Category: Newsletters

City of Bath Pétanque Club
Newsletter No 33 October 2017

Note from the Chair – Chris McGinn

We are now drawing to the close of the competitive part of the year and overall, I think it can be said that the Club as a whole has progressed.

The number of members is gradually
increasing and this is likely to continue as we all take the opportunities to welcome and encourage friends and family across the board.

I have been very pleased to hear from new members, how pleasant an experience it was in joining the Club and being made to feel so welcome.

Queen Square continues to be a positive recruiting ground and our weekly sessions have been well attended. Unfortunately, this year the weather has not been kind and we will have reduced income from this source, but sufficient to cover the Councils hire cost.

Your Committee plan to hold a one day session at Larkhall, in the winter, to take a good hard look at all facets of activities at the Club. This is necessary if we wish to continue to progress.

Executive Committee

There will be no meeting in October. The meeting referred to above by Chris will take place on 20th November, with a 10:00 start. Please watch out for further details in next month’s newsletter.

Flagpole

Don’t forget to return your flagpole designs to Terry – t.basson@btinternet.com by December 31st 2017.

Information on Playing Events 2017

Melees

The next melee will be on the 7th October at LSC – Registration 9.45 start at 10.00. Entry fee £3, Winner receives £20. All members welcome together with friends and family.

Summer Doubles

The Summer Doubles is now up and running. Please see www.cobpc.leaguerepublic.com for details.

Thursday Night League

Now the Thursday Night League has drawn to a close perhaps it’s the ideal time to consider getting together with friends and entering a team of your own for next summer. If you are not sure what that entails then have a chat with Chis McGinn and see the Tante Agonie article later in this newsletter.

GWR Winter Doubles

GWR Winter Doubles will take place again this winter with the format of 8 competitions at various venues, 3 before and 5 after Christmas with initial competition on Nov 5th at the Red Bull Inn, Malmesbury. Other
dates and venues to be announced later.Games played in all weather except thunder & lightning, or piste is unplayable eg. due to flooding.

Entry fee is £40 per team with a maximum of four players per team. Entries to lee@3points.co.uk by 28th October.

Social Events

The LSC are holding a New Year’s Eve party in the club house starting at 20:00 at a cost of £5 per head, (bring and share your own finger food). Contact cliveburge57@yahoo.co.uk for further details.

Umpire Course

There will be an Umpires Course on Saturday Nov 18th at Cricklade Leisure Centre 9.45am – approx. 17.00.

This is a refresher course for existing umpires but also new candidates are very welcome. It is mandatory for all existing umpires to attend at least 1 refresher course this year, and this is the last one, otherwise your umpire licence may be suspended.

Course fee – existing umpires free, all other candidates £20 payable on the day.
This will be followed by an Umpires exam the next day also at Cricklade Leisure Centre starting 9.45am prompt. This will consist of both written and verbal/practical elements.

If you would like to enter for the course and/or exam or would like further details please email : susannemckechnie@hotmail.co.uk Closing date for both 10th October.

Tante Agonie

We have another letter seeking advice from our very own Tante Agonie:
“I am keen to set up a new team to play in the Thursday Night league next summer but don’t really know that much about the format and level of commitment that will be required. Could you explain the basic points to me.
Newcomer Queens Square”

Dear Newcomer

The season runs from May through to August. You will need a minimum of four players in your team, but it’s best to have a squad of say six or seven that way you can cover for holidays etc. Matches start at 7pm with two doubles games running in parallel, followed by one game of triples and one game of singles. Games are not timed so occasionally the match may finish a little after 10pm if all the games are closely fought.
In terms of standard, all new teams start in the lowest league, which was League 4 this summer, but who knows with the continued popularity we may need an extra league next season. Generally there are eight teams in a league, matches are played home and way so that is a commitment to play on 14 evenings across the summer months.

Last season was my first and I found it both great fun and an opportunity to visit the other venues and play on different surfaces.
I hope that helps.

Tante Agonie

Facebook

Please note that new postings have been made on the club page, you do not have to have a Facebook account – just click on the link http://www.facebook.com/bathboules

Weekly times of play

Larkhall Sports Club
Saturday 10.00am – 12.00pm
Tuesday 10.00am – 12.00pm

Queen Square
Wednesdays11.00am – 1.00pm

Dates for your Diary
7th October – Melee, LSC, Registration 09.45

Editor – David Knight
david@bathboules.co.uk

City of Bath Pétanque Club

Newsletter No 35 December 2017

Note from the Chair:

We are coming to the end of an eventful year, in which we as Members can be justly proud. Membership has grown to over 100, making us the largest EPA club in England.

This can be partially attributed to the excellent camaraderie shown by you all when welcoming new members into the Club. Several new members have been complimentary about the kindness shown to them.

2018 will bring new challenges, but I’m confident we can pull together to overcome these. As the Club continues to grow we need your support to help run it. Any offer of time or services will be greatly appreciated. Please contact a committee member if you are interested.

As we are now a bigger club, one of our goals was to appoint a Playing Manager,Clive de Silva, to improve our playing status, so that we achieve results in line with our size. Please give him your whole-hearted support and I feel certain that if we do, we will all benefit from his experience and knowledge of the game.

The Festive season is now round the corner and on behalf of COBPC, I wish you all a very happy Christmas and a prosperous 2018.

Executive Committee

The next Committee meeting will be held on 18 January 2018. Please email sally@bathboules.co.uk   if you have anything you would like the EC to consider.

Information on Playing Events 2017

Melee

The next melee will be on the 9th December at LSC – Registration 9.45 am start at 10.00 am. Entry fee £5 to include mulled wine and a mince pie. Winner receives £20. All members welcome together with friends and family.

New Doubles Ranking Competition

The club will be holding a competitive doubles league starting from 1st January 2018. As each league will comprise of six teams, each team will be required to play five matches over a three month period. If you would like to enter please contact Clive with your entry. All details can be found at www.petanquebath.co.uk. Please also note that the current and recently updated documentation for the doubles league and the new rankings system can be found on the website.

Thursday Night League

All members who have not been part of a team in the Thursday League may wish to consider getting together with other like-minded members and form a new team, in this very enjoyable competition. It is quite low key and taking part can only improve your play, whilst enjoying the camaraderie of your team members and the opposition. A meeting of the Thursday League, prior to the season, will take place in March 2018 at Larkhall. Prospective teams are encouraged to attend and join in the formulation of the plans for the forthcoming season.

Tea and Coffee Rota

 A bank of helpers are needed to take turns on a rota, to set out tea & coffee, every Tuesday and Saturday morning at Larkhall. At present one person does this and it would be a great help if this task could be shared. If you can help, please email Mary at mary@bathboules.co.uk .

Social

Queen’s Square Xmas Special

Our final game of the year at Queen’s Square will be on Wednesday 20th December. On that day it has become something of a tradition for  members attending to wear something festive  and to bring along Xmas nibbles and/or drinks.  If wet we will meet at Bonghy Bo, 2 Barton Court, Upper Borough Walls, BA1 1 RZ, but don’t be late as we are obviously not able to book tables in advance.

New Year’s Party

Larkhall Football Club and City of Bath Petanque Club are jointly hosting at LSC, a fun evening of games and a quiz. Complementary glass of fizz at the stroke of midnight on the terrace to watch fireworks over the city of Bath. Bar open from 8 pm. – 1 am. Music to dance along to. Bring along finger food to share. Tickets £5 each, see Terry or Clive for tickets.

 New Year’s Day boules and a meal

There is a New Year’s Day tradition of playing boules in Queens Square, at 12 noon, followed by a meal at Brasserie Blanc, Francis Hotel at 1.15 pm. Players usually bring along wine and light nibbles to share on the piste before the game, (fancy dress optional). A limited number of places have been booked  so If you want to go please give your name to Christine Cox by Friday 15 December, at the latest. If it’s too wet to play, the meal in Brasserie Blanc will still go ahead. Her email is: chris57@blueyonder.co.uk .

Sweet Pea Competition 2018

Following on from the success of the last two years, our third Sweet Pea & Party day will be on Sunday 24th June, 2018.  Seed is already available from the shed at LSC.  Price £5 for ten seeds of three varieties. You don’t have to purchase seed from the Club to enter, you can buy your own seed by all means. Seeds can be planted now or in the New Year.  Speak to Richard Patrick to purchase seeds and for a few tips on how to grow them.

Tante Agonie

Dear Confused from Bathampton,

Thank you for your question,

Q. “Can you explain this? Some people insist on putting the ring over the Cochon at the start of

each game but others don’t. I am confused , what should I be doing?”

A. Article 7, Valid distances for the thrown jack

The team that is going to throw the jack must erase all throwing circles near the one it is going to use.

For the thrown jack to be valid, the following conditions apply:

At the following end the jack is thrown from a circle drawn or placed around the point where it finished at the previous end, except in the following cases:

– The circle would be less than 1 metre from an obstacle.

– The throwing of the jack could not be made to all regulation distances.

In the first case the player draws or places the circle at the regulation distance from the obstacle.

In the second case, the player may step back, in line with the previous end’s play, without exceeding the maximum distance authorised for the throwing of the jack. This opportunity is offered only if the jack cannot be thrown to the maximum distance in any other direction. If you want more clarification either speak to one of our coaches or look at the EPA website:

http://www.englishpetanque.org.uk/information.html

I hope this has gone some way to alleviate your confusion.

Weekly times of play

Larkhall Sports Club

Saturday 10.00 am – 12.00 pm

Tuesday 10.00 am – 12.00 pm

Queen Square

Wednesdays 11.00 am – 1.00 pm

Dates for your diary

Melee – 9th December, LSC, registration

9.45 am.

___________________________________

Editor – David Knight

david@bathboules.co.uk

City of Bath Pétanque Club

Newsletter No 15.  June 2016

A word from The Chair:

The CoBPC Club Night is Monday at LSC where we coach or just come to play games and socialise. The Brunel team play home matches on Mondays so it is a chance for the whole club to get together.

If you are not up to a game then the bar is always open for refreshments.

Club Trips.

Our club trip this year is to Germany from September 29^th to October 4^rd.

If you have not yet booked and would like to come please contact Diana diana@bathboules.co.uk for more information. They are always good fun and you will meet some of our visitors from the 2015 Anniversary Cup.

Team Manager Notes:

Larkhall Doubles.

A doubles competition in aid of the LSC tractor fund starts 1.30 pm on Saturday June 4^th, £5 entry fee, this is aimed at getting new members from the Larkhall area and for our own members. Email your entry to diana@bathboules.co.uk

Singles ladder: Greg Haynes with 3 wins is now 2^nd. If you wish to join in, put your name and phone number on a card on the bottom of the ladder and start by challenging one or two above.

Club Doubles Competition:

Final – Jim & Helga v Clive and Richard.

Plate final – Don & Thelma v Robin & Frances.

Club Triples:

Entries close this weekend. Each round is 2 weeks and you can substitute, so get your team together. Rules are on the website. Send your club triples entries to mgbath_uk@yahoo.co.uk.

Brunel Team:  After 6 matches we are 6^th in the Table.

BTBL:  The Sham Boules are top of Div 3, well done to Captain Nigel and his team.

Coaching: Test your skills, how good are you and do you need some help?

June 6^th Skills assessment. See how well you are doing.

The coaching team will be discussing the future programme on June 8^th. Please let Don or a coach know if you have any suggestions don@grimes.org.uk

Notes from the Executive Committee:

Next Committee meeting July 1^st

The committee have approved expenditure for 5 picnic benches. They have been delivered and installed in time for the 4^th June event.

Diane Greenaway is appointed Events Manager, so please contact her if you would like to help.

Please send any requests for discussion to Sally Woodward sally@bathboules.co.uk

 Facebook. t.basson@btinternet.com

Parley Visit June 22^nd

We visited the Parley Club in Bournemouth last year and the return match is at LSC on Wednesday 22 June from 10.30 to 4.30pm. The £10 entry fee includes refreshments, lunch and tea. Please let Don don@grimes.org.uk know if you would like to play. Please see our website for more details.

Events:

June:

CoBPC Doubles Competition Final.

CoBPC Internal Triples Championship starts.

4^th Larkhall Open Doubles, LSC, 1.30pm.

4^th Boule Uk Doubles, Ship Inn.

12^th GWR Triples, Cricklade.

18^th Boule Uk Triples. Codrington Arms.

17 ^th – 19^th Big Bath Boules charity event Q/S.

22^nd Parley Club Visit.

25^th Boule Uk Doubles, Filton.

July:

1^st Twinning event Q/S 6pm (we organise).

2^nd Melee 1.45 (Chris McGinn Leading).

10^th Generation Cup 1.45pm (see website).

16^th GWR over 50 Doubles, Ship Inn.

17^th GWR Mixed Doubles. Ship Inn.

All EPA & GWR events are open to our members.

Club Squad GWR Doubles:

Well done to Diana & Alex and Chris & Christine for reaching the main competition Quarter finals, and to Jim & Helga who beat Mike & Mark in the Plate final.

EPA Nationals:

Congratulations to Frances & Mary who were runners up in the Plate final.

Newsletter Editor: don@grimes.org.uk

Next edition: June  16th

City of Bath Pétanque Club

Newsletter No 12.  April 2016

A word from The Chair

It is good to be back playing again, and really great to see so many members playing at LSC and in Queen Square.

We are looking forward to welcoming members of L’Autre Chemin Club Alkmaar to the melee in Queen Square on 23rd and the Spring Open competition on 24th.

Charlcombe Lane is closed 18th April to 13th May for toads

Facebook

You do not need to have a Facebook account to view the Club’s facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/bathboules

Coaching

The coaching team have put together a programme over 10 weeks. If you wish to take part please be at Larkhall for 7pm.

Beginners every other week.

April

11th – Skills Assessment 1, Rained OFF

18th – Skills assessment 1 & Beginners

25th – Lobbing/Channel Pointing/Shunting

May

2nd  – Bank holiday, no coaching

9th –   Shooting & Beginners

16th  – Shooting Revision/Side spin

23rd – Tactics & Beginners

30th – Bank holiday, no coaching

June

6th – Skills Assessment

Monday Club Nights have now started: 7pm at Larkhall. Coaching available from 7.00 to 7.45 for those who want it, but please be on time.

Please bring friends and family – plenty of space for youngsters and there will always be coaches on duty.

Next Committee meeting April 27th

Please send any requests for discussion to Sally Woodward: mikewoodward53@talktalk.net

AGM Correction: members will be consulted on the club’s legal entity then the club rules will be reviewed by a working group. An EGM will be called to discuss and vote on the new rules

The  AGM minutes will be sent to members.

Website

Website www.bathboules.co.uk

The website is now updated with current news and events. Many thanks to Mike and Jeremy for their work on this. If you have any comments please let  Mike know: mikewoodward53@talktalk.net

Team Manager Notes

Singles ladder:

This is now in the club hut. Put your name and phone number on a card on the bottom of the ladder and start by challenging one or two above.

The Club Doubles competition starts in May, send your entry to mgbath_uk@yahoo.co.uk.

Rules will be on the website. Entry fees to Mark.

Events

April

CoBPC Singles ladder starts (open to all).

23rd – Race to Hayling at Red Bull

23rd – Melee 1.45 Queen Square with Alkmaar visitors (open to all)

24th – Spring Open Competition at Larkhall

May

CoBPC Doubles Competition starts (open to all).

5th – BTBL starts 7pm

14th – Melee 1.45 Larkhall  (open to all)

22nd – GWR Doubles & GWR Juniors 09.30 Larkhall (open to all)

28th – EPA Singles ISCA Exeter

29th  – EPA Doubles ISCA Exeter

30th – EPA Mixed doubles ISCA Exeter

All EPA & GWR events are open to our members

Where/When We Meet:

Larkhall

Saturdays – 10.00 to 12.00

Monday Club Night – 7.00 to 9.00

Tuesdays – 10.00 to 12.00

Queen Square

Wednesdays 11.00 to 1pm

Newsletter Editor:  don@grimes.org.uk 

Next edition: May 1st

A word from the Chair

As the weather warms up, more and more members are coming out to play! Sadly the last 2 Wednesdays in Queen Square have been rained off, but numbers are increasing at Larkhall on Saturdays and Tuesdays.

Terry reports that the number of views of our Facebook page now exceeds 3,600 since opening it only 5 months ago. This is where to find photos of club events and more detailed news.

You do not need to have a Facebook account to view it, simply click on this link:
https://www.facebook.com/bathboules

We look forward to seeing you at the AGM on 30th March. Papers will be emailed out this week.
______________________________________

Spring Open Triples Competition
Sunday 24th April at Larkhall 9.15 for 9.45 am start. 5 pm finish

Please send your entry forms to Alex Robertson by 9th April.

If you wish to play but don’t have a team, let Don know:
don @grimes.org.uk

______________________________________
Monday Club Nights: start on April 4th 7pm Larkhall.

Coaching available from 7 to 7.45 for those who want it, but please be on time.
Please bring friends and family – plenty of space for youngsters and there will always be coaches on duty.
______________________________________

Notes from the Executive Committee meeting
Club Shed: The electricity supply will cost approximately £1000. Thanks to LSC for offering to supply labour to keep costs down.
Spring Open: Le Bistrot Pierre have agreed to sponsor the event.
Club Sign: A club sign and logo have now been fitted to the end of the shed.
Next Committee Meeting: the date of the next EC meeting will be fixed after the AGM
______________________________________

Team Manager Notes
The singles ladder will start in April and runs through to September. It is a fun competition, open to everyone, and not too demanding. Email Mark if you would like to enter: mgbath_uk@yahoo.co.uk
Thursday league. Last chance to enter a team or if you want to play but do not have a team, contact Mark
The terrain in Alexandra Park has a lovely show of daffodils – a great chance to play on a different surface and enjoy the views.
______________________________________
Events

March
20th GWR AGM 230pm at LSC
30th CoBPC AGM 7pm at LSC

April
CoBPC Singles ladder starts
2nd Melee 1.45 at Larkhall
4th Monday Club nights Start, 7pm
10th Race to Hayling at LSC
23rd Race to Hayling at Red Bull
23rd Melee 1.45 Queen Square with Alkmaar visitors
24th Spring Open Competition at Larkhall

May
CoBPC Doubles Competition during the month
5th BTBL starts 7pm
14th Melee 1.45 Larkhall
22nd GWR Doubles & GWR Juniors 09.30 Larkhall
28th EPA Singles ISCA Exeter
29 EPA Doubles ISCA Exeter
30th EPA Mixed doubles ISCA Exeter

______________________________________
Newsletter Editor don@grimes.org.uk

Next edition: April 1st

Notes from the Chair
The AGM notice has been emailed to members and any resolutions to the AGM need to be sent to diana@bathboules.co.uk by 15th March. The agenda and all the relevant papers will be sent out to members by mid-March.

If you are interested in joining the committee, you will need to complete the nomination form and send it to Sally Woodward by Monday 28th March at the latest. You will need to be proposed and seconded by other CoBPC members.
———————————————————————
Coaching Team News
Congratulations to Mark Gilbert & Greg Haynes on becoming EPA coaches. They will join the coaching team on Monday club night sessions from 4th April onwards.

Melee
The first mélée of the season will be on Saturday April 2nd at Larkhall Sports Club. Registration is at 1. 45pm, start at 2pm and finish by 5pm. Entry £3
A mélée is when all names are put in a draw and given a number. Each player is then teamed with 2 others to play. We play 4 rounds each time with a different sets of players each game. It is a good way to get to know others and to introduce new members to the club.
The winner is the person with most wins. If a draw then points difference applies. Winner wins £20.
__________________________________________
Membership
Membership Subscriptions: are now overdue. Easiest way to pay is by bank transfer: you can pay the whole amount (£30) and Cary will sort out the EPA and GWR local precepts.
Please put your surname as the reference.

City of Bath Petanque Club, Sort Code 40-09-44 Account Number 90213977
__________________________________________
Newsletter editor: Don Grimes

Next edition: 15th March

Next Committee Meeting
If you have any items you would like discussed by the committee, please email Sally (Club Secretary) mikewoodward53@talktalk.net
______________________________________
Team Manager Notes
If you would like to play for one of our Thursday league teams, would like to start a new one or need a partner to enter competitions or for any playing matters contact Don don@grimes.org.uk
or Mark mgbath_uk@yahoo.co.uk.
___________________________________________
Facebook (you don’t need an account)
https://www.facebook.com/bathboules
___________________________________________

Events

March
6th  – Rules Awareness, LSC (free to members)
10th – BTBL AGM 7pm LSC
13th – Race To Haying, Codrington Arms
20th – GWR AGM 2.30pm, LSC
26th – Boule Uk Doubles, Codrington Arms
30th – CoBPC AGM 7pm, LSC

April
CoBPC Singles ladder starts
2nd – Boule Uk Triples, Tollgate Inn
2nd – Mélée, Larkhall 1.45pm
4th – Monday Club nights Starts 7pm LSC
10th &23rd – Race to Hayling.
23rd – Mélée Queen Square 1.45pm
24th – Spring Open Larkhall
30th – GWR Singles, Horton

___________________________________________
When We Meet
Larkhall –
Mondays Club nights 7pm from 4th April
Tuesdays (NB new time)10am to 12pm. You are welcome to bring your own lunch. The bar will be open. (RP Diane Greenaway)
Saturdays 10am to 12pm. We vacate at 12 if football is on otherwise you may stay on and play in the afternoon (RP Cary Bush)
Queen Square – Wednesdays 11am to 1 pm. Refreshments available in the Harington Club. (RP Chris McGinn)

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There will be a responsible person (RP) in attendance for all Club events who will keep a list of names and brief newcomers on safety.