![logo.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/664b49_71b222168fd94a54ad99cafe7c5f00b8~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_188,h_87,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/logo.jpg)
This is no longer the website for Croydon Petanque Club.
We have a shiny new website and a new domain name.
Visit our new home at www.croydonpetanque.club
We will keep this site's content in place for the time being, but will no longer be maintaining it.
News and Announcements
Thursday June 4th
Coronavirus - Updated advice from Petanque England
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Petanque England has issued new playing guidance:
COVID-19 UPDATE: PLAY SAFE GUIDELINES - RETURN TO RESTRICTED PLAY
The Government has further eased restrictions from Monday 1st June around some activities, and these have implications for the playing of our sport. We are not making recommendations as to whether any individual should or should not return to playing,
everyone must make their own decision based on their particular circumstances and with reference to the guidance available please see:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-andcant-do/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do#public-spaces--outdooractivities--exercise
Do not leave your home to play pétanque if Government advice means you should stay at home because you or someone you live with has or has had symptoms of COVID-19, or you are in the most vulnerable category and have been advised to shield from the coronavirus.
Additionally, there are a number of groups - those over 70, those with specific pre-existing conditions and pregnant women – who continue to be advised to minimise contact with others. We believe that playing pétanque does not minimise that contact, and we recommend that players in those categories should not play until restrictions are eased further.
Given the latest Government advice and also to ensure that safety is our number one priority, our advice to our members that choose to play from Monday 1st June 2020 is to follow the good practice guidance set out below.
GENERAL
• Contact your club or playing venue to ensure that pitches are available for use. It may be necessary for clubs to arrange some sort of booking system to avoid overcrowding as maintaining a 2m distance between persons from different households is imperative;
• Large gatherings at venues must not happen. No matches should take place on adjacent lanes;
• Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before leaving home and on return (or use an alcohol gel if washing hands is not possible);
• Consumption together in groups of six of food and drinks is possible at venues if space permits for 2m social distancing to be observed. You must not pass each other food or drink unless you live together. You must not use plates or utensils that someone from another house has touched - either bring your own or ensure you have thoroughly cleaned them before using;
• Spectators should only attend if they can watch safely, do not cause overcrowding and fully respect 2m social distancing;
• Players may wish to consider wearing a face covering. The evidence suggests that wearing a face covering does not protect you but it may protect others if you are infected but have not developed symptoms.
TRAVELLING TO AND FROM THE VENUE
• Avoid using public transport if possible;
• Avoid touching gates, fences, benches, etc. if you can;
• Only congregate after playing in groups of no more of six and maintain 2m social
distancing.
DURING PLAY
• If the physical space at venues allows for 2m social distancing between players from different households, matches can be Singles, Doubles or Triples. We recommend that players and clubs consider carefully through risk assessment whether restricting play to Singles and Doubles is a better and safer option for their venues;
• Each player should touch their own boules and equipment only;
• Each player should have their own jack to throw when it is their turn or their team’s turn. If a jack is invalidly thrown, the other player or player in the other team must place their own jack, not pick up the jack that has been invalidly thrown;
• Plastic circles should not be used; instead players must mark circles with their feet or a marker which should be only used by them;
• Maintaining social distancing of 2m between players must be observed at all times. This is particularly important when playing Doubles or Triples where there will be up to six players on an individual pitch. If possible you should stand side on, even at 2m distance, and avoid standing face to face;
• Clean your equipment before and after use;
• No static or club provided scoreboards should be used, pocket scorers should be used by one player only.
PE Board, 31st May 2020
The club's position, as agreed by the the committee is as follows:
Please note that the Club will remain closed.
If members wish to play, then they should make their own arrangements direct with one another.
As the Croydon piste is in a public park and is open to use by non-members, the Club cannot run a reliable booking system. However, we would emphasise that any members who do play must observe the Government's guidelines on numbers and social distancing.
The committee is considering the possibility of running a merit table while our normal competitions are suspended.
We will keep the situation under review to see when it will be possible to recommence the Club sessions, in light of any further easing of the restrictions.
Tuesday May 12th
Coronavirus - Updated advice from Petanque England
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Following the updated position by HM Government, Petanque England have revised their advice for play. This can be viewed by clicking on this link.
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Our position is unchanged and the club remains closed until further notice.
Thursday April 16th
Mark Barlow
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![Mark](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/664b49_443572e5c857413189f6c3dae9aa0796~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_60,h_73,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/664b49_443572e5c857413189f6c3dae9aa0796~mv2.jpg)
![Mark02](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/664b49_2ff4784d895243888d435d9fba6d6859~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_115,h_86,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/664b49_2ff4784d895243888d435d9fba6d6859~mv2.jpg)
Describe your image
![CPC at Limehouse 2018](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/664b49_76b9e062eaae427881ceb4752fc86f81~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_115,h_86,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/664b49_76b9e062eaae427881ceb4752fc86f81~mv2.jpg)
Describe your image
![Mark](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/664b49_443572e5c857413189f6c3dae9aa0796~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_60,h_73,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/664b49_443572e5c857413189f6c3dae9aa0796~mv2.jpg)
It is with great sadness that we have to announce the death of CPC member Mark Barlow, at 8 p.m. last night. He had been in hospital being treated for the Coronavirus but regrettably was not able to overcome it.
A truly sad loss and I know you will join us in sending our thoughts to his family.
Mark had been a member of Croydon Petanque Club for at least 17 years, becoming the 135th member. Truly passionate about the game, he was a regular at competitions outside of our Club, from Hayling Island to Gravesend, over to Jersey and even to New York (with London PC).
In 2019 Mark was part of Petanque England's Veterans Team, gaining his shirt and Legacy number 21.
He always had time for everyone, a true gentleman. A cheeky smile and a good sense of humour. Always willing to coach and pass on tips, encouraging people to have a go, to build their confidence and importantly to reassure them that if it didn't work, then to have another go.
Mark was a good friend to many of us and had made lasting friendships over the years within the Petanque family.
When we can, we will meet at the piste and join in remembering Mark.
Tuesday March 17th
Club Statement on Covide-19
Following the recent advice from the Government on Social Distancing and from Petanque England that a suspension of playing activities should be implemented, your Committee has reluctantly decided that all activities of the Club will be suspended forthwith, initially until 31st May.
As we are sure you will appreciate, we have not taken this decision lightly, but we consider this to be in the best interests of the health and well-being of our members, their families and friends and, of course, the community at large.
We will review the position at the end of May in the light of the advice current at that time and we would also hope to be able to re-arrange the competitions once we can re-commence playing.
Whilst we realise that the terrain is a public place and members may carry on playing and arrange games between themselves, we wish to make it clear that any such activities would be outside the auspices of the Club and we would advise against playing in the current circumstances as we believe that this would constitute ‘unnecessary social contact’
Lastly, some members have keys to the Clubhouse but during this time, access should be limited to retrieving personal equipment only.
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Sunday March 8th
Congratulations to Linda Greenwood and Esther Guisi, who finished runners-up in today's International Women's Day competition at Vauxhall. They won their opening 4 matches but lost their final 2 to finish with a 4-2 record. Great effort girls.
![img-20200308-wa0001_edited_edited.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/664b49_ee6133ae924e4b189b2aa6780c9ec630~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_178,h_253,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_3,enc_auto/img-20200308-wa0001_edited_edited.jpg)
Older News:
Following our AGM, we now have a new secretary and 2 new committee members. We also have a new email address - croydonpetanque@gmail.com.
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In response to member requests, we will have a new midweek competition this Summer. This will be held on Wednesday July 1st, and will not count towards any of our 3 aggregating competitions - the Points marathon, Grand Prix or Millenium Trophy.
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As we did last year we have made our Past Member's Memorial Trophy competition an Open Triples. This will be held on Saturday 20th of June. Watch this space for entry details.
2020 Playing Calendar
March
Sunday 1st - League competitions open - to be rescheduled
April
May
June
Saturday 25th - Club Singles - to be rescheduled
Saturday 16th - Founders Cup - to be rescheduled
Saturday 20th - Past Members Memorial Trophy (Open Triples)
July
Wednesday 1st - New midweek competition
Saturday 18th - Club Doubles
August
September
Sunday 9th - Sid and Jean Hope Competitions
Sunday 6th - Drawn Pairs
Wednesday 30th - League competitions close
October
November
December
Sunday 4th - President's Shield
Sunday 13th - Christmas Melee
About Us
The club was founded in 1996 and is open to players of all abilities.
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We are a friendly club and welcome new members, while those just wishing to try out the sport can play up to 3 taster sessions without obligation. We have some boules available for anyone who does not have their own and there is no formal dress code or special footwear required.
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We play all year round, but probably not when it's actually raining but, as can be seen from the photo, snow doesn't necessarily stop us.
Some of our more experienced members are able to provide basic coaching for complete beginners.
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We are affiliated to Petanque England, formerly the English Petanque Association (EPA) & members wishing to play in Petanque England or other open competitions are encouraged to join Petanque England.
Meeting Times & Membership
Our Meeting Times:
Sundays & Wednesdays: 10:00 am until around 1:00 pm
Fridays & Saturdays: 1:00 pm until around 4:00 pm (Dusk in Summer)
Membership Subscriptions are currently:
£12.00 per annum for Seniors, £3.00 per annum for Juniors up to age 18, £6.00 per annum for long distance members (over 20 miles)
Contact Details and Officers
​President: Linda Greenwood
Treasurer: Terry Eames
Secretary: John Desbottes
Contact email: croydonpetanque@gmail.com
How to find us
We play in Ashburton Park, Lower Addiscombe Road, Croydon, CR0 6NN and can be found opposite the Tenterden Road Park Entrance (See Map).
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We are well served by public transport and ample car parking is available via the Tenterden Road park entrance.
Blackhorse Lane & Woodside Tram Stops are within 7 minutes walk.
Buses 130, 289 & 312 are also within 7 minutes walk.
What's the Weather Like?
What is Petanque?
Petanque is sometimes referred to as "French Boules", where players try to get their boules closer to the small wooden coche (more properly cochonet).
It is played between teams of 2 or 3, or as a singles game. In the singles or doubles format, each player has 3 boules, while in triples each player has 2. There is no gender distinction. The side whose boule is nearest to the coche wins the end and gain a point for each of their boules that is nearer to the coche than their opponents' nearest. Matches are played to 13 points.
For formal play, we use "Match" boules, which are metal (and clearly stamped "MATCH"). These come in various sizes (max 70.5mm max 80 mm) and weights (650-800 gm) and with various styles of decoration. A decent set will cost upwards of £75, and can be purchased on-line.
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Petanque can be played on any surface with a minimum formal dimension of 12m by 3m.
Photo Gallery
![Mark](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5fa998_470c2af957a748f7ba68d598ab002448~mv2.jpeg/v1/fill/w_120,h_159,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/5fa998_470c2af957a748f7ba68d598ab002448~mv2.jpeg)
![Mark in Guernsey 2019_1](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5fa998_e556f4b35e4a4e0a832621e74bab77a5~mv2.jpeg/v1/fill/w_90,h_115,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/5fa998_e556f4b35e4a4e0a832621e74bab77a5~mv2.jpeg)
![Mark Prizegiving](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5fa998_b0f4e7756c524f288001e4947173149e~mv2.jpeg/v1/fill/w_154,h_115,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/5fa998_b0f4e7756c524f288001e4947173149e~mv2.jpeg)
![Mark Guernsey Registration](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5fa998_71e9c10e7a8240939368a17de003fead~mv2.jpeg/v1/fill/w_112,h_159,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/5fa998_71e9c10e7a8240939368a17de003fead~mv2.jpeg)
![Mark in Guernsey 2019_2](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5fa998_6f95119806bc4f3da5742548040a13f3~mv2.jpeg/v1/fill/w_154,h_115,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/5fa998_6f95119806bc4f3da5742548040a13f3~mv2.jpeg)
![Chilterns Challenge London Squad 12_10_2](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5fa998_8bbb1adba0e94d5e86572b8647072798~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_152,h_114,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/5fa998_8bbb1adba0e94d5e86572b8647072798~mv2.jpg)
![Atlantic Ttophy Plate Winners 2019](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5fa998_ea9e7abfdbf1474793fda2307cf582d9~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_116,h_155,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/5fa998_ea9e7abfdbf1474793fda2307cf582d9~mv2.jpg)
![Mark, Simon & Keith Triples Team](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5fa998_402680c494bd4340a55340f3570c203a~mv2.jpeg/v1/fill/w_154,h_115,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/5fa998_402680c494bd4340a55340f3570c203a~mv2.jpeg)
![Hayling Island Challenge Squad 2019](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5fa998_4a6fd8b5c7884c6eb4b0364236cd7ad0~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_149,h_111,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/5fa998_4a6fd8b5c7884c6eb4b0364236cd7ad0~mv2.jpg)
Links
Petanque England (Formerly EPA) Website: www.englishpetanque.org.uk
London Petanque Association Website: https://londonpetanque.co.uk
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London Petanque Club https://londonpetanqueclub.co.uk/
EPA Coaching Video
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