News from City of Bath Petanque Club

City of Bath newsletter

July / August, 2014

Greetings!

What a last couple of months, competitions, competitions, competitions. This is probably one of the longest newsletters we have ever written as so much is going on. The piste at Larkhall is progressing, albeit slowly but your committee are determined that it will be a showpiece and that it must be built for not only the current club members but also future generations.

The Bath Open (Raven Triples) is the next on the calendar in the middle of August followed by the culmination of the Thursday League at the beginning of September followed by the club tour to Kaposvar in October and the end of season dinner at the end of November.

During the past couple of months the Club has run the inaugural Twinning Trophy, hosted the Guernsey Petanque Club and supported the launch of the Westfield Petanque Club.

And... on top of this we still have 2 club melees to go, ongoing sessions at Queen square on Wednesdays (26 people attended on July 23rd - a club record) and coaching and playing sessions on Monday nights.

A Bientot

Lesley

Development of Larkhall Piste

Artists impression of the new piste

Over the past few months many of you have heard of the exciting project being undertaken by the club to build an international size piste at Larkhall Sports Club which will also allow the club members the use of the clubs facilities such as the club house, toilets car parking etc.

It is the intention of your committee to keep you all abreast of how we are proceeding to realise this vision. As we stand today

We have received confirmation from Sports England that we will be receipiants of a grant for £23k
The club has successfully registered as a Community Sports Club, which will allow it to claim back tax on any gift aid such as donations
A number of members have pledged funds to help with the development
The design for the terrain has been completed although we are still looking at some alternative options
An application has been submitted to BANES for planning permission as the actual land drops by 2 metres and restraining walls may be required
A separate sub committee has been set up to look at some alternative ways of raising additional funds.

While a number of challenges still lie ahead of us the committee are determined that while the completion of the project could be delayed we will build a world class terrain that will leave a lasting legacy for the club and for the members of the future.

Bath Open 2014

Winners of the 2013 Raven Triples

The 2014 Raven Triples (Bath Open) is nearly upon us and hopefully the weather will be as good as it has been over the last few years as well as the last few weeks.

32 teams have already signed up and registration will start at 9.00 a.m. on the morning of the event with matches starting at 10.00 sharp. Teams will be selected at random and play 4 matches in the morning and depending on their results will be placed in the main and plate competitions in the afternoon. A Consolage will also be run for those teams that lose their first game should they wish to continue. Lunch will also be provided for all entrants.

As this event is also run to raise funds for the club there will also be raffle with all winners being selected prior to the afternoon games.

If you are not playing, come along to cheer on your fellow club members. Additionally all help will be welcome as it takes time and effort to not only set up the tournament but also ensure it is successfully run through the day.

Thursday League

End of season Dinner and Doubles Competiton

The league is nearing the end and the doubles will be played on Queen Square from August 7th to 21st and has already sold out. If you have not entered you can still come along and admire the skills on show as well as enjoying a few drinks on the summer evening followed by a couple more at the Harington Club.

The doubles finals, dinner and the presentations will be held on September 4th at the Northey Arms. As in previous years the numbers for dinner will unfortunately be limited (due to space). Details of the menu will be sent out separately but book early to avoid disappointment.

Chris McGinn will be your point of contact

Visit of Guernsey Pétanque Club

Guernsey PTQ Club at Queen Square

During the brilliant weather over the weekend of July 12th & 13th we hosted the Guernsey Petanque Club. What a weekend they had, planned and arranged to an exceptional standard by Di Greenaway, they visited the city on Friday, bus trips, boat trips, restaurants and the Roman Baths and that was just the first day. A Melee was arranged for the Saturday afternoon won by Greg Haynes (no, not from Guernsey but he paid his entry fee and he won the substantial cash prize).

In the evening we were entertained to a superb BBQ at the Larkhall sports club and despite a quick thunderstorm we were fortunate to be able to continue eating and drinking in the clubhouse. Our visitors, many who were visiting Bath for the first time commented on the opportunity available to the club as well as the splendid views from the club. Thanks go to David Greenwood and his team who ensured that the event was a success.

'Larking Around' - Winners of the Triples

On Sunday, a triples tournament was organised in Queen Square, 4 matches in the morning followed by a knock out in the afternoon with the main competition in the afternoon won by 'Larking Around' (Clive Burge and Richard Patrick with their star player from Guernsey - Sheila Cave). To finish the day's play in typical French style and to celebrate Quatorze Juillet, (Bastille Day for us non French) pastis, donated by le jJumelages Aix-Bath, was handed around and gulped down. The day finished with a grand finale dinner at the Bathwick Boatman.

Thanks go to David Greenwood for organising the BBQ but special thanks must go to Di Greenaway who organised the weekend and ensured that everything went without a hitch.

Club Melees

Monthly Melees

The remaining 2 club melees will be held at Queen Square on Sept 6th and Oct 4th. Anyone interested in entering should come to the Square at 1.45 p.m. to register. Entry fee will be £3 per person with the best player over 4 rounds winning £20. Competition is open to anyone.

David Baldock (left) - winner of the May melee

Diana Lockwood (left) - winner of the June Melee

Inaugural Twinning Competition

Alkmaar Win the Inaugural Twinning Competition

Bath's four twinning associations competed against each other in a pétanque competition in Queen Square. The event which was held for the first time in June this year, was instigated by Hilary Elms from the Braunschweig Twinning Association.

Players had been given guidance and coaching by the City of Bath Pétanque Club in preceding weeks, and took advantage of the warm sunny evening to play against teams from each of the 3 other associations.

The Alkmaar team emerged as winners, with the Aix-en-Provence and Kaposvar teams joint runners up. The trophy, given by the Charter Trustees of the City of Bath, was presented by deputy mayor Councillor Lisa Brett.

It was agreed by all those playing that the event will be repeated in 2015 and hopefully will be an even bigger event.

Westfield Pétanque piste Open Day June 1st

A new pétanque piste has been built by Westfield Parish Council at their recreation ground, and on June 1st they held an Open Day to attract local people to have a go at the sport. They asked our Club to provide support and coaching for the day.

Diana and I arrived in our smart coaches kit, and gradually people began to arrive, some enthusiastic, some a little hesitant, and all ages and abilities. We showed small groups how to play then divided them into teams to play games, engaging new arrivals in turn.
Diana coaching juniors

It was great to see so many youngsters getting interested in the game, and whole families playing together. There were tea and cupcakes to keep us going, and an ice-cream van too.

Many local councillors attended, they took names and are confident that a group of players will be formed to make full use of the new piste.

Lesley Hall

Club Trip to Kapasvar - Hungary

The club will be visiting Hungary from the 21st October until the 27th. This will include a couple of Petanque competitions as well as the opportunity to visit Budapest, Pecs, Kapasvar and Balatonfured.

The Initial schedule has been proposed as follows but will change as the plans are firmed up.

21st Petanque / Free

22nd Kapasvar reception

23rd Petanque / Free??

24th Travel by bus to Balatonfured

25th Competition

26th Free

27th Bus to Budapest & home

Currently there are about 12 club members on the tour and if anyone is still interested they should contact Don Grimes for further details or call his mobile 07973 342349

Club Dinner

November 28th 2014

This years club dinner is planned for November 28th 2014 at Martini's restaurant - upstairs. We are still in the process of putting together the details which will be sent out early October - make a note in your diary. However should you be interested in attending you should contact Chris McGinn and place your name on the list.