Think pétanque and you might just conjure up images of old men in rural French villages playing a game on a summer evening. But a local group aims to challenge this preconceived idea.
Since moving into its new home in the grounds of a pub two years ago, Norwich Petanque Club has seen its membership soar…beyond generations and nationalities.
The Norwich Bowls Club which meets at The Cottage pub in Norwich
– Credit: Sonya Duncan
The club attracts young and old alike, with members faithfully turning up every week in the lush gardens of The Cottage, just off Thunder Lane in Thorpe St Andrew, to take part in a league game or, thanks to its incredibly hospitable hosts , have an impromptu game when they feel like it. Member ages range from 6 to 94 and you are guaranteed a warm welcome whatever the weather.
“What we love about it [The Cottage] it’s that we’re based there, we have a clubhouse, floodlights, we can play all year round and we have a great relationship with them,” says chairman Paul Reeve, who is also chairman of Petanque England . “Because it’s in a pub garden, we can also eat and drink, and it’s a really social environment.”
Paul Reeve, Chairman of the Norwich Bowls Club
– Credit: Sonya Duncan
A real game of skill and precision, the objective is to score points by having the balls closer to the target (goal) than your opponent after all the balls have been thrown.
Pétanque is played in parks, or in dedicated facilities called boulodromes, which are 15 meters long and four meters wide. The floor looks like a beautiful ash parking lot and The Cottage has plenty of it. The winning team gets one point for each of their balls that is closer to the jackpot than the ball closest to the losing team. The first to 13 points wins.
“People think its origins are French, but it’s actually a Greek and Roman game,” says Paul. “The Romans introduced it to France.
“It’s more than a sport for the French, it’s a way of life. In villages all over France, people play every night. My wife [Jill] and I got there late in my life,” he says. “I first played in my twenties. I’m now 75 and we got there about three years ago. I remember playing a game about 50 years ago!
The Norwich Bowls Club which meets at The Cottage pub in Norwich.
– Credit: Sonya Duncan
The club meets frequently. Wednesdays are club nights, but there are also Wednesday morning games which see members compete against other teams from across the county. Championship games take place on Thursday evenings and classes are available for children on Sundays.
The Cottage itself is an old farm building which became a pub in the 1930s. It is surrounded by woodland, providing an almost secret natural refuge tucked away in this outskirts of town.
Petanque offers many advantages, being easy to learn, requiring very little equipment and often encouraging the start of new friendships. “You just show up and someone helps you figure out where and what it is,” says Paul.
It’s an accessible sport, but that doesn’t mean it’s only competitive and highly tactical as you level up. A match could see a youngster playing against someone much older. You don’t need to be in good physical shape – as long as you can walk, stand and move your arm, you can play. All you need are comfortable clothes and shoes.
The Norwich Bowls Club which meets at The Cottage pub in Norwich
– Credit: Sonya Duncan
The Norwich Bowls Club which meets at The Cottage pub in Norwich
– Credit: Sonya Duncan
“You can come in and see someone limping on the track, but don’t let that fool you,” says Paul. “We had a player who had a walker and was brilliant!”
The club is playing its part in bringing people together in the community, going to great lengths to unite those who have felt lonely after the pandemic.
“It’s a sport that people, especially those with post-Covid mental health issues, stress or who suffer from loneliness can get involved in,” says Paul. “We have people who have had a stroke or who have been bereaved. You can do something that has very little physical impact and allows you to meet people and play and talk, and that’s really important.
“One of our biggest motivations at Pétanque in England is to do things for communities and help people in need, and it’s a sport that lends itself to that. No matter who you are, you can come and have fun.
Paul is responsible for 17 regions across England and hundreds of clubs where people play and socialize, although it’s not a role he intended: “I volunteered for the club committee of Norwich I was elected president and in the national board elections they elected me! he’s laughing. “I’ve only been playing for two or three years, but I ended up being the head of sport in the country!”
The club is looking to expand its membership and is open to welcoming new members. For those who want to go for the first time and try it out, Wednesday evening is best as someone will be on hand to show you the ropes. Membership is £20 for the year which means you can turn up and play any day of the week at any time.
members say
Vice President Sharon Thorndyke
– Credit: Sonya Duncan
Sharon Thorndyke, Committee Member and Vice-Chair
“We really want to encourage young people to practice this sport. On Sunday afternoons there are lessons for the children to come with their parents, and there are very good young players who play with their families.
Melissa Teillet
“The club reminds me of childhood memories in France:
“I didn’t know there was a pétanque club here and I came on a Wednesday a year ago and loved it! I played in France when I was little with my father and my friends – we went to the pétanque club in town.
“I love coming here because it’s not far from my house, it’s surrounded by trees and it’s very relaxing. When I come here I can disconnect for a few hours, it’s really social and everyone is very nice and friendly.
“I hadn’t played in ages, but the people here helped me improve. They gave me advice and I felt welcome from day one. I like that there is a pub here and you can also have a drink together.
“Coming here is nostalgic for me because I used to play with my dad, and every time I come here I have that feeling. I can’t see my parents often, so it’s really nice to be able to play.
Member Richard Jeffery
– Credit: Sonya Duncan
Richard Jeffrey
“We have lived here for 19 years. We used to come to the pub, and we saw bocce and kept saying we had to come. Then we had a flyer through the door with a Come and Try day in 2017. My wife and I came down and gave it a try and we are now playing in league and national competitions.
“It’s a simple game in essence, but the more you get into it, the more tactical it becomes. If you’re playing in triples games, you need to think about your partners’ strengths and weaknesses and play accordingly. You have to think about what your opponent wouldn’t want to happen next and try to do it, then predict what they will do.
“The social side is great, and here in the pub you can have a beer and good food. A lot of clubs play in pubs, and after a league game we often have sandwiches and a drink together, so it’s very social.
“It’s a game that young children and older people can play, and it’s a good game in terms of accessibility if you have a disability. We’re constantly trying to bring in juniors and more players, and we’re slowly reducing that, so we’re getting a good mix now!”
Jallal Member
– Credit: Sonya Duncan
Jallal Tallan
“I joined the team a year ago, and I played before in Morocco where we play a lot. It’s great to play the game with people here because they’re so helpful and friendly, and it’s helped me settle in Norwich.
