Petanque 1
1pm - 3pm THURSDAYS in Marble Hill Park
1pm - 3pm MONDAYS in Redlees Park
Sometimes in Diamond Jubilee Gardens
This is a large group but there are VACANCIES. We play Summer & Winter.
Group Leader: Caroline Cunliffe
If you wish to make contact please use the email connection on the right hand top corner of this webpage.
Basic tuition for the game of Petanque (French Boules) with friendly games organised. We are a large informal social group but many of us do regularly play at competition level. In retirement playing Petanque regularly is not only good exercise in the fresh air but the fun, laughter and joy it generates is a bonus and many of our group feel it has definitely enhanced their lives.
Petanque is the quintessentially French version of the game of boules. Metal balls are thrown close to a jack. Simple and easy for beginners but be warned, it can take a lifetime to perfect the deft art of the game.
Our History: Started the group in March 2013 but by June 2015, nine members from the Pétanque group took part in The Londonaise International Pétanque Festival held at Barnard Park in Islington, competing with teams from Gibraltar, Hungary, Belgium, Sweden and France. English teams from Kent, Chilterns and the London Region, including French-London teams also played, 64 teams in all, including 3 World Champion Pétanque players.
April 2016, twelve members from our group travelled to Malmesbury, Wiltshire for a few days to take part in inter-friendly competition games with U3A Malmesbury, Cirencester, Fairford and Highworth (Swindon). We have built a close association with U3A Malmesbury.
We were also invited to play at the Upper Thames Boules Club at Royal Wootton Basset.
June 2016 Sherston Boules (Wiltshire) 192 Players took part overall. The village is closed to traffic, covered with sand forming 32 pistes and games played throughout the day. A few of us have continued to take part annually 2017, 2018 & 2019.
September 2016 twelve members from our group took part in the first ever U3A National Petanque Championship held on Hayling Island and distinguished themselves by taking the Gold Trophy as overall competition winners. 162 players took part. Other members of our group won the 'Leisure Boules' category also receiving an award. We have continued to take part in this event annually 2017, 2018, 2019. These occasions are always great fun and there are circa 175 players competing within 52 triple teams from 16 or so different regional U3A's. Competition is stiff but we are delighted with a little success once in a while.
May 2017 seven members were invited to La Turballe France for 7 days to take part in daily competitions including playing with the French club Esto-Petanque La Turballe. We returned in 2018 & 2019. Players from various groups attend but Richmond players achieved best overall male player and two best joint overall female players. In 2019, Richmond again achieved best overall male player and best female player.
Over many years we have maintained our links via competition with U3A Malmesbury, U3A Bournemouth including the Muscliff Club and Oxshott Petanque Club. We continue to take part annually in The London Cup, International Women's Day and London Club Competitions held at Vauxhall.
Covid curtailed play during 2020/early 2021 either completely or with very reduced numbers. Since that time we have attracted many new members and the group has been revitalised. We have a new venue and competitions are organised for later in 2022.