May 2021 Newsletter

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