Having missed last week’s postponed game due to the soaring temperatures we slotted it in this morning. 

Battling to be heard above the roar of the council workers cutting the other side of the hedge from where we play we decided to give it a go.   10 of us divided into two teams (one of all ladies and the other of mixed gender).

Ladies (team A) pitched first but team B took the end by 2 points.    The hedge cutters must have taken pity on us and ceased their work in that area temporarily which was a great relief.  Team B continued to win every end, scoring a further 3, 6 and 2, thus winning outright within 20 minutes.   

This gave us time to have a further game and the ladies team rallied strongly and at one time we were standing at 9 points each and that was only due to the mixed team (B) gathering  6 points at one end.   Another 2 ends confirmed Team B as the winners again and we finished before the rain started.

Our next playing time will be next Monday at 10.15 am on the pitch behind the library.   Its an hour or so of fun.   Just turn up and join in.   All welcome and you could be the one with the hidden talent for the game.   This is your reminder as I won’t be around next week.

Enjoy your game, Ken. 

 We are due for another game of boules on Monday (18th) at 10.15 on the pitch behind the library.

If the forecast proves correct it may be too hot to be comfortable.    However, I’ve been on a little scout around this morning and found one or two small shady areas where we could play on grass.     That’s the beauty of boules, you can play on most surfaces.

I will be there on Monday and wait a short time (max. 10 mins) to see if anyone joins me.  It’s your choice entirely.     Should you arrive later and can see no one about check the area behind the Cenotaph war memorial as we may have moved there.   If you do wish to play I suggest long sleeves, a hat and maybe a parasol.   Plus some water.

If we don’t go ahead we could try an alternative day.

Several players have now called off playing on Monday due to the forecasted hot weather and the government and NHS advice not to venture out unnecessarily during the height of the sunshine.    I think it would be wise NOT to play in these extraordinary circumstances and cancel Monday’s game.   I hope you are all happy to agree.    Ken.     

I’m hoping the weather may be cooler next week and so I’m suggesting that yesterday’s postponed game be rescheduled for this coming Monday (25th) at 10.15am on the pitch behind the library.   Hope to see you there.   We will then get back on track and make the following game 7 days later (1st Aug) and fortnightly thereafter, ie the 15th, and then decide whether or not we play on the Bank Holiday Monday or perhaps the Tuesday (30th).

 Our next scheduled meeting is due on 4th July at 10.15am on the pitch behind the library.  Hope as many of you as can will be there.   I know that at least 4 of us will be missing (including  ourselves). 

We shall  be travelling home from holiday on that day hence this early notification and as we will be moving around whilst away I may not always have a connection.

Ken and Chris

Next petanque game is set for this Monday, 20th, at 10.15 am on the pitch behind the library.   As usual, all are welcome to join in so see you there.   Ken. 

Just for a change Chris and I arrived early to give the pitch a rake over and pull a few weeds before members started to arrive.   

It was an absolutely glorious sunny morning and we gathered a total of eleven members on the pitch so we split into the usual two teams, one of ladies and the other of mixed gender.   The ladies began by winning the first and second ends by one and two points respectively before the other team clawed back a point followed by a further four!

We attracted several interested bystanders including one lady who came across to enquire of what we were doing.   She was talked into throwing a boule before moving off.  Another member wandered by and we managed to cajole her to play on the mixed side to even up the teams. 

Play continued with some VERY close calls.   At one stage we had boules of opposing sides actually touching the Jack together.    We certainly had a lot of measuring to do on several ends to determine which boule was in the holding position.    Several gasps on occasions as we couldn’t believe how close we were getting with our aiming. 

Moving on three or four more ends the score was 10 - 5 against the ladies and then it was almost single point scoring until the eventual winning team was declared - the mixed group.    Well done.

More fun and giggles in store when we play again on 4th July.    Join us then.    K&C. 

 Hi there, Petanquers

Just a reminder that we’re due to play again on the pitch behind the library at 10.15 am next Monday (6th) so get your bowling arms ready.     Newbies welcome, as always.

Remember we play fortnightly on alternate Mondays so mark up your diaries NOW!

Hope to see you there.   Ken. 

A baker’s dozen of us collected together this morning for our bi-weekly game of boules.   Quickly breaking down into two teams - with the ladies being given the advantage of the extra player - we were off.     4 points to the men after the first end followed by a 2 and then three ones putting them 9 points in the lead.   Far from feeling despondent the ladies rallied and with many “oohs” and “aahs” over very close calls scored 8 points over the next four ends.   The men then countered with a further 3 bringing their score to 12.   So close to winning!   

 The next end was going so well for the men when Sandra threw a magnificent googly which scattered the boules in every direction but meant that it gave the ladies a vital one more point.     It was all down to the last game, which following one or two close calls, the men proved to be the overall winning team.

So many laughs had been enjoyed in an hour and a half’s play that it really didn’t matter who had won.   

Join us again in a fortnight (20th) at 10.15 am on the pitch behind the library.   See you there,  Ken

A dozen of us (plus a dog) gathered on the boules pitch this morning ready for another hour’s fun. A quick division into 2 teams, A and B, and we were off with team A scoring the first point. Elation was very soon deflation when the Bs came back with 3 points on the next end and maintained the lead to the bitter end. Mind you, there were many tense moments due to some very close calls and quite a lot of time was spent with various measuring implements to determine just whose boule was the closest to the cochon (the Jack to you). Anyway the final score was 13 - 5 to B team so it was congratulations all round to them and with cheery goodbyes as we departed. Join us again in 2 weeks at 10.15 on Monday 23rd of this month. Ken.

We’re playing petanque again next Monday (9th) at 10.15am on the pitch behind the library. Come and join us. The more the merrier. Guarantee at least one laugh and a smile even if its only over something stupid I’ve done. Ken.