Pétanque is played in various locations around Rye with the Cinque Ports Tuesday evening league continuing to compete for the last 30 years. Sadly, no Rye pub has taken part in the last three years, but it is played in the surrounding villages and supported by players from Rye.
Pétanque is a sport that is similar to boules or bocce, and is played with small metal balls and a target ball called a cochonnet.
The game is usually played on a dirt or gravel surface and is a popular leisure activity in many parts of the world. It’s not an expensive game to play.
In England, it is mainly a pub game which people find very easy to pick up in a very short time. It can be played by all members of a family, and teams who use it for a social evening recommend it to their friends.
Pétanque is a leisure activity that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and abilities. It can help to reduce stress and anxiety and improve overall mental well-being. It is a low-impact sport that can help improve cardiovascular fitness. The sport also requires players to use their upper body strength to throw the balls and their lower body strength to move around the court. Over time, this can help to increase muscle strength and endurance. Playing pétanque also helps with balance and coordination, and increases flexibility.
Locations include the New Inn Winchelsea, Rye Bay Caravan Park Winchelsea Beach, Queens Head Icklesham, Two Sawyers Pett, Royal Oak Pett, Rye Harbour Social Club, Rose and Crown Beckley, Cross Inn Staplecross, White Dog Ewhurst Green, White Hart Newenden, Tenterden Club, Crown Tenterden, Warren New Romney and Varne Boat Club Greatstone.
Pétanque competitions are held:
- 3 April, Blind Doubles, Pub 31 Winchelsea Beach
- 5 July, Mick Broad singles, Pub 31 Winchelsea Beach
- 9 August, John Goodsell mixed doubles, Pett Village Hall
- 6 September, Rod Hull doubles, Queens Head Icklesham
For those interested in playing in the league or in the villages, contact Dennis Leeds-George via email leedsgeorge1@gmail.com
There is a boules/pétanque pitch on the Strand Quay where groups meet to play on Tuesdays at 10am until 12noon and on Wednesdays, organised by U3A, from 10am to 12 noon.