Arena Petanque Club plays petanque at North Notts Community Arena Worksop at 1.00pm on Wednesdays and Sundays. If anyone wishes to try the game please visit the club on one of these days. They are happy to loan boules for you to have a try.
The Club is also twinned with the petanque club at Isigny sur Mer in Normandy France.
Recently, they hosted their French friends from Isigny sur Mer to play at the Arena. Isigny brought nine players for the annual competition between the two clubs. As Arena Petanque Club had 25 members who were all interested in playing in the competition, they opted to run two competitions – one for their newer members on Thursday and one for their established players on the Friday.
Since they were playing on a piste familiar to them they were hopeful of winning at least one of the competitions. Unfortunately it was not to be. Whilst they won several of the games against the French, the visiting club had the majority of wins and so took the trophy back to France.
However, members were very glad to meet old friends for a few days. This being the 30th anniversary of their twinning, they also had a party at Scrooby Village Hall which was decorated in appropriate colours for the UK and France. This was an excellent evening enjoyed by all with a wonderful speech in both languages by the Club’s president. Photos were shared of the many meetings they have enjoyed together with gifts exchanged between the two clubs. And finally, a cake celebrating their 30 years twinning – half for each club to enjoy.
So now they wait until next year when some of Arena’s members shall return to France for another competition. Although several members are in regular contact with their French friends throughout the year.