City of Bath Petanque
January 2013
Thursday Night Presentations   
In This Issue
Brunel League
New Years Day on Queen Square
Thursday League
Bath Open - August
Jersey Open - May
Club's participation in the Brunel League
Many of you were involved in a survey asking for your feedback on the club's participation in the league and the type of facilities that you would like to see. Many of you are interested in playing for the club in the league and the survey results are attached for those of you who would be interested in seeing the members' views.
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Greetings!

  

A Happy New Year to all Club members, it was great to see some of you on New Year's Day in Queen Square in sunshine which we hoped would be a good omen for the year - then came the snow which made Bath look very pretty but impossible to leave! I was stuck for an hour last Tuesday on the Park & Ride bus on Wellsway, eventually gave up and walked.

Your committee has met and started planning a packed year of events, trips and fundraising, so keep your eye on the newsletters and check out the website for up to date information on events - do join in when you can.

I'm particularly looking forward to the trip to Aix-en-Provence, which hasn't been confirmed yet, but possibly 20th-25th May. The various French Club presidents are meeting with the Twinning people this week, so we should hear soon. So if you're interested in joining the trip this year, please let me know  - it won't commit you, but I will then send out information as I get it so that you can make an informed decision.

This year we will start off the season, currently proposed on 21st April with a Club melee - a fun tournament for members to get a chance to meet each other and play with different players - a good way to improve your game!

Not long till Spring - I've definitely seen some snowdrops, the daffodils can't be far behind!

Best Wishes,

 

Lesley Hall
 

Chair

New Years day  on Queen SquareNew Years day 
ByCary Bush

As is customary at this time of year a number of club members gathered in Queen Square to see off the New Years Eve festivities with a pie or two, Pastis and "whatever" On a beautiful and mild winters day we participated in a knock out competition which was eventually won by Mark Gilbert, Jim Canham and Alex Robertson. After the festivities we retreated to the New Inn for an ale or two and a competitive reciting of limericks won by Diane Greenaway


 

There once was a group of old fools,

Who thought they were good at French Boules

But they had a great test

As the ladies were best

So tears from their eyes made big pools.  

Thursday League
By Chris McGinn (League Secretary)

This is the time of year, when we look forward to regular Thursday Boules. 2012 was difficult, in that the weather spoiled our enjoyment to some extent, but nevertheless, most teams completed their fixture schedule.

 

Last year we had two divisions of 6 & 9 teams. This season, we hope to have an even number of teams, the number of divisions depending upon how many teams enter. It would be preferable to have leagues of six, playing on a Home and Away basis. For this to happen, we need three more teams to come forward, making 18 in all, whilst retaining those who played in 2012.

 

Please do your best to consider starting a new team either yourselves or by bringing along some new recruits to join in. In addition, if anyone would like to think about running a team at Claverton Down or Limpley Stoke, then please contact me. Both these villages have pistes of their own, but nobody was prepared to Captain the teams and do the legwork.

 

At present, I am aware that the Northey Arms propose building a new piste and enter three teams in the League, one more than last year. Diane Greenaway, is also to captain a new team, based at Alice Park.

 

The Doubles competition will take place, as in the past, following completion of the Leagues. The venue for the finals will be advised later in the year.

 

Please make most of the opportunity to play regularly on a Thursday. There is no doubt it has brought about a rise in playing standards, which will enable the club to develop and become a force, both in the Region and in a wider context, throughout the whole country. 

Bath Open - August 18th
 
The Bath Open will be on the 18th August involving 32 teams. Diane Greenaway has voluntereed to take on the organisation of the event and planning for the event is already starting to pick up.
As the event is one of the main fund raisers for the club your committee have decided that now is the right time to upgrade the event while involving more members to make this a memorable competition. If anyone would be interested in helping either in the planning or on the day could they please let Diane  Greenaway know.
Further details will be available in the next newsletter. 
Jersey Open
Jersey Petanque Club 
by Cary Bush
For the third year in a row a number of City of Bath members will be visiting Jersey to enter the Jersey Open on May 4th followed by the open melee on Sunday. For those who still have not had enough will be playing at the Carrefour Club on the Monday.
Members will be leaving on Friday May 3rd and staying at the Oomaroo Hotel in St Helier - the Hotel is a unique experience in itself. A bus is arranged to take guests to the pistes on Saturday and Sunday. An awards dinner is also held on the Saturday night at the Hotel and while not free is worth attending. The melee gives you a good opportunity to meet many other players on Sunday as you will play 4 games and different teams are selected for each round. An excellent lunch is also provided on the Sunday BUT unfortunately not free.
On the Monday you will have the opportunity to play at the Carrefour club which took over an old bowling club and have created some very impressive facilities. Return to Bath will be on Tuesday.
6 members have already signed up and a number of players will also be travelling from the Saxons club. If anyone is interested please contact Cary Bush ([email protected])