| Why Sweet Peas? Find out in this month's newsletter |
|
|
|
|
Greetings!
This is our third newsletter of the year and we seem to receiving more and more requests to include information. Whilst we are able to write the articles we really do need help from you the club members. All you need to do is write the article, which the newsletter team will consider and then include providing it is thought it will be of interest to the members.
Articles in this newsletter
|
Club AGM
The Annual General Meeting of the City of Bath Petanque Club will be held on Wednesday 25th March, 7pm at Larkhall Sports Club, BA1 8DJ.
This is a very exciting time for the Club with a number of important developments on the horizon. The proposal to incorporate the Club as a Company Limited by Guarantee is key to the Club's future, and will result in some changes in the way the Club operates. We hope that you will be able to attend the AGM and contribute your views.
Nomination forms for the committee members / Directors need to be returned to Diana Lockwood before 23rd March
either by mail to
Diana Lockwood
11 Hensley Road
Bath
BA2 2DR
or by email diana@bathboules.co.uk
The meeting will end at about 8.30 pm, followed by light refreshments.
|
Latest Update on Larkhall Hall Piste
 | |
View towards the club house where the pistes will be placed
|
We have just received the revised plans from the engineer (attached). Have a look at these and see what has been proposed. These have now been sent to Andrew Peters (our architect) and the planners (BANES) have advised that we will have to submit a new application. We have also been advised by Sports England that we need to request new bids for the work although the requirements are less than on the previous rounds. It is still proposed that the construction will happen during May and be completed by the time of our 10th year Anniversary.
Back to the top
|
Members Profile
 Hi, I'm Andy Gutteridge and although I already know some of you, let me introduce myself ... I'm a single guy, living with my two cats near Weston Village where I've been for 5 years after growing up in Bristol and spending my working life so far in the South East.  I earn my living as a consultant in Learning & Development and Business Change although I prefer to think of myself as a writer and photographer ... and the sooner I can leave work behind to do just that, the better! As for boules, I started playing last Spring and am currently in the winter doubles, after reaching the plate finals of the doubles last summer. This year I'm entering pretty much everything I can find, although I'll be balancing that with getting out on the hills and indulging other loves such as movies, music and technology. With boules, one of my big interests lies in how we can attract younger people into the game so we can bring the sort of energy and vibrancy to the club that only comes with a multi-generational group. See you on the piste sometime!
Cheers
Andy
|
Thursday League
The AGM is at 7 pm 5th March at Larkhall Football Club .The league commences on May 7th & should be completed by September 24th.
1 Teams attending roll call
2 Last season's comments
3 Teams in each division
3 Proposed rules for 2015
4 . Proposed local change to EPA rule . If Jack is thrown illegally i.e. not 6 to 10 metres the opposing team may place where they wish between 6 to 10 metres. Reason saves time continuing throwing especially on sloping pistes.
5 Fixtures ,.Start May 7th . Discuss playing doubles in August and finish league in September or reverse . Reason holidays in August may decimate teams.
6 Doubles competition rules.
|
| | Thursday League Entry From |
|
|
Club Fees
Annual Club Dues
The system for payment of the annual dues remains exactly the same as last year with the exception that the fee has increased from £24 to £30. This includes your EPA membership (£18) and a contribution to the region of £2.
Members can pay 1 of 3 ways
- Give or send Cary Bush a cheque / cash for £30. If by mail to 11 Dunsford Place, Bath BA2 6HF
- Transfer £30 directly to the clubs bank account Name of Account: City of Bath Pétanque Club Bank: HSBC Sort Code: 40-09-44 Account Number: 90213977
- Pay the EPA & Regional portion on line (£20) and let Cary have the additional £10 (using either of the methods shown above.)
Queen Square - Wednesday Contribution
Over 2 years ago the council decided that the club should pay for the usage of Queen Square on a Wednesday morning. Members have the choice of either paying a £1 each time they play or a lump sum of £25 which allows you to play any Wednesday you wish in 2015. Monies are collected by Chris McGinn.
|
Overseas Club Trips
Jersey
After a year's absence a number of club members will be attending this event which includes a doubles competition on Saturday, a melee on Sunday and a triples competition on Monday. If anyone is interested in entering the competition could they please let either Cary Bush or Di Greenaway know.
For details of the club visit their website and the entry forms can be found on their site
If you are attending and also interested in playing details of the competition are also attachedAix En Provence
The tour is on, the Germans are coming, and hopefully some other nationalities! We are still waiting for confirmation of the programme, but have agreed the following dates: Playing: Fri 15th to Mon 18th May. Travel : Thurs 14th & Tues 19th, but you can go early & stay later if you like- possible trip to Marseille on Tues 19th.
Travel options
- Early flights from Gatwick by EasyJet
- Early flights from Heathrow by BA
- Rail by Eurostar
- (there's also Stansted - nightmare to get to)
Accommodation suggestions
1. Adagio Aparthotel - good for couples/sharers
2. Large shared apartment for singles (own room) - Lesley will arrange, please email if you want to join in - works out cheaper than hotels.
3. Own arrangements - try Airbnb or HolidayLettings.co.uk for private apartments, Booking.com for hotels.
4. Hosting in a French home may be possible
Book your travel or for further information email Lesley lesley-hall@hotmail.co.uk with your dates and accommodation preference.
Guernsey
Organisation of the tour has been finalised by Diane Greenaway and there are two spaces still available. If you are still interested in joining the tour please contact Diane directly
Alkmaar
The Club is planning a tour to Alkmaar in the Netherlands from 2nd to 6th October. Alkmaar is one of the 4 cities that are twinned with Bath, and is a beautiful city well known for its cheese market, canal-side walks, and windmills, with plenty plenty of cafes and bars to sit and enjoy the scenery. The trip is timed to coincide with the liberation celebrations (music, parades, fun and games in the market square) that take place over that weekend and on the Monday. The open doubles competition that attracts players from far and wide is on the Sunday and we have been invited to take part in a friendly melee at a local club on Saturday. There are regular KLM flights between Bristol and Amsterdam, and a good train service between there and Alkmaar. We plan to stay in a hotel the city centre. If you are interested in joining the tour, or would like more information, please contact diana@bathboules.co.uk
Back to the top
|
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
Every Sunday we have 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. Just turn up and enjoy a game and retain those skills learned during the summer.
We have already visited a number of local pubs in the vicinity of Bath and are planning to have a review of these excellent eateries over the next few newsletters.
Back to the top
|
|
Our Piglet (Cochonnet) corner
Dust if you must.
Dust if you must, but wouldn't it be better,
to paint a picture or write a letter,
bake a cake or plant a seed,
ponder the
difference between want and need?
Dust if you must, but there is not much time,
with rivers to swim and mountains to climb,
music to hear and books to read, friends to
cherish and life to lead.
Dust if you must, but the world's out there.
With the sun in your eyes, the wind in your hair,
a flutter of snow, a shower of rain,
This day will not come around again.
Dust if you must, but bear in mind,
old age will come and it's not kind,
And when you go - and go you must,
You, yourself, will make more dust!
Anon
Back to the top
|
|
Photos of the month
Do you have any photos that would bring some amusement to your fellow club members? If so send them to the editorial team.
|
|
|
A Princess in 'The Catharine Wheel'
| 
|
|
|
|
Is it Terry's yellow trousers that makes his Boules turn to Gold?
| | 
|
|
|
The Godfather and his other half.
| | 
|
|
|
Joke of the Month
| |
The Obedient Wife
There was a man, who had worked all his life and saved all of his money,
He was a real miser when it came to money. Just before he died, he said to his wife..."When I die, I want you to take all my money and put it in the casket with me. I want to take my money to the afterlife."
So he got his wife to promise him, with all of her heart, that when he died, she would put all of the money into the casket with him.
Well, he died.
He was stretched out in the casket, his wife was sitting there - dressed in black and her friend was sitting next to her. When they finished the ceremony, and just before the undertakers got ready to close the casket, the wife said,
"Wait just a moment!"
She had a small metal box with her so she came over with the box and put it in the casket. Then the undertakers locked the casket down and they rolled it away. Her friend said,
"'Girl, I know you were not foolish enough to put all that money in there with your husband."
The loyal wife replied,
"I always keep my promises.I cannot go back on my word.. I promised him that I was going to put that money into the casket with him."
The friend replied, "You mean to tell me you put that money in the casket with him!?!?!?"
"I sure did," said the wife.
"I got it all together, put it into my account, and wrote him a cheque."
|
|
|
|
Sweet Peas
|
|
 Over the last couple of weeks you may well have heard a number of passing comments about the vagaries of growing sweet peas with skullduggery going on in an attempt to sabotage the other's attempts.Why sweet peas? Well, two years ago a couple of our club members decided to have a competition amongst themselves to see who could grow the first sweet pea blooms of the year with the winners putting on a cream tea for the losers. Odd way round you may well think but it was a novel competition. This year for the first time an additional 2 club members have entered the competition.
Would you be interested in taking up the challenge for next year. this is open to Club Members only. If so please talk to Terry Basson or Jim Canham.
|
|
|
Generation Cup
| | 
Strong interest has already been expressed by a number of members in a generation competition which will help encourage younger players to join the club. If successful we would look to expand it in 2016 when we have our new pistes at Larkhall Sports Club. The Competition will consist of teams of 3 with one from each generation, Grandparent, Parent and Child. As it will be a new competition it will not be limited to club members. If you would be interested in participating in such a competition could you let either Terry Basson, Cary Bush or Mary Bradridge know so that we can try and plan the competition.
We would also like to know when you think the competition should take place, the format as well as the type of entertainment that should also be put in place.
|
|
|
Sincerely, Cary Bush
City of Bath Petanque Club
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
