Anyone trying to argue that rugby is not Bath’s sport of choice can expect to incur the wrath of a city proud of a heritage that will be 150 years old next year. However, within drop-kicking distance of The Rec, a second ‘sport’ grips the residents of Bath to such extents that its players can often be seen plying the gravelled playing areas until the dark hours of most summer evenings.
Rather less physical and more well-mannered than its oval-ball counterpart, pétanque has long since been established as a popular pastime for the Bathonian who would rather choose gin over gym. The game is enduringly sociable, affably competitive and is often played with an eye on closing time at the nearest hostelry. The only scrum is the knot of furrowed foreheads knitted together over a cluster of tightly grouped boules, desperately trying to fathom which sphere has crept closest to the tiny coche.
Across Bath, several gravel pistes host competitive matches throughout the summer. Serene Alexandra Park, on Bear Flat, is known as a luscious deep playing area with spectacular views over the city, whilst the sparse and unreliable surfaces within busy Queen Square often draw intrigued spectators, many of whom are foreign to the city and are captivated by this quintessentially French yet somehow very English game. A new floodlit terrain is currently being developed at Larkhall Sports Club, with the help of a £23,185 grant from Sport England. Such luxuries will be warmly welcomed by anyone who has ever relied on passing car headlights when completing a closely-fought game in the dark.
As well as summer-long leagues which often provoke Bath vs. Gloucester levels of rivalry and sportsmanship, a two day affair in the midst of summer has become a popular tradition and a raging success. Bath Boules is a non-profit event that raises money for local charities; it has become so popular with local boules teams and businesses that online registration for this year’s competition was open for just one hour before all of the places had been snapped up. Based in Queen Square, the games spill over onto the rugged footpaths and mossy arteries which sprawl around the bustling arena. Pleasingly sponsored by, amongst others, Champagne Jacquart, the weekend represents all that is brilliantly social, fun and slightly eccentric about the game.
As for Reside, we have a band of five fearless, if rather erratic, boules joueurs who compete in Bath’s Thursday League. We are also proud to be a sponsor of Bath Boules 2014, and look forward to being involved in this fantastic tradition for the first time this year.
Those wishing to investigate this genteel, good-natured and entertaining recreation can visit The City of Bath Pétanque Club’s website where more information can be found about how to join in.
If you happen to see our fleet of five pétanque pros gathered in Queen Square, trying to claw their way back from the brink of another defeat against one of the seasoned campaigners who we often find ourselves up against, please do pop by to watch and say hello. We also post weekly updates on our progress on Twitter because this is Bath’s second sport, after all.
