Newsletter No.31 ~ 13th May 2021
It’s been a long time since the last club newsletter so as life hopefully returns to some sort of normality, here’s an update on what is happening at the club. Although there is to be a relaxation of restrictions as from next week, we still feel we cannot open the cabin, and ask that you continue to bring your own refreshments to club sessions. Because of this we are still not requiring you to pay £1 per session, but your voluntary contributions are most welcome. Thankfully we have been able to recover some of our lost income through your generosity, and I hope you will continue to support the club in this way. Please remember that we must abide by the rules, so the one-way system is still in operation, no crowding on the deck and respect other people’s space. Six new members have joined the club in recent weeks – Chris Brown, Malcolm Dowsett, Jackie Rischer, Andy & Janet Sherwood and Robin Winter. Welcome all. Paul Bult has now joined the Committee, and following Peter Newton’s resignation as Treasurer, Margaret Newberry has come back on Committee and has agreed to take on that role. Tony Vanns has also been appointed to the role of Vice-Chair. Many thanks to Margaret and Tony, and to Peter for his contribution to the work of the Committee. Thank you to all who helped to carry out some maintenance on the pistes last week. They are looking better. Although we are hoping that our weedkilling programme will be carried out shortly, please take a moment when playing and pull out a weed or two where you can. It all helps to make the site look more presentable. On the playing side of things, the Thursday Pairs League will commence in the coming weeks. We have entered two teams – Riders and Reivers – both placed in Division One – and those folks who registered an interest in playing will be called upon over the season as games progress. Good luck to all club members playing in the Mercia Champion of Champions Singles, Shooting and Doubles competitions this weekend, and in the first round of the Inter-Regional Qualifying Competition the following Sunday. We intend to enter the Eurocup competition again, but still have to play our final game in last year’s competition in August. Look out for details, but remember this and some other competitions are only open to Pètanque England licence holders, so perhaps think about improving your skills by getting a licence and joining in. Thinking about our competitive edge, we are going to trial a slightly different arrangement for our Sunday afternoon sessions, when on the first and third Sundays in the month, we will offer the chance for some coaching, to commence after the afternoon tea-break. This will stand the club in good stead, and will help players to improve their game and tactical awareness. We are fortunate that Paul Bult is a qualified regional coach, and has offered to help with this initiative. Of course, if you don’t want to take up this offer on those days, normal social play can carry on as normal. The Home Nations qualifying competition is not taking place this year, as has been the case at the club for the last few years, but Mercia Region have asked us to host their International Women’s Day Doubles Qualifying competition on 17th July. Our own Open Weekend will take place on Saturday 3rd July for the Doubles Competition, and in a new venture we will be running a Triples competition on Sunday 4th July, Flyers and entry forms will be going out this weekend, and these are Open Competitions for anyone to enter, and you do not have to be a PE licence holder. However, for club members only, we have pencilled in Sunday 27th June for a club melee, and Sunday 8th August for a “pick’n’mix” competition in which players will be allocated to teams by a random draw at the start of play, and stay in those teams all day – more details to follow. A lot to take in but hopefully more regular newsletters will keep you in the picture about what’s happening. Enjoy your game, and stay safe ! Neil
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