KENT PETANQUE ASSOCIATION

ISSUE No.57 MARCH 2011

The “William Bunting Memorial Competition” organised by the Seal Petanque Club at the WHITE ROCK INN at Underriver. This could have been the first Sunday of Spring, but it was not, cold with a wind blowing. However a very good turn out of 27 teams from several Clubs, including Croydon P.C., Harriers P.C.,Meadows P.C. ,Seal P.C., Hartley P.C., Meadow P.C,Tovil, PC Lordswood P.C. A credit to the name of William Bunting that there was a very good turn-out that looked to be more than expected, with 8 pistes squeezed onto the terraine meaning a few sitting around waiting for a spare piste. However the White Rock Inn is a good pub with a large number of customers turning up for a Sunday Lunch. A very picturesque setting for Petanque in the Kent. KPA GAZETTE Page 1

Seal Petanque Club were delighted to host 54 players at their Doubles Competition at The White Rock, Underriver, Sevenoaks on a cold, grey Sunday morning on 6 th March. What used to be known as The Apetito Shield has now been re-named The William Bunting Memorial Shield to commemorate the long time Seal PC ex-Chairman who sadly died towards the end of 2010. It proved to be a day of intense competition eventually coming down to a tough final between Rashid Hannache and Dave Chalkley against Steve Tait and Didier Thaler from Seal, with Rashid and Dave winning the Shield by 13 points to 4. Corrine and Tracy of Meadow PC beat Mike and Howard of Seal PC 13-12 to take the Plate. Despite the cold, Susan Bunting kindly stayed to present the Memorial trophy to Rashid and Dave together with £100 prize money. Conditions at The White Rock would have been more comfortable had the weight of the Winter snows not brought down the normally heated outdoor marquee that usually covers the outdoor seating. A new marquee is due to be installed shortly. Dave Martin, Seal PCs Chairman said “ It was very pleasing for us to welcome so many friendly faces to play and commemorate William, who was one of the real characters of the game in Kent. Our apologies to those who were left in the cold after lunch. With only 8 avail- able Pistes we were to some extent victims of our own success, but it was a great turnout and thanks to all who came to remember our friend William. The event will be repeated next year … but warmer!” REPORT BY HOWARD SANDOM

Not the full minutes………………..but a few notes for the information of KPA members. European Cup final date is 3rd April. KPA funds stand at £9160 plus a Junior fund of £1623. Following on from a meeting of the KPA Playing Commit- tee who deliberated on the 2011 calendar, it was now the turn of the Management Committee to discus and finalise. Likely to be rewards for the overall top team of the Regional Triples Qualifiers, after round 5, as being the entrant for the Champions of Champions and the team for a representative place at the Dunkerquoise. Definite that The George P.H. at Meopham will not be hosting a Regional Triples Qualifier this year. New for 2011 will be a “10/ten” Tournament on 4th September at Hartley. Sponsorship for events was discussed with a suggestion to aim at “small” sponsorships amounts for individual events, to be investigated. Recorded that there are still vacancies on the KPA Management Committee, and ways to fill these posts will be investigated. Recorded that Jenifer Cooter (Star Meadow P.C.) is due to compete in the European Fe- male Espoirs Qualifier. Lordswood P.C. has been approached to run four 1 hour sessions on the sport for a local youth group. Next KPA Management Committee meeting will be 14th April at Lordswood Club at 8pm. And yes you CAN-ALL-JOIN-IN….as a KPA member you are welcome to attend. KPA GAZETTE Page 2

The “COLYERS ARMS P.H.—Betsham, the starting place for a nice morning drive very early on a cold spring Sunday on the way to Underriver. As many will remember, the Colyers Arms P.H. was a top venue for petanque in North Kent, and many of the top players played there. At a quick glance over the picket fence you can just about make-out where the pistes were under the piles of rubbish, rusty metal and general throw-away consumer crap. The pub is closed and re- cently boarded up. The pub bearing the proud name of Cpt. Thomas Riversdale Colyer- Fergussen V.C. of the “Northamptonshires” killed in the First World War at the age of 21, and buried in the Menin Rd. South Military Cemetery, Ypres. Cpt. Thomas was the third son of the Colyer-Fergussen family of Ightham Mote. Local hero name for a pub !

On the road, through Longfield, Hartley and Ash, onto the old A20 and a quick right turn down the lane to Ightham. Local knob- head fly tippers have used light blue plastic bags that will colour co-ordinate with the bluebells that will be out in a couple of weeks . KPA GAZETTE Page 3

And into the village of Seal and the sad looking “CROWN P.H.” boarded-up with nowhere to go. The Crown, home to SEAL P.C. was one of the original petan- que venues in Kent. Twenty years ago, a large Club with twinning arrangements with Clubs in France and Belgium. The Crown was never a swanky trendy pub and is doubt- ful that it could be reborn as a smart gastro pub. The Crown was an honest-to-goodness local where regulars would go for a chat, a few pints and a smokoe ! Notice the pub a few doors away has also closed down in sympathy…...you can hear them now ….”we like to drive out to a country pub and have a half pint of their best bitter and a ploughman’s ,glad to see that the smoking ban has discouraged the local ruffians”, They never did drive out to the Country pub very often, even less now…...guess the ruffi- ans congregate at the local bus shelter now…..for a can or two of “export” and a few fags and a top up with recreational chemicals. At one time village pubs were part of the origi- nal “big society”, even if your clothing was minging from cigarette smoke, and even if a few drunk drivers were let loose at closing time. Times they are-a-changing ! And on the road through Seal, down a very long lane to Underriver, this lane has got to be one of the delightful rides in Kent, either by car, bike, motor bike, or just a long walk……. and by the looks of it the fly-tippers give it a miss…..however not guaranteed….and the hidden voice from the sat-nav announces that you have reached your destination that is the very nice pub, The White Rock Inn, in the equally nice hamlet of Underriver.

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The KPA Winter League Cup and Plate finals at the VILLAGER P.H. Vigo Village Thursday 3rd March

Landlord and Petanque supporter Dave Littley and petanque player daughter Samantha who was responsible for League organiser Mick Nash (right) gets some preparing the excellent buffet, with a welcome advice on gardening from an enthusiastic little help from brother Josh. player. Mick is absorbed, but hates gardening.

Richard King has a reach between Michelle and Alan Cregeen of the George P.C. Gord….it was cold. When does Spring start ? 3rd March freezing cold, with a biting wind for the Finals. However for some there was the welcome warmth in the bar and the presence of a very good rock band, to restore circulation Hilda Griffiths and Jean Olley eat for back into cold tapping feet and toes. Hartley to ward off nightly shivers. Credit goes to all the players for competing, doing their best against the elements. Dave and Samantha Littley provided an excellent buffet in the back bar. Also….the rock band playing in the main bar are a feature of live music at the VILLAGER every Thursday night, and if the band playing on this night were typical of the standard, then an odd visit may be worth your while. Noticed that as Dave Littley gets older….he looks for ever like his son Josh. KPA GAZETTE Page 5

The Teams were, Hartley Countrymen ….. John Adam— Jean Olley—Vanessa Layton— LoisAdam—David Baxter—Bob Gaywood—and Margaret Baxter. The George ….Keith Atkinson—Gary At- kinson—Brian King—Michelle Cregeen— Alan Cregeen—and Richard King. Hartley Centurions ….Mags Yates—Shirley Freear—Ron Freear—Colin Senneck— Ann Jennings—and Hilda Griffiths Tovil Titans ….Steve Brown—Trevor Glenn—Becki Brown—Poppy Whatley—Dean Ashby— and Neil Phillips And the Results were….. CUP COMPETITION. PLATE COMPETITION Hartley Countrymen 13 8 George Dragons Hartley Centurions 13 4 Tovil 12 13 13 11 3 13 3 13 13 12 7 13 The GEORGE DRAGONS are the 2011 winners of the K.P.A. Winter League CUP, and TOVIL TITANS are winners of the 2011 K.P.A. Winter League PLATE

INTERPRETATION. Approximately 50mm from the bottom of the EPA 2011 “Membership Application Form” is a line “ LICENCES REQUIRE A PASSPORT SIZE PHO- TOGRAPH TO BE ATTACHED” it is therefore fair to assume that this means “LICENCES REQUIRE A PASSPORT SIZE PHOTOGRAPH TO BE ATTACHED”.

Final placings… DIVISION “A” - Winners “Bat & Ball” (nice hats !) and runners up the Tovilliers DIVISION “B” - Winners “Tovil Titans” and runners up the Lordswood Moldavians DIVISION “C” - Winners “George Dragons” and runners up the Hartley Centurians

Yes Mike Pegg is excited to an- Have heard tell that nounce a new system for EPA mem- SCOTT ASHBY of Tovil bership registration. And by now all P.C. entered the spirit of 2010 members should have received a letter red nose day and had one or two legs explaining as such. The future is all electronic, waxed…. what ever that is ? …. to raise and for individuals to be able to register for a money for charity. This is not a pic- licence “on-line” has got to be the way forward. ture of Scott’s legs, however if there However not sure that all members are fully was any photographic evidence and aware of what is required, particularly those someone cares to share this with the without access to a computer, and bringing in Gazette,,and give some details of the “photo” requirement at the same time may which charity Scott was having this have been a step too far. Nevertheless, the thing done for, maybe we could rustle Summer season is just about to start and you up some donations. How far up the legs should be making efforts to registers A.S.A.P. does this waxing go ?

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It will eventually come ! And in eager anticipation, MICK NASH has given some thought and made a few subtle changes to the KPA Summer Leagues. The dates for the Cup and Plate Rounds are as follows. Preliminary Round Cup - 6th April Cup 3rd Round - 8th June Cup First Round - 20th April Plate 2nd Round - 8th June Plate Prelim Round - 11th May Cup 4th Round - 22 June Cup 2nd Round - 25th May Cup & Plate Semi Finals - 7th July Plate 1st Round - 25th May Cup & Plate Finals - 21st July The date of the Finals is much earlier this year, in an attempt to play on an evening with reasonable weather. MICK NASH is the KPA League organiser and can be found at [email protected] And a bit of the organisers logic…. Traditionally the first and second divisions are excluded from the preliminary round of the cup. The second division teams join in the first round proper of the cup, and the first division teams join the second round of the cup. There are 68 teams in total so in order to reach 32 teams in Round 2 there has to be a preliminary Round for Divs 3 - 7 48 teams. This means that the Preliminary Round has to produce 34 teams so that the addi- tion of the 10 D2 teams will produce 44 teams leaving 22 teams after Round 1 so that the additional 10 teams from D1 give the required 32. To produce 34 from 48 means that 14 are needed to be excluded, so 28 have to play The winning 14 join the 20 byes making the required 34 teams to join the 10 2nd division teams. That’s all right then ! Preliminary Round - to be played 6th April 2011 White House Lions v The Harrow Share and Coulter v Harriers 2 White House Senators v Tovil Miners Toviliers v Hartley Merlins Villager B v Hartley Owls Lordswood Storm v Lordswood Sirocco Luddesdowne Cocks v Ditton Streamliners Duke of Welly Troopers v New Ash Green Duke of Edinburgh v Lamb Inn Villager Hurricanes v Crown Jewels Stilers PC v White House Bell Sydney Small Arms v Star Meadow Sports Walnut Tree v GRFC Barbarians White House Presidents v Hartley Hawks Byes: Sydney Arms— Duke of Welly Gunners— Singleton Barn— Sherwood Oak— Borstal Sandpipers— Borstal Mudlarks— Hartley Kites— Lordswood Moldavians— Villager C— Beauty of Bath 1— Veterans— Three Tuns— Beauty of Bath 2—Bridges— Harriers 1— Ightham— Ditton Kiln Barners— Lamb Inn A— Lordswood Tempest— Pilot

“Spring Is Sprung” is the name of an LP by the Gerry HOWARD SANDOM Mulligan Quartet of 1962 released by Philips MARK COOTER in 1963, featuring on baritone COLIN SENNECK & sax, Bob on valve trombone, Bill GORDON ANGELL Crow on and Gus Johnson on for supplying info for this drums. And a very nice LP it is too ! months Gazette

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The Rob Cooter Triples competition was held at the Star Meadow Sports Club in Sunday 20 th March. The entry of 36 teams was slightly down on last year’s amazing attendance but could be put down to date clashes with the Brack- lesham Bay weekend along with two Euro Cup quarter final matches on the same day. After the morning leagues teams were separated into the main, plate and consolage com- petitions for the afternoon knockout. In the main event Lee Jamieson (Lordswood) and Keith and Kevin Atkinson (George) pro- gressed through to the final beating Gary Atkinson (George), Alex Bruce (Northwood) and Chris Watkins (Lordswood) in their semi final. In the other semi the home side of Richard Spillett, Dave Hurren and Greg Davenport got through at the expense of Brian King (George) Michelle and Alan Cregeen (Northwood). Lee, Keith and Kevin went on to win a tightly contested final and take the title and main prizes. The secondary Plate final was (nearly) an all Meadow affair with Dave Snook (George), Dave Turner and Mark Cooter beating Sandra Powell, Glenys Johnstone and Corinne Cooter. The Consolage was won by James Stilwell, Sarah and Alan Martin (Share & Coulter) who beat Croydon’s Merle Sullivan, Mary McDonald and Mark Barlow in the final. Along with kind donations the event raised a magnificent £785 which was donated to Robert’s tribute fund for the Special Care Baby Unit (Little Buds Fund) at Darent Valley Hospital. Organisers Corinne and Mark Cooter extend their thanks to everyone who do- nated, supported and helped at the event and supported this worthwhile fund. REPORT BY MARK COOTER

The trip to Bracklesham Bay for the three day weekend of fun and petanque enjoyed by players from Clubs... Lordswood P.C., Hartley P.C. , Beauty of Bath P.C. Croydon P.C. and players from the Isle of Wight. The trip started with a journey by coach from Kent, with a lunch time stop in Arundel. The weekend was shared with a large group of “line-dancers” who were segregated from the petanque players. The food was very good and the evening entertainment was better than ever including top comedian Peter Antony….but no bingo ! All the petanque players were accommodated in the hotel part of the camp. It looks like several improvements are being made to the camp, including major renovation of the swimming pool and refurbish- ment and redecorating of the chalets. The two days of petanque competition were well organised, a pity however that the weekend was badly supported compared with a few years ago. All in all “Richardson’s South Downs Holiday Village” do their best to provide a good weekend ably supported by “Isle of Wight Tours” organisation.

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On Saturday 19 th March Meadow PC entertained local neighbours Lordswood in the quarter final of the EPA’s Euro Cup. Meadow got off to a good start winning both triples, by 13-9 and 13-2. The first doubles match finished 13-8 in Meadow’s favour before Lordswood struck back in the next doubles winning 7-13. With the final mixed doubles game lying 10-2 to the Meadow it looked all over but Lordswood fought back to lead 10-12 before Meadow finally secured the points they needed to win the game and leave the final match score 4 games to 1. The results were: Meadow Open Triple v Lordswood Open Triple 13-9 Meadow Mixed Triple v Lordswood Mixed Triple 13-2 Meadow Double 1 v Lordswood Double 1 7-13 Meadow Double 2 v Lordswood Double 2 13-8 Meadow Mixed Double v Lordswood Mixed Double 13-12 In the three other Euro Cup quarter final matches played over the same weekend The George beat The Admiral (Southern Counties) 7-0, Sports Bar (Chiltern Region) overcame Half Crown (West Midlands) 4-1 and Boyne Hill (Thames Valley) beat Bancroft Park (Chiltern) by 4 games to 3. The four winners now go onto the finals on April 3 rd where they will play each other in a round robin to decide who will go on to represent England in the European Club Cup and be crowned the EPA Club Champions for 2011. EURO CUP FACT FILE: The Meadow PC had to travel an incredible 1,167 miles to reach this stage of the com- petition with away matches to Ightham, the Isle of Wight twice and Bridlington in Yorkshire. That included 6 ferry trips (including 2 on the quaint chain link ferry between East Cowes and Cowes) and an overnight stay in Yorkshire. The Meadow PC’s (nee Plough & Chequers) record in this event is second to none. It was the club’s 12 th consecutive quarter final appearance in this competition. On the 11 previous occasions they went onto win the event 4 times, finish runners up 3 times and lose in the semi’s twice. REPORT BY MARK COOTER

THE RESULTS. Saturday Competition. Winning Team—Colin Gibbs, Irene Gibbs, Josie Elvin ( Hartley). Runners Up—Gordon Angell, Val Rossall, Jean Olley (Hartley) Sunday Competition. Winning Team—Colin Gibbs (Hartley), Mick Joyce (Beauty of Bath), Croydon. Runners Up—John Adam (Hartley), Ann Jennings (Hartley), Andy Williams (Lordswood). And on Monday, after breakfast, a coach trip back to Kent with a lunchtime stop at Guildford Cathedral. A good weekend had by all. From notes provided by Colin Senneck KPA GAZETTE Page 9

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AS A GENERAL RULE….FOR ALL OPEN COMPETITIONS….DO NOT BRING, AND- The 1st REGIONAL TRIPLES CONSUME YOUR OWN FOOD AND QUALIFIER DRINK….PLEASE PURCHASE AT THE At HARTLEY COUNTRY CLUB VENUE. CULVEY CLOSE HARTLEY DA3 8BS HARRIERS Sunday 10th APRIL PETANQUE CLUB Register 9:15 to 9:45 SUNDAY 17th APRIL You will need a current Mayor of Maidstone Trophy EPA Licence Tovil Workingmen’s Club—Tovil Hill Food will be available Maidstone ME15 6QS from early morning and Triples Competition Starts at 10am

We have all won the lottery……..not quite, but almost. A letter from MIKE PEGG, advises that the E.P.A. has some £20,000, to spend. A windfall, available to be used for the benefit of petanque. Mike on behalf of the E.P.A. rightly asks for suggestions as to how best this money can be used. Not an easy answer, on the face of it, it would appear a reasonable amount however, it relates to 6 to 7 pounds per EPA member. If we start with the assumption that this money was collected from the BPA/EPA mem- bers and administered by the management of the BPA/EPA, and should in principle be re- turned from whence it came….to the members. Sounds good...but in practice would be im- possible to implement, as this money was collected over a period years. How about return the money to Clubs….again difficult to implement. How about return the money to the Re- gions…..getting better….will however present difficulties to achieve fairly. How about re- turning the money to the Regions based on a ratio of number of Clubs and members on average, say over a ten year period. The Regions are best equipped to judge where the money should be spent for their Clubs. As highlighted earlier…..not an easy answer. However it would help Mike Pegg and his sub-committee if he did receive comments and suggestions from either Clubs or individual EPA members. So...get writing.

International Petanque and Bowls Competitions over the Easter Weekend 21st to 25th April. The organisers report that already they have teams from several countries registered. JOSE LUIS NAVARRO is the man to contact for all the details at www.santasusannacup.com OR Tel. 34934643977 Nearest airports, Barcelona or Gerona.

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In the village of Diano San Pietro - fully EMBROIDERY DEPOT can offer furnished 2 bedroom villa is approx 2 up to 15% price reduction for miles from the Mediterranean beaches PETANQUE CLUB orders. of DIANO MARINA—nearest airport is Genoa—for full details contact ALAN CREGEEN proprietor. JOHN SUGUATO Tel. 01634 312675 See also Gazette Issue 50 for full report EMBROIDERY DEPOT 28 ELVINGTON ROAD DOVER—KENT CT15 4EQ KENT & SUSSEX Tel. 01304 830809 or 07702106581 WINDOW CLEANING AND GUTTERING www.embroiderydepot.co.uk CLEANING COMMERCIAL & DOMESTIC [email protected] RELIABLE & FRIENDLY SERVICE PROVIDED COMPETITIVE PRICES GIVEN FOR FURTHER DETAILS OR QUOTES PLEASE CONTACT 01323 743789 or 079338 70612

All you need for petanque—supplies from the on line brochure. Boule—accessories—trophies— bags and clothing. www.pycpetanque.co.uk Tel. 01359 250829 Shop and Sales Office at… Pen-y-Coed Petanque—Up Street—Bradwell Bury St. Edmonds—Suffolk—IP31 1AA

The KENT PETANQUE GAZETTE is edited by RON YATES. Any item of news for inclusion in future editions should be sent to e-mail [email protected] The views expressed in the KENT PETANQUE GAZETTE are those of the editor and contributors only, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the KENT PETANQUE ASSOCIATON or the ENGLISH PETANQUE ASSOCIATION E & O E

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