Newsletter No.30 ~ 2nd November 2020
Disappointing news to open with, although hardly a surprise. As the country goes into a second lockdown as from Thursday 5th November, reluctantly the club will close following the session on Tuesday 3rd November. We will review when we can re-open, hopefully early in December, depending on the Covid 19 situation pertaining at that time. Please do not attend the club during the lockdown.
On 11th October, four players from our club took part in the Pétanque England National Mixed Doubles at Gravesend. Wayne Marshall, together with Di Smith; Soeli Leverett, with Steve Slade; and Keir Gale and Jill Butt fared well in the face of stiff competition. A week later, eight players from our club took up an invitation from Worksop Arena to play in a three way match with them and players from Mansfield. Nottingham came first overall, with Bill Spencer and Jill Butt second in the pairings. It was really good to be playing competitively again and we hopefully can host a return fixture sometime. Incidentally, a warm welcome to Soeli, our newest and youngest member, who has recently moved to Nottingham for university.
As you will know, our Firecracker Triples had to become a doubles event because of Covid restrictions on numbers, but it did take place on 31st October despite bad weather during the day. Fourteen pairs took part, with Julie Bridges and Roy Eyre finishing third, Christian Seville and Chris Brown second, and Jill Butt and Keir Gale finishing first. All had five wins on the day, with the placings decided on points difference. Well done to all who took part and thanks to those members who prepared the pistes for the day, to Elaine and Carol for keeping us supplied with tea and coffee and for scoring, and to Bryan Hodges for organising the day.
Looking further ahead, our Annual General Meeting will take place in January – somehow – and again subject to the state of the pandemic, Pétanque England will be hosting the Home Nations Qualifiers here on 9th May, with another event taking place on Saturday 8th May, details of which have yet to be finalised.
Hoping to see you all again soon – and in the meantime stay safe !
Neil