A SPORTS club founded in the last century in a village near York plays “a most convivial game”, according to one of its players, who issued a call out for new members.
The Fox Pétanque Club in Stockton-on-the-Forest was formed in 1997 and originally met at the rear of The Fox pub, before relocating to the rear of the village hall car park where its members now play.
The national association for England describes pétanque as being “played with hollow steel balls known as boules, and a small wooden target ball or jack.
“The game is usually played on a gravel-topped terrain at least 12m long, but this need not to be a purpose-built area and pétanque can be played informally on many other types of surface, such as a sandy beach.”
“It builds friendships, is sociable and a fun way to enjoy some light exercise and can be played socially or at a higher level if so desired – we enter a team into the York & District League and the newly formed East Riding league.”
Pauline said there are no special requirements to play other than flat-soled shoes (with no open toes) and the club can supply the boules.
She said: “Once a month the club holds an all-day four-game melee when members from other local clubs are invited to participate.
“Our treasurer runs it - names are picked out of a hat, and the players, who may not have met or played each other before and get involved in two games either side of lunch.
“All the scores are counted up at the end and a winner is crowned."
Pauline said the club would be delighted to hear from players of any abilities - beginners through to more experienced players - who would like to play “this most convivial game”.
Anyone who is interested should email rayandpaulinegilpin@outlook.com.
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