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Kent Gazette Issue18

Kent Gazette Issue18

Michel Hourcastagnou 1955 - 2006

death of arguably the best player ever in loses one of its best this country, Michel Hourcastagnou.

ever players Play at the Kent vs Nord Maritime contest at Michel‘s The whole of the pétanque world in the home club of Plough and Chequers stopped in respect UK was shocked to hear of the premature when news came through during the first round of games on Saturday 12 August. (see pages 4 and 7).

Match Reports and Results - Page 2 Obituaries- Page 6

Clubs of Kent œ Page 8 Kent teams for1 Brean - Page 11 What‘s On - Page 14 The clubs represented: Croydon, P & C, Old Sheaf, George, Villager, Hartley, Pen-Y Coed, GRFC Match Reports , Tovil, Bat & Ball, Brighton & Hove, also the Victorians from Essex. Medway Despatch Open Report: Mick Weston Doubles Kent County Singles Sunday 2nd July 2006 at Lordswood Championship The Medway Despatch Open Doubles was hosted by Friday 14th July 2006, The George, The Lordswood Petanque Club on Sunday 2nd July 2006. On a steaming hot Sunday morning thirty one Twenty four players battled for the County Singles teams including raiders from Brighton (Ray Agar and title at the George on Bastille Day. The evening was partner Bob) and Epping took to the terrains to sunny (until dusk that is) but surprisingly chilly, compete for the first prize of £100 donated by our leading to much raiding of car boots to retrieve generous sponsor Medway Despatch. It was also whatever extra layers could be found. very good to see a mix of men and women players, a junior and a couple of minors in the guise of Daniel Leagues of 3, played to 9 to allow for the relatively Rudden (15) Ryan Rudden (12) and Kayleigh limited time allowed for an evening event, quickly Mannering (10) taking part. divided the entrants in to 3 knockout pools, main, plate and consolage. This ruthless format meant any The morning competition was split into eight leagues error or poor performance was soundly punished. with the first 16 going through to the Main competition, the next 8 into the Plate with the The knockout stages started with games to 11, with remainder going into the Consolage. The variety of the semis and finals being played to the familiar 13, pistes, particularly the temporary shale surface on allowing a little more room for games to develop. pistes seven to eleven, gave rise to some interesting There were lots of close games and some impressive challenges throughout the day. individual performances.

The Consolage was won by K&G (Kev and Gary) In the semis of the consolage Jes Paine beat Sam from The George after a hard fought game with The Littley, with Colin Senneck avenging his wife‘s Wood (Kieran Maggs and Chris Watkins) from defeat at the hands of Robert Cooter. The final Lordswood. The final of the Plate was between the however saw Colin‘s run of luck come to an end with Mum and Son team Worry Em (Fay Golder and Scott Jes securing victory 13 œ 8. Ashby) from Tovil and George and Frog (Keith The plate saw two very close semis, between Martin Atkins and Jean-Louis Guiot) from The George and Eggleton and Dave Lavelle, with Dave winning 13- Hartley respectively. After a very competitive match 11, and Barry Soilleux seeing off the challenge of played on the challenging surface George and Frog Dean Ashby 13-9. The most one sided of the finals ran out winners. saw Dave get the better of the —interesting“ George In the Main competition Rejects (Matt Horrigan and pistes to beat Barry 13-4. Kevin Spillett) beat Nuff Skills (Russell and Geoff) In the semis of the main Geoff Booth beat Matt from Bat and ball 13-10 and the Victorians (Patrick Shrimpton 13-7, and Trevor Glenn put his home and Ravi) the raiders from Epping beat Sylvan Borsi knowledge to good use to beat Steve Brown 13-5. and Rashid Hammache from P & C 13-8 to go That home advantage proved decisive in an extremely through to the final. The match was fiercely tight final, with Trevor finally beating Geoff 13-12, contested with both pointing and shooting skills of an after several shot cochonnets to retain the title he won exceptionally high standard being displayed by both last year œ will he be able to complete the triple next teams keeping the small but select and knowledgeable year? If so, does he get to keep the trophy? group of spectators enthralled to the end. The game progressed point by point until reaching seven- all The organiser of the day (me) would like to extend when the Rejects managed to surge ahead to 12 œ 8. special thanks to Lesley Boycott, who having come But surprisingly Matt missed two shots, his first along to watch was press-ganged into making the misses of the game, and the Victorians dragged 24th player when an accident on the A2 prevented themselves up by their bootstraps to bring the game further arrivals and presenting the organiser with an back to 12 œ 12. The final end by the Victorians was unfortunate number of players. Lesley was a little scrappy and the Rejects ran out deserving unfortunately knocked out in the first round of the winners and claimed the Medway Despatch Open plate after good performances in the league stage. Doubles 2006 title. Report: Annette Eggleton

PAGE 2 Alex James) and The Rams (Jeff Mitchell and Rob Harriers Ricard Cup Hope) taking well over an hour. The Rams won eventually 13-12 after many dead ends and single Sunday, 23rd July 2006 Tovil Working Men's Club point ends. The final was between The Rams and Los The recent hot spell of weather coaxed out 17 teams Cianos (Dave and Lynne Ciano) from Hertfordshire. (some over 50) to compete in the Ricard Cup. It was a close game proceeding one point each end until at 5-5 The Rams scored two points to break The Main Competition final was played between The away and in the following end scored 6 points for a Deaf Heads (Harriers) - Neville Hurren and Terry well deserved win having not lost a game all day. Jones and YPC (The Towers, Essex) - Dean Little and Keith Flack. The game was short-lived, Terry and Six teams all from Crowborough but not all from Neville being outplayed by the younger Dean and Crowborough Club went into the Plate competition. Keith who won 13-1. The 2 of us (Dorothy Bickford and Martin Gordon) who had not won a game in the morning did not lose The Plate Final was another "old versus young" one in the afternoon to win the Plate with Dyson affair. Les Etoiles (Old Sheaf) Rob Harvey and John (Gladys Tester and Joan Fread) being the runners up. Holbourn -v- The Flumps Matthew Whatley and Steve Brown. Some good shooting by Steve made The trophies were presented by Crowborough Mayor sure of their win 13-3. Mick Hall who enjoyed watching the afternoon games and even took on a Crowborough member and Clubs Represented: Old Sheaf, Harriers, came out the winner. Crowborough, Tovil, Villager, Plough & Chequers, Report Tom Waldron Bat & Ball, Fighting Cocks, The Towers (Essex), The George. Kent County Pairs Match Summary: Championship Main Competition Winners: YPC (The Towers) Dean Little/Keith Flack Sunday August 6th 2006, Tovil WMC, Runners Up: The Deaf Heads (Harriers) Neville Hurren/Terry Jones 20 Teams from more than 10 clubs contested the County Pairs Championship at Tovil, . Plate Winners: The Flumps (M. Whatley/S. Brown) Runners Up: Les Etoiles (Old Sheaf) R. Harvey/J. Through to the quarter finals of the main were 3 Holbourn teams from Plough and Chequers and 1each from Fighting Cocks, Bat and Ball, Harriers, Gravesend Report Denise Williams RFC and home club Tovil.

Crowborough Town Results Semi-finals Kris Smith and Geoff Booth beat Dave Trophy Chalkly and Michel Hourcastagnou David and Sunday 30th July 2006, Crowborough Margaret Baxter beat Richard Spillett and Roland Crowborough Pétanque Club held its annual Town Jones Trophy Doubles Competition in aid of the Mayors Charities, on the 30th July 2006. Fourteen teams Final Kris Smith and Geoff Booth beat David and competed for the trophy in ideal weather for playing Margaret Baxter 13-12. pétanque. This was a fine win for the young team because they The morning soon turned bright with plenty of had to overcome two very strong teams to get to the sunshine and a gentle breeze and not as hot as recent final (in their Quarter Final they beat the defending days. The morning was rather long with two leagues champions, Dave Hurren and Matthew Horrigan) of five and one of four. There was some very good while in the final they were up against last years play in the league games with many hard fought runners up who thus retained their runners upship! games finishing 13-12. Only two teams finished the Plate Semi Final Jes Paine and Martin Pennell beat morning‘s play without a win and only two fannies. Rob Harvey and John Holborne. Roy Pemberton and Eight teams went into the main competition including Kierran Maggs beat Kevin and Gary Atkinson one team from Crowborough P.C.Ton Two (John and Final Roy Pemberton and Kierran Maggs beat Jes Molly Brooker) who got knocked out in the semi- Paine and Martin Pennell 13- 10 finals The other semi-final was a very long hard fought game between Bat and Ball 66 (Jes Paine and Report: David Baxter

PAGE 3 Fred Booth KPA versus 12 Kent 13 Geoffrey Booth 2 7 Robert Booth Nord Maritime Jean Michel Duhautois 13 St Pol Frederic Duhautois 2 6 Saturday 12th August 2006 at Plough & Chequers Philippe Wemaere Mark Cooter The announcement of the unexpected death of 14 Kent 10 Corrine Cooter 2 6 Michel Hourcastagnou combined with the Glenys Johnston unseasonable weather cast a dampener over this Jacques Outteryck A.B.B. year‘s annual Kent versus Nord Maritime 15 Therese Outteryck 2 1 (Bourbourg) competition. Michel Grisolet Robert Cooter However, fifteen teams from each region took part, Charles Fribbens 16 Kent 9 2 -2 stopping for a brief silence in honour of Michel. Two Phillip Jarrett rounds of games were played in the morning and two Alex Bruce Claudine Laurette rounds in the afternoon. In between the Plough and S.M.P.S. 17 Russo Sabine 2 -7 Chequers provided an excellent buffet to help keep (Dunkerque) out the cold. Daniele Baudoin A.B.G.S Michele Marck In the tradition of this competition, the home team 18 (Grande Jean Paul Pese 2 -8 Synthe) Philippe Ferrie won, with Kent beating Nord Maritime by 36 games Maxence Marguerite to 24. F.M.O.C. (Fort 19 Sandra Delisinne 2 -11 Mardyck) Mickael Behague The final results table is below: Bernard Leuchart Nord Maritime 20 Michel Normand 1 -2 Committee Catherine Locatelli Games Pts Place Team Players Won Diff Janet Davenport 21 Kent 15 Charlie Davenport 1 -4 Jenny Cooter Mark Thorne 1 David Baxter 4 42 Greg Davenport Jean Chritian Evrard Nord Maritime 22 Michel Truyen 1 -9 Phil Murray Committee Patrick Claerhout 2 Dizz Murray 4 41 John Middleton A.B.G.S Daisy Grisolet 23 (Grande Adamo Fischietti 1 -11 David Turner Synthe) Joseph Levasseur 3 Kevin Spillett 4 35 David Lavelle Roy Pemberton 24 Kent 7 Larry Belcher 1 -12 Dave Blakely Mark Dennis 4 Kent 11 Matt Shrimpton 3 19 Russell Brewis Marice Baruzzi S.M.P.S. 25 Paul Laurette 1 -14 Christophe Vandrome (Dunkerque) Andre Bulteel 5 US Dunkerque Corinne Vandrome 3 14 Franck Lutsen A.B.G.S Guy Provost 26 (Grande Jean Pierre Pierichart 1 -25 Trevor Glen Synthe) Georges Marck 6 Kent 5 Charlie Shrimpton 3 14 Steve Golder Andy Pucknell 27 Kent 14 Neville Hurren 1 -31 Martin Eggleton Philip Killick 7 Kent 6 Ken Buchan 3 12 Ron Yates Fay Ashby 28 Lyn Shrimpton 0 -19 A.B.G.S Jean Claude Vilela Paul Hardwick 8 (Grande Martine Tinet 3 12 Synthe) Pierre Tinet Jean Pierre Leuchart St Pol / 29 Sylviane Leuchart 0 -24 A.B.G.S. Tracey Turner Jeanine Leuchart 9 Kent 8 Roland Jones 3 9 Kris Smith A.B.G.S Jocelyne Leuchart 30 (Grande Nicole Fischietti 0 -45 Dominique Norez S.M.P.S. Synthe) Odette Levassuer 10 Micheke Norez 3 6 (Dunkerque) Serge Drouet Total Kent 36 117 Richard King Total Nord Maritime 24 -117 11 Kent 12 Becci Glenn 3 0 Neil Phillips Information: Annette Eggleton

PAGE 4 Michel George 5 3Ds Martin Baker 62 Kent Regional Qualifier 4 Hourcastagnou Jarrett ANYTHING Greg Jennifer Trevor 6 Kevin Wood 52 GOES Davenport Cooter Gordon Sunday 9 July 2006 œ Hartley Country Club DEANS Lynn 7 Dean Ashby Fay Golder 49.5 ANGELS Shrimpton The final round saw a turnout of 26 teams at Hartley GEORGE & Keith Charlie 8 Trevor Glenn Steve Golder 46.5 many with all still to play for with final positions still STEVE Atkinson Shrimpton HALF Martin Robert not settled. 9 Jeff Mitchell 41.5 MOON Eggleton Willison HARTLEY Colin The sun shone and those teams unfortunate enough to 10 Mick Nash Joyce Nash 31.5 be on the main pistes were challenged by South of CC 1 Senneck BAT & Martin France temperatures. 11 Jes Paine Ron James Alex James 30 BALL 99 Pennell Roy 12 EDF Larry Belcher Mark Dennis 28.5 The results were close and eventually the final Pemberton standings lead to a tie for Kent 1 selection, Rejects BLACK Matthew Andrew 13 Scott Ashby Steve Brown 28 and P&C each with 79 points over the four rounds. MAGIC Whatley Shiner P&C Rowland Luke 14 Tracy Turner Kris Smith 27 Results of Qualifier 4 PONIES Jones Fribbens Alex 15 UNITED David Leigh Sam Denyer Dave Cover 25 Pos Team Player 1 Player 2 Player 3 Player 4 Pts Hutchinson Michel George Charles Robert 1 3DS Martin Baker 24 16 BTY Philip Jarrett Alex Bruce 22 Hourcastagnou Jarrett Fribbens Cooter Richard Matt Simon Corrine Glenys Sandra 2 REJECTS Dave Hurren 21 17 GIRLIES Mark Cooter 21 Spillett Horrigan Mannering Cooter Johnston Powell Roy Larry Kevin Dave 3 EDF Mark Dennis 20 18 KBS Sheila King Brian King 20.5 Pemberton Belcher Atkinson Blakeley BAT & BALL Martin CROWBORO‘ Hilary Roger 4 Jes Paine Ron James Alex James 19 19 Chris Faithful Julie Kemp 14.5 99 Pennell TAVERNERS Lindsay Holford Kevin David Rebecca Gary 5 P&C Dave Turner 18 20 UNDERDOGZ Richard King Neil Phillips 12 Spillett Lavelle Glenn Atkinson Matthew Andrew Geoffrey 6 BLACK MAGIC Scott Ashby Steve Brown 16 21 INVICTA Robert Booth Fred Booth 9.5 Whatley Shiner Booth Rachid Andy Neville 7 P&C 2002 Bruno Bove Leigh Maxey Sylvan Borsi 15 22 NAF Philip Killick 8.5 Hammache Pucknall Hurren Jean Louis Janet Charlie 8 JOKERS WILD Phil Murray Diz Murray 14 23 CONDOR Chris Street 7 Guiot Davenport Davenport Martin Robert Mick Margaret Eileen 9 HALF MOON Jeff Mitchell 13 24= EAGLES Ron Yates John Flowers 6.5 Eggleton Willison Lucioni Yates Flowers DEANS Lynn Michelle 10 Dean Ashby Fay Golder 12 24= IPA Sean Daffey Alan Cregeen Angela Ware 6.5 ANGELS Shrimpton Cregeen Rebecca Gary TOVIL 11 UNDERDOGZ Richard King Neil Phillips 11 26 Paul Collins Ron Hill Jackie Selling 4 Glenn Atkinson TREACLERS ANYTHING Greg Jennifer Trevor SAN Barry Neville Pam 12 Kevin Wood 9 27 Paul Mazza 4 GOES Davenport Cooter Gordon MIGUEL Soilleux Plummer Plummer GEORGE & Keith Charlie John Barbara 13 Trevor Glenn Steve Golder 8 28 TOVAGERS John Hines Ken Buchan 4 STEVE Atkinson Shrimpton Middleton Middleton Alex 14 UNITED David Leigh Sam Denyer Dave Cover 7 Tables and results courtesy KPA website Hutchinson Charles Robert 15 BTY Philip Jarrett Alex Bruce 6 Fribbens Cooter Adur Competition Corrine Glenys 16 GIRLIES Mark Cooter 4 Cooter Johnston Sunday 6th August 2006 Luke P1 P&C PONIES Tracy Turner Roland Jones Kris Smith 2 Fribbens The charity was the British Lung Foundation for Geoffrey P2 INVICTA Robert Booth Fred Booth 1 which we raised £367, and they took a further £25.60 Booth from their collecting box. P1= Plate Winners P2 œ Plate Runners Up Points Total from all 4 Qualifiers 32 teams took part, and the results were :- Team Player 1 Player 2 Player 3 Player 4 Pts Winners " Super Joes“ Angie & Lee Jamieson Matt Richard Simon 1= REJECTS Dave Hurren 79 Horrigan Spillett Mannering 2nd "Average Joes" Ashley & Bradley Jamieson David 1= P&C Dave Turner Kevin Spillett 79 Lavelle Rachid 3rd "Les Boulistes Mary Mc Donald & Jean-Guy 3 P&C 2002 Bruno Bovi Leigh Maxey Sylvan Borsi 78.5 Hammache Fontinelsne (Croydon) JOKERS Jean- Louis 4 Phil Murray Diz Murray 62.5 WILD Guiot Significant "Easterly " teams:-

PAGE 5 5th "Me & 'im" Kathy Dodds & Ian King (GRFC Gravesend) Sisca Challenge Sat 22nd July, in Kent Plough & Chequers ,. 18th "Hartley“ Diane & Peter Bryant (Hartley CC) Once again, a poor turnout marred this event with 19th "Tovil" Paul & Jackie (Tovil WMC) only four (4) teams turning out but it was a vast improvement of the 1st Kent Heat at Hartley, on Sat Report by Brian Searle 10th June where only one team turned up! Hartley Open Doubles The teams were:- Sunday 20th August 2006, Hartley Country Club Over 40‘s (1 team): The weather was bright with just a few short sharp —Gravesend “ comprising Dave Baxter (GRFC), John showers to send players occasionally scurrying for Middleton (Tovil) & Eric Hatfield (Lordswood). cover for short periods Under 40‘s (3 teams): A prize fund amounting to £250 was contested by 26 teams from 7 clubs and others attracted to the event. —Fighting Cocks “ comprising Trevor Gordon (Plough & Chequers), the brothers Geoff & Robert Particular notables were ex Medway player Marcus Booth (Fighting Cocks) Hickman from (Vale Tavern, Ramsgate), playing with Greg Adams a surprise visitor now —Dover Pirates “ comprising Marcus Hickman & his residing in France (who ran the Kent League in the bothers Miles & Dominic early 90s). Also Marcus's younger brothers, ex juniors Dominic and Miles from the Medway Towns. —Kir Royale “ comprising Kevin Spillett, Rowland The 3 brothers previously played at the —Masons Jones & Greg Davenport (Plough & Chequers). Arms“ (Rochester), at the time a top club, when The four (4) teams played each other, in a ”Round Hartley first started playing in the early 90s. Robin‘ system. Also welcome were Barry Wing (Lordswood) jetting The three Qualifiers were. in from Tenerife and several players from Croydon, also Dave Chalkly (Plough & Chequers) and two The Over 40‘s Team = 1 only: —Gravesend“ novices. The Under 40‘s Teams = 2: —Fighting Cocks“ & —Kir The final of the Plate was contested between brothers Royale“ Geoff & Robert Booth (ex juniors from the Fighting Cocks, Horton Kirby), and Josie Elvin and Dennis Jack Milner has analysed the turnout at some of the Peareth (from Hartley). The Booth boys came out on other venues which were equally mixed although top in a close encounter by 13 points to 10. Kent, as the biggest region, would have been expected to be best represented. In the Main competition semi finals: Marcus and Greg took a fine 10-l lead against Angie and Lee The 3rd June Hants = 5, Sat 10th June Kent = 1, Sat Jamieson (from Worthing) only to see them fighting 17th June Harrow = 7, Sat 24th June Brighton = 8, back to 9 - 10 and then finally shooting the coche for Sat 8th July Luton = 9, Sat 22nd July Kent = 4. the four points needed to win. In the other semi final Diane and Peter Bryant (from Hartley) took an Report Jack Milner apparently easy and unassailable lead 12 - 2 lead against Matt Horrigan and Larry Belcher (both of Lordswood), only to finally lose out 13 œ 12 as the Obituaries Lordswood pair came storming back to win. It is with sadness that the Gazette reports the death of The final was a close affair with some terrific two of English pétanque‘s longest established players shooting eventually won by the Lordswood pair Matt and Larry with 13 points and the Jamiesons 10 points. Firstly, Brian Sullivan , long standing member of Croydon PC () unfortunately passed away on All in all an excellent day's petanque. Monday 24th July. In memory of Brian, Michel and Clubs represented: Old Sheaf, , Bat & Ball, George, Louise Hourcastagnou renamed their competition that Villager, Fighting Cocks & Vale Tavern. took place the following Sunday —The Brian Sullivan Trophy“. The whole Pétanque community sends it Report Mick Nash condolences to Merle and the rest of Brian‘s family.

PAGE 6 Subsequently, Plough & Chequers player (and Cup double. Following the demise of the Colyers he Croydon resident) Michel Hourcastagnou died from moved to the Plough & Chequers where he enjoyed a heart attack, even more success. mercifully while asleep, Just one year later he was a part of the region‘s in the early number one team winning the National Triples hours of Championship and after annihilating his opposition in Saturday 12th the ICQS final, he went on to play in his eighth August. World Championships for Great Britain.

This shocking Michel went on to play in another two World information Championships in 2002 and 2003 making 10 in total, was received at far more than any other person in the country. the Plough & Chequers From 1998-2005 Michel won six South East Regional around 11am titles and was ever present in the South East on the morning Region/Kent Association. squad helping them to when Kent achieve six Inter-Regional Championship victories were playing over a seven year period. For six consecutive years Nord from 1999-2004 Michel was a member of the South Maritime. A East region‘s number one team, formal 1-minute silence was kept by all present His impressive tally of personal achievements before the start of the 2nd round as a mark of our includes eight National titles; in fact Michel is one of esteem for Michel who was a member of the County only a handful of individuals who have won all the Squad and a leading player in Britain throughout National Titles the Singles, Doubles and Triples. three decades. Michel was a lovely man who always played the Michel was born in France where he took up the sport game with a smile on his face: a gentleman on and off and where he was a junior champion. In the seventies the terrain he will be sorely missed by all that knew Michel moved to Great Britain to live and work. him. He became a member of the all-conquering Norfolk

Square Pétanque Club which dominated the sport in this country for nearly two decades during the Michel Hourcastagnou‘s GB National and seventies and eighties. Regional achievements Many of us learned our pétanque from Michel and the National Honours: other Norfolk Square ex-patriots. National Singles Champ : 1987 and ”90 National Doubles Champ: 1981 National Triples Champ : 1981, ‘87, ‘88, ‘99 and 2003 World Championships : 1978, ‘81, ‘83, ‘84, ‘85, ‘86, ‘87, ‘99, 2002 and 2003

Regional Honours: Regional Singles Champ : 1999 Regional Doubles Champ : 1998, 2000, 2003 Regional Triples Champ : 2000, 2004 South East 1: 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004

Michel in 2000 with team mates Dave Chalkly and Bruno Bove Condolences go from the Gazette and all in the sport to Louise, Maryanne and Michel‘s family. Michel retired from playing pétanque for about 10 years but in 1998 he returned to the sport he loved Contributions from Mike Pegg, Mark Cooter, Dave joining the South East Region and Colyer Arms. Chalkly - compiled by Andy Mills Straight away he found success again, winning the Regional Doubles and several local competitions as well as the helping Colyers to the Kent League &

PAGE 7 Britain Juniors at the North Sea, European Championships and Junior World Championship. Clubs of Kent How many members in the club? This is an occasional article on the clubs in our The Plough & Chequers currently has 37 members. county, large and small. What major trophies have been won by Plough & Plough & Chequers Chequers teams and players? National League Champions 1999, 2001, 02, 03 & 04 What is the history of the team now playing as Kent League Champions 1999, 2002, 03, 04 & 05 Plough & Chequers? Kent League Cup Winners 2002, 03, & 05 The Plough & Chequers PC was formed following a British European Cup Section Winners 1999, 03 & 05 decision to move from the Black Lion PH in In addition to winning the above other squad Gillingham at the Black Lion AGM in 1998 where performances have been as follows: the original members of the Plough & Chequers had played 13 years. 2005 P&C1 - Kent League Division 1 Winners When did the team start playing at the Plough & P&C2 - Kent League Division 1 Runners Up Chequers? P&C3 - Kent League Division 3 Winners The Plough & Chequers P.C. was formed in 1998. P&C1 - Kent League Cup Winners After having spent 13 years playing as the Black Lion European Cup œ P&C2 - British Section Winners P.C the decision was made to move to the Plough & P&C2 - BPA National League Runners Up Chequers F.H. P&C1 - BPA National League Group Stage Runners Up During the first year at the Plough & Chequers the club ended the first year with over 30 members. 2004 Following the move the Plough & Chequers went P&C1 - Kent League Division 1 Winners from 2 teams and 6 pitches to 3 teams and 14 pitches P&C2 - Kent League Division 1 Runners Up in just over 12 months. P&C 3 - Kent League Division 4 Winners P&C 4 - Kent League Division 7 œ Relegated Over the eight years the Plough & Chequers have European Cup - British Section Runners Up been in existence the club has at its peak fielded 4 P&C2 - BPA National League Division 1 Winners Squads in the Kent League and had 21 terrains with P&C1 - BPA National League Division 1 Third Place record attendances at a Doubles competition of 56 teams. 2003 P&C1 - Kent League Division 1 Winners When was the team originally formed? P&C2 - Kent League Division 1 Runners Up The original core of players from the Black Lion days P&C3 - Kent League Division 5 Winners came from members of the Wheatsheaf PH, Chatham P&C4- Kent League Division 9 Fourth (now known as Old Sheaf) and Lloyds PC. P&C1 - Kent League Cup Winners European Cup - British Section Winners Why was it formed? BPA National League Division 1 Winners The move to the Plough & Chequers was made for BPA National League Division 2 Runners Up several reasons. Membership numbers were dropping, an incident took place at one of the 2002 competitions held at the Black Lion which resulted in P&C1 - Kent League Division 1 Winners injury to one of the players and a change of Landlord P&C2 - Kent League Division 1 Third all led to the final decision of the club to leave. P&C3 - Kent League Division 6 Winners P&C4- Kent League Division 9 Third Are any of the initial members still playing? P&C1 - Kent League Cup Winners Yes the majority of the Plough & Chequers 1st Team European Cup - British Section Quarter Finalists and part of the 2nd Team and several players from the BPA National League - Winners third team are original members. 2001 How has the section developed? P&C1 - Kent League Division 1 Runners Up The club now has 3 teams in the Kent league and has P&C2 - Kent League Division 1 Third over the years introduced a number of juniors to the P&C3 - Kent League Division 7 Winners sport who have then gone on to gain Regional, and P&C1 - Kent League Cup Runners Up National honours and then gone on to represent Great European Cup - British Section Runners Up BPA National League - Winners

PAGE 8 2000 What is the policy towards developing women and P&C1 - Kent League Division 1 Runners Up junior members? P&C2 - Kent League Division 1 Fifth Place The club always like to encourage women and juniors P&C3 - Kent League Division 8 Winners to play. Over the years the club prides itself in P&C2 - Kent League Cup Runners Up producing good quality juniors that have come P&C3 - Kent League Plate Runners Up through the squads and have gone on to gain GB European Cup - British Section Semi Finalists representation. Any one who wants to play pétanque BPA National League - Runners Up will be welcome to join the club. 1999 What are the plans for the development of the P&C1 - Kent League Division 1 Winners Pétanque pistes? P&C2 - Kent League Division 1 Sixth Place At present a temporary cover has been erected over P&C3 - Kent League Division 9 Winners three pitches. Once this development is completed P&C1 - Kent League Cup Runners Up we are hoping to have four pistes fully covered for European Cup - British Section Winners use throughout the winter. BPA National League Champions

1998 P&C1 - Kent League Division 1 Runners Up P&C2 - Kent League Division 1 Fifth Place.

In addition to the Squad success the Plough has also provided the region year on year with teams for the inter-regional Championships. This year 6 of the top 8 teams in Kent have Plough & Chequers Members in their teams. The Junior team also has one member from the Plough. Two other teams in the Combined Squad also have Plough & Chequers players in the squad. In total 20 players and 1 Manager for the Brean contingent from Kent come from the Plough & Chequers. The pistes and temporary cover at the Plough & Chequers (during the Kent vs Nord Maritime match) At International levels various players have played at North Sea, Senior Worlds, Ladies Worlds, Junior Any other useful or interesting information? Worlds, Ladies Europeans and Junior Europeans. This year the Plough & Chequers will be running Which members have represented Great Britain? Winter Double League and Knockout competition before Christmas and & a Winter Triples League & Bruno Bove knockout competition after Christmas. 75% of entry Greg Davenport fees will be paid out in cash prizes going down to 8th Hourcastagno place in each competition. Michel u David Hurren Anyone interested in entering a team should contact George Jarrett David Lavelle for more details. At present entry is limited to 32 teams for each competition. Phillip Jarrett David Lavelle Information from Dave Lavelle, P&CPC Diz Murray If you would like to see your club featured here, Phil Murray please send information to the Gazette. Contact Kris Smith details on Page 14 Kevin Spillett

Richard Spillett David Turner Tracy Turner Birth announcement Kevin Wood Sylvain Borsi The Villagers (Vigo) now have a —New Member“. Robert Silvy Their club Secretary, Dani Howard, recently gave Matt Horrigan birth to a daughter, Millie. Mother & Child, as well David Chalkly as father Lee, are doing well. In her own words:

PAGE 9 —Millie Hanora Howard was born on Friday 30th Results June at 1.07pm. She weighed 7lb 2oz even though CUP: she was 2 weeks early and had thick black hair just —Plough & Chequers 1“ of Division 1, are through to like her dad!! Contractions started on Wednesday the final by default from the —Old Cocks“ of Division night so it wasn't the easiest of births and in the end 2. we were taken to the emergency theatre for an assisted birth as Millie started to become distressed —George 1“ of Division 1, are through to the final, but luckily we didn't have to have a caesarean!! Lee just beating the —Vale Tavern“ of Division 2 by 2 was fantastic throughout as well and is proving to be points advantage following a 2 game draw. a great hands on dad!!“ PLATE: —Hartley Kestrels“ of Division 3, are through to the final after beating the —Seal Whites“ also of Division Summer League 3, by 3 games to 1 2006 —Wheatsheaf“ of Division 2 are through to the final by beating the —Old Sheaf Regulars“ of Division 4, K2 Flooring Kent Pétanque by 3 games to 1. League Cup & Plate Knockout The finals are being held at the Villager, Vigo on Friday 1st September 2006 starting at 20:00. As the Semi Finals showcase event for the KPL all spectators are Friday 28th July 2006, Lordswood Sports & Social welcome and encouraged to attend. Club The participants and spectators travelled from all over George 1 vs Plough & Chequers 1 Kent to play the four Knockout Cup & Plate Semi Wheatsheaf vs Hartley Kestrels Final matches at the one neutral venue. Report by Jack Milner The weather was fine with the evening warm but bearable, even comfortable which was a welcome League News change from the recent lengthy heat wave, as play commenced in the early evening light. With six rounds remaining (24 games) in most divisions, the tables are still hotly contested. The venue was initially a seemingly confusing mass of boule players on the terrain and around the In division 1, Plough and Chequers 1 and 2 are perimeter, with their team‘s differently coloured tops several games behind. The games in hand could put giving an interesting kaleidoscope effect.. them first and second although currently Old Sheaf Rats are running them close. At the bottom, GRFC Unfortunately one match did not take place, Plough Harlequins look like they will have to have a big & Chequers 1 versus the Old Cocks. Because of a turnaround to survive but Seal Blues, Villager and confusion over the dates (see Letters to Editor on Bat & Ball all will have a fight to avoid the drop Page 13 ) The Cocks could not raise a full team giving the match to the P&C1 by default. In Division 2 Old Cocks are aiming to return to Division 1 with Plough and Chequers 3 and the The Umpire for the evening was Peter Turner (of the Wheatsheaf fighting to join them. However, this very Old Sheaf) who is the Kent & National approved & tight division has teams all the way down to eighth Licensed Umpire. (Vale Tavern) who could still be promoted. Lordswood 3 look in trouble but again, because the It was difficult, in fact impossible; to keep tabs on division is close, teams as high as 5 th (GRFC every game as the evening progressed, from a light Barbarians) could be relegated. evening to dark and playing under floodlights. There were six teams playing in three separate matches on Division 3 is more clear cut with Tovil Tornadoes six different pistes on the main terrain. It was a blowing the rest away. Hartley Kestrels, Seal Whites matter of looking at a score board occasionally and and Optimists will contest for the second place. asking players how their game was going. Hartley Merlins look in trouble as do Redstarts.

It was a very interesting evening of boules play, with In Division 4 Bob1 and Goerge 2 sit first and second some very good, even fantastic, pointing & shooting but the teams below them, Old Sheaf Regulars, taking place. Walnut Fisherman, Villager B all have several games in hand. Walnut Tree and Crown B sit at the bottom

PAGE 10 but have games in hand over Villager B, Tovil Dean Lynn Fay Paul Kent 7 Treaclers and GRFC Saracens. Ashby Shrimpton Golder Hardwick Trevor Keith Charlie Steve Division 5 is another tight division where it is Kent 8 difficult to predict the outcome. White House Lions, Glen Atkinson Shrimpton Golder Harriers 2, Singleton Barn and Borstal Mudlarks all Kent Charles Philip Robert Alex look good for the top two places. Bridges look Juniors Fribbens Jarrett Cooter Bruce doomed but Bob 2, Ightham or Luddesdown Cocks could also join them. Kent Challenge Squad

In Division 6 again four teams are close at the top, Team Manager Martyn Fribbens Duke of Wellington 1, Tovil Miners, Pilot and Three Rob Mick Jeff Tuns are going to slug it out to the last game. The Kent 1 other end looks odd as two teams, Battle and Lloyds Willison Lucioni Mitchell 1 have only played 9 rounds (36 games) but New Ash Colin Joyce Kent 2 Mick Nash Green have played 13 (52 games). Lloyds 2 are also Senneck Nash not yet comfortable. Martin Alex Kent 3 Jes Paine Ron James Pennell James Division 7 has three teams in contention, Ditton Kiln Roy Larry Mark Barners, Lordswood 5, Hartley Owls. Village C look Kent 4 to be condemned but White House Senators, Colyer Pemberton Belcher Dennis Arms and Sydney Small Arms will be fighting to avoid the drop. Combined Squad (Kent)

Finally in Division 8 Hartley Kites look comfortable Team Managers David Littley & Janet Davenport (J) at the top with Lordswood 6 and Duke of Wellington Tracy Rowland Kris Luke 2 close behind. The middle of this division is quite 1 Turner Jones Smith Fribbens close but Ditton Streamliners are the strongest team Matthew Andrew Scott Steve in the league, holding everyone else up. 2 Whatley Shiner Ashby Brown

Alex David Sam Dave 3 Hutchinso Leigh Denyer Cover Kent Regional n Sheila Brian Keith Dave 4 King King Atkinson Blakely Information Charlie Garry Samantha Joshua Juniors Davenport Atkinson Littley Littley Kent Squads for Brean All players should note that if you are attending Brean for the Inter-Regionals but not staying on site, Kent Division 1 Squad a day-pass will be required. If you require a day pass, Head of Delegation: Corinne Cooter please advise Corinne Cooter. Also advise Corinne if you are bringing family or partners not on the list Team Managers John & Barbara Middleton, Mark above. Cooter (J) Team strip will be issued upon receipt of a deposit of Matt Dave Richard £35 for Kent Division 1 and Challenge Squads (£10 Kent 1 Horrigan Hurren Spillett for Combined Squad) on the evening of 8th Dave Kevin David September by the team managers. Division 1 and Kent 2 Turner Spillett Lavelle Challenge teams will be in red polo and jacket, Combined teams are in burgundy polo and cream Bruno Leigh Sylvan Kent 3 sweatshirt. All players must wear black trousers , Bove Maxey Borsi skirts or shorts. Don‘t forget your boules and Jean-Louis Phil Diz Kent 4 licences. Guiot Murray Murray George Martin Kent 5 tba Jarrett Baker Kent Coaching Greg Jennifer Trevor Kent 6 Junior Coaching and Playing Sessions at Davenport Cooter Gordon Lordswood

PAGE 11 Lordswood Petanque Club will be running Junior going to publication, there is no available report (this coaching and playing sessions on the 1st and 3rd will be included in the September edition). Saturday of the month starting on Sat 26th August 2006. The session will take place from 1030 to 1200 22 teams took place (as home nation, Switzerland had hours approximately and will be hosted by Innes two teams). In the final, France overcame Spain 13- Clark assisted by some of our other qualified coaches. 7. All youngsters from all over Kent of 17 years of age and under are very welcome to come and join in. The GB results were: Equipment can be provided for those without and no GB 2 Estonia 13 experience is necessary. GB 4 Holland 13 GB 13 Slovenia 10 We look forward to your joining us at our North GB 0 Spain 13 Dane Way, Lordswood venue for what we hope will be a fun session. In the Coupe de Nations, GB met Germany in the first round and lost 13-8 National News Champion of Champions/ Founders Cup Home Nations Triumph for From Mike Pegg œ National President One of the proposals presented by the EPA management committee to our 2006 Congress was to discontinue the Champion of Champions Doubles and Triples.

Over the last few years the majority of our regions have not sent the winners and runners up of the regional doubles and triples championships, mostly it has either been a much lower placing team or just teams willing to play.

This is against the spirit and design of both competitions and has lead to a general feeling of being —not worth it“ amongst many of the players, perhaps this is why each year we have fewer regions sending teams.

Kent players representing England in the Home We accept and acknowledge that a very limited Nations (courtesy of Mike Pegg). number of regions still treat these events seriously but Back Row l to r: Martin Pennell, Jes Paine, Dean it is by far the minority. Ashby, Stephen Brown, Front Row: Ron James, Alex James, Scott Ashby. (all Our intention is to replace these events with an from Bat & Ball and Tovil). international open tournament, much like the very The black arm bands are in respect of Michel. successful —Rochester Classic“ inviting not only teams from across the Channel but some of the top England easily won the event winning 80, 27, 37 GB teams as well. Unlike the Champion of (England, Scotland, Wales games won) in the seniors Champions this will give everyone an opportunity of and 19, 4, 13 in the juniors. The competition was taking part and perhaps playing against some of the held on the 12th and 13th August at Cardiff Yacht leading International teams. Club. We have already begun looking for a suitable prestigious venue and it is hoped that with your Results from European Junior agreement to our proposal that we shall be in a Championships position to hold the first EPA International Open Tournament next year in October. The European Junior Championships took place at Martigny in Switzerland on the weekend of 18th to However, there was some objection at the meeting to 20th August 2006. GB included two juniors from the plan of discontinuing the Champion of Kent, Jennifer and Robert Cooter.. At the time of Champions so we agreed to canvass every region for

PAGE 12 your view prior to committing our resources to this players but I would ask you all to inform your teams new venture. about their dress requirements.

I would be grateful if you would discuss this proposal I look forward to meeting you all at Brean and with your members and come back to me with your enjoying a busy weekend for all the right reasons. comments and or agreement.

There has to be a time limit on these discussions because if you agree we have a great deal of work to Emails & Letters do in a very short space of time, therefore would you Your emails are very welcome and I will always please send me by email your comments no later than publish your thoughts and comments (assuming they Monday 14th August. ( sorry, hopefully still possible, are publishable and you wish them to be shared). Ed ) Please send your emails for publication to [email protected] Letters are also welcome at Meanwhile I can assure you that this year‘s the address on Page 14. Champion of Champions Triples and Doubles will go ahead as planned on the Isle of Wight From Nigel Mansell, Fighting Cocks I write to explain the failure of The Old Cocks to Notes from John Thatcher, submit a team to continue its successful challenge for EPA National Umpire the Cup at the Semi-Finals tonight at Lordswood against Plough and Checkers 1. I am looking forward to umpiring my first Inter Firstly, I would like to place on record that The Old Regional Championships and Challenge Tournament Cocks were, to a man, committed to competing in this at Brean Sands and I am very aware that although event, and very much up for it. there will be three umpires we cannot be everywhere at once. For the event to run smoothly your co- The problem arose with the date published on the operation and that of all players and team managers is web for this event. It was the 11th of August, and essential. I remind you all to please thoroughly brief those of us with holidays planned had avoided this your teams that the dress code for this event is as date to ensure our availability for it. We knew the stated in the EPA National Competition rules article date in the hand book was 28th July but given this 9.2: was published at the start of the season, and already had incorrect date information, it was assumed that —…Inter-Regional Championship œ all teams must the web - a live communication tool - was correct. play in full Regional team kit comprising matching How wrong we were. tops and bottoms.“ We were only recently aware of this web error (the This means that matching (Regional) tops and handbook apparently being in this case correct) and it bottoms that are the same colour for the was by then too late to alter paid-for holidays and Championship and matching tops (colour) and plans, to enable any team to be submitted, let alone bottoms for the Challenge. Obviously tops may be a our best team. We could only muster 4 from 9. different colour to bottoms but regardless if they are So we followed the logical path to arrive at a sensible trousers, shorts or skirts etc the bottoms MUST be of solution to the problem - we phoned the Plough and the same colour. (Shorts may be worn as long as they Checkers to see if they would make another evening are decent and tidy). that suited both teams, and being the sympathetic sporting team they are, they were happy to oblige and I would also like to remind everyone of the make a contest of it. requirement for all players to wear correct footwear We then spoke to John Middleton, but were told that as stated in Article 39 of the Rules. — Decent dress is the 28th was always the date, the web date of 11th demanded of each player (bare torso and bare feet August was an error, and that we must submit a team are not acceptable) .“ on the designated night due to 'rule 3'. This This means flip flops and strapless sandals are not effectively hands the Cup semi-final to the Plough allowed and players will be asked to leave any games and Checkers, on a plate (no pun intended). they are involved in and change their footwear. (This Well, we cannot submit a team, so Kevin May has is a health and safety issue as much as complying tonight kindly done the honourable thing and is, as I with article 39). This may mean excluding players type, driving to Lordswood so that he can sign a card from as many ends as it takes to change their giving Plough and Checkers the match by forfeit. footwear. I do not wish this to happen and I do know how difficult it is to gain compliance from all team

PAGE 13 NB œ the date for the final has been moved by agreement of all teams to 1 st September

THORNE From J Snelling PROPERTY Player for Winter League MAINTENANCE Is there any team out there who maybe looking for players for the Winter League, I play for a Div 8 team Fascia . Soffits . Guttering . Bargeboards in the summer league but feel that the more practice I Double Glazing get the better I get hopefully. Please contact J. Snelling at [email protected] or —If it‘s broken let us fix it“ [email protected]

0800 977 5410 What‘s on in

Fax: 01634 408363 September? Mobile: 07817 911 716 KPA Triples Lordswood Sun 3 rd Triples 17.5% Discount to pétanque members Championship S&SC and their families Inter Regional Pontins Brean 9th - 10 th Triples MAINTENANCE OF Championships Sands Sport Shield Double WINDOWS & DOORS Sun 10 th Crowborough Sealed Units . Window Locks . Window Handles Doubles s Door Locks . Door Handles . Solar Film . Security Film National Club Gaskets . Sealant Hinges . Door Closers . Restrictors Sun 17 th Triples League The Crown, None of this is our doing, and to say it is galling for Sun 17 th Courage Cup Seal, Nr Triples us and the Plough and Checkers is an understatement. Sevenoaks So why is it that nothing can be done about this World Grenoble, unfortunate situation, where two clubs competing for 20 th - 24 th Triples a place in the final of the cup cannot (are not allowed Championships France to!) play on any night other than the 'designated night' EPA Junior Double - a date which was believed by all cup teams, and Sat 23 rd Isle of Wight Doubles s plate teams, to be the wrong date as the web is EPA Junior regarded as 'current'? Sun 24 th Isle of Wight Triples We have not thrown the towel in on this one. We Triples would still like the opportunity to compete, and there The is plenty of time between now and the final (which Old Sheaf Wheatsheaf, Double Sun 24 th we all assume is 25th August as this is the date in Doubles Luton, s both the handbook and on the web?) to refix a match Chatham with the Plough and Checkers at Lordswood. This seems a fair and amicable solution to the whole of the Old Cocks team, and one we put to the new region's management to reply to us on. Editor‘s Note I would also like to know from other Kent Petanquers if they feel we have a case? The views expressed in the KENT PETANQUE The very least that should happen in future is for GAZETTE are those of the editor and contributors semi-final and final dates to be fixed at the end of the only. They do not, necessarily, reflect the views of the season when most players are not on summer Kent Pétanque Association or the British Pétanque holidays. Failing that sensible suggestion being Federation or the English Pétanque Association possible to implement, then when errors are made on dates, some consultation should take place to agree a date everyone can make, and common sense prevail.

The Kent Pétanque Gazette is edited by: Martyn Fribbens and issued 10 times per year Any items for inclusion should be sent to: The Editor, Kent Pétanque Gazette, 16 Old Downs, Hartley,

Longfield, Kent DA3 7AA PAGE 14 Tel : 01474 707280 E-mail : [email protected]