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CoBPC reach the final in Aix
CoBPC beating Tubingen to reach the finals against Aix en Provence who they lost to narrowly in the final. Played under floodlights the match eventually finished after midnight.   May 2014

Greetings!
  
This is the Christmas special in which we take a light hearted look over some of the events during the previous year. For further information click on the links below.

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Upcoming Events during December and January              
               
UpcomingEventsJanuary 1 2015 12.00 a.m. Queen Square

New Years day.

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 A fancy dress family boules match on Queen Square . Kick off Midday! Bring and Share nibbles to toast our 

first game of Pétanque 2015!

 

Regular Events

Every Wednesday morning 11.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. Queen Square.

The regular Wednesday morning boules has now returned to Queen Sqaure. New members welcome

Every Sunday morning 11.00 a.m. to approx. 1.00 p.m.  Alexandra Park

Esperanza Isaac and Tony Ambrose have recently started an informal gathering at Alexandra Park for those members who wish to play a couple of friendly games. It is open to all members and friends with the option to join a group and have lunch afterwards at the Bear on Bear Flat. Just turn up and enjoy a game and retain those skills learned during the summer break.

Sunday 21st December at Alexandra Park. Come along and join in

 

Our Pétanque picture library                
PetanquepicturesI am the keeper of the COBPC pictures. I am not sure if I was officially elected or it all came about by default?

I now have hundreds of happy days stored away in what has become an archive of smiling faces and cup/ medal holder achievements!

As we reach the end of 2014, I flipped fast through the pictures like "what the butler saw", but sad to say, I have never caught a partly nude Boules player, but who knows what 2015 may reveal. 

My other disappointment is, that I rarely  get to be in any of them - tears flow.

On a brighter note, "what the butler saw" took me into a valley of joy when I realised how much fun over the years I have had amongst you all.

you all.

Our club enjoys touring far away places in Europe to meet and make friends in all four of Bath's twinned cites.

These tours have given us so many extended Pétanque hand shakes which we hope to repeat when we meet again to celebrate our City of Bath Pétanque Club's anniversary of ten happy years in 2015 which will be taking place at the club's new home up at Plain Ham with 'The Larks'!

I leave you with a very rare sight of one of of my most fascinating  pictures taken on tour in Jersey.

A Boule Mountain, unbelievable but true, to occurred during a competitive  game. I raced over to find my camera to get this shot of a lifetime that many have never seen the likes before.

Looking Back over the City of Bath Club during 2014                               
Lookingback

Recently a group of intrepid members agreed to take on the job of revitalising the club communications.

Starting with the December newsletter we have decided to look over 2014 with a light hearted review, in pictures of what has happened and have applied a film title to each one.
The Great Escape  (1963)
In April of this year the club received a grant from Sports England which will result in the building of a new terrain at Larkhall Sports ground which will be completed mid 2015                   
Allo Allo  (1982 - 1992)
Here we see Terry trying to impersonate René from that famous BBC series.
The wild Bunch (1969)
 The club started the regular season with an open melée  which was won by David Baldock (left). He was joined by David Basson and Jim Canham          
We're are all going on a summer Holiday  (1963)
 Ron Hopkins, a new member to the club in 2014 helps out at the Tournament held for our visitors from Guernsey. Ron's umbrella came in to its own when the sun came out.               
Lost in Translation
In August an overseas team from Germany entered the Bath Open finally making it a truly international event. Whilst favourites to make the final they fell at the semi final but have vowed to return.

The Hustlers  (1961)
 The annual GWR Triples took place in July with the winners being  ......   No not this group they just posed for the pictures!!!                  
The Maltese Falcon  (1941)
The second spy in disguise (He looks rather like Jim Canham) sitting next to the former chairman of Guernsey Pétanque Club during our visit in September.                 
Some Like it Hot  (1959)
Parting with money for a pint is never easy as Jim found out in October when the club held its inaugural skittles competition to raise money for the new terrain.                   
Paths of Glory (1957)
Tony Ambrose hands over the most improved player's trophy to Greg Haynes who received the nomination at the end of season dinner in November                   
Champion (1949)
Judy, who joined the club mid way through the year, won the November skittles competition at Larkhall Football Club
All quiet on the Western Front (1930)
Cary about to launch his boule as he prepares to get his partner out of trouble in the mist of Guernsey.                
All Points West
Following the notification of our grant in April Points West interviewed a number of players as well as filming some activities which was shown on Points West                  
The Tax Collector  (1987)
Often spotted on Queen Square every Wednesday Chris ensures the kitty is regularly filled.



The French Connection  (1971)

Not adverse to a little publicity the club has a report of its trip to Aix en Provence published in the Bath Chronicle in early June. 

The Third Man (1952)
 In the middle of the year a couple of our members formed a spy ring within the club. Highly elusive and always in disguise MI6 have still not detected them.               
A Cheese Romance (1921)
Lesley has represented the Club on the Twinning Group for Aix en Provence and was invited to  the
launch of the Twinning Collection at the Library, where each Association represented their twin country.  Hence the Brie.


The Young Ones  (1961)
In October both Di Greenaway and Terry Bassoon arranged an open invitation at Homewood Park and here are 2 of the young players who participated                    
The Wizard of Oz  (1939)
 Many club members have different skills as David Greenwood proved when he organised and served the BBQ for the visit of our guests from Guernsey in July                  
The grave robbers   (1988)
During October and November the club was forced to vacate Queen Square while it underwent extensive renovations costing in excess of £100k.                 
A Good Year (2006)
And as we enter 2015 we would like to wish everyone in the club, our friends and fellow Pétanque players a very happy new year.
A Star is born  (1954)
In March we were lucky enough to be invited to a Master Class, conducted by Jerome Rouseau, which a number of club members took advantage to improve their skills.                   
Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence (1983)
The club was welcomed to the Larkhall Football clubhouse and bar by Clive Burge (also a CoBPC member)  as the start of our tenancy at the ground                 
The Godfather  (1972)
 The annual trip to Aix en Provence cannot be complete without Rosé and here Papa Don shows how to pour a glass.                  
Roman Holiday  (1953)
In the middle of July the club received members of another club, Guernsey. Our visitors were treated to a tour around the city, a BBQ at Larkhall Football Club, several games of pétanque and a Gala dinner at the Bathwick Boatman
Batman  and Robin  (1997)
If anyone can tell us where this picture was taken we would be most grateful as would Batman.
The Graduate  (1967)
Andy Gutteridge , who joined the club in May is seen here playing in the plate final of the Thursday League in September.                    
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly  (1966)
In November Mary and David Baldock spent several hours trying to persuade David Basson (son of Terry) to join the club. Well at least it was mentioned.                 
The best years of our lives (1946)
 In October a group from the club visited Hungary for the first time. Terry and Di reached the semi finals and finally succumbed at the end of a long, hard but worthwhile day.                 
The Wild Bunch  (1969)
 In November members of the club pose for their picture which will be exhibited at the Bath University for the next 100 years as part of the Picture in the Paper Project                
Trouble in Paradise (1932)
In December a place was reserved in the Bath Christmas market for a team from Aix en Provence. A umber of club members volunteered to help out during their stay                   
Othernews                Other News              

 Coaching DVD's for sale.

Coaching DVD's can be obtained for £5 and anyone interested should contact Cary Bush at cary@bathboules.co.uk
New Club Shirt
From 2015 he club will have a new colour club shirt. Terry is modelling the sample shirt. Details will follow
Christmas Dinner
Thanks go to Chris McGinn who organised this years end of season event which was held at the Huntsman. A record number of members and friends attended just short of 50. We also had the pleasure of welcoming 3 of our friends from the Aix en Provence Twinning Committee.
Dinner with Aix Tourists
 During a recent visit to Aix en Provence several of the club members met up with a group of local Petanquers who will be visiting Bath in 2015 as part of our 10th year anniversary celebrations. Many of the players are already known to us and we will be looking for a umber of club members to help support our visitors during their stay.               

 
Sincerely,
 
Cary,Terry and Mary
City of Bath Petanque Club