Boules . . .
Sunday 3rd September 2023
Sunday 3rd September saw members of Truro twinning competing in the annual Boules Tournament in Boscawen Park. The sunny weather was ideal with a slight breeze to make playing comfortable.
For those who don’t know, Eddie Jones was a founder member of twinning back in the late 70s. He rarely missed a game of boules and could be relied upon to make up a team at the County Championship.
When he died, he left a small legacy to TMTA, and it was decided at the AGM to buy some boules trophies and set up an annual competition in his name.
Eddie was proud of his city. At the bottom of Infirmary Hill, almost hidden in a small patch of shrubbery, is a plaque commemorating the good work he did for Truro.
Play commenced soon after the draw was made at 1.00pm and continued throughout the afternoon. The final turned out to be a family affair with Chris Gerring winning the main trophy by 13 points to 12 and proving you should never give up when you are behind but keep trying until the end. Her husband, John, received the Runner Up trophy.
In the secondary competition Lilian Polkinghorne won the Penrose Trophy, beating Jean Anderson by 13 points to 4.
The Mayor of Truro, Carol Swain, came to watch the proceedings along with Sarah Douglas Martin, and presented the trophies and prizes.
Lilian Polkinghorne
Boules 2023
Margaret George announced at the 23rd March AGM that our traditional starting date of Easter Monday is not convenient for the majority of the regular players this year. She said that we shall instead start regular playing on Sunday 16th April '23. The usual pattern is that we play from 11.00.am to 1.00. or 1.30. pm each Sunday morning, except the second Sunday of the month when the U3A group use the piste. All are very welcome to come along to play, or try it out or just to watch, and there is enough equipment for all, whether or not you have your own boules.
Sunday 2nd October 2022
The weather forecast was dire, promising torrential rain and even thunder and lightning, but when the day of the Tournament dawned it turned out to be a glorious balmy autumn day. The sun shone on the piste in Boscawen Park and the usual cold wind off the river favoured us with its absence.
The Mayor of Truro, Cllr. Stephen Webb came to watch and to present the trophies and prizes. Mike Matcham won the Main Competition beating Anne Moodie in the final by 13 points to 7. Mike was presented with the main trophy and Anne was presented with the runner up trophy. In a secondary competition Sam Rabey won the Penrose Trophy beating Lilian Polkinghorne in the final by 13 points to 5. Lilian Polkinghorne |
Sunday 12th June 2022
All played well, and the Truro Team C finished up runners-up to Callington. Our Team A (best of losers) lost in the finals to Saltash.
11am on Sunday mornings (except 2nd Sun in the month)
Do please come along to the piste in Boscawen Park at 11.00. on Sunday's. You do not need to have your own boules, but most people take a chair, warm clothes, and a flask and/or lunch.
it's every week except the second Sunday of the month, although we don't play if the weather is wet.
We look forward to seeing you.
Best wishes
Margaret
Margaret George, Secretary, TMTA
Sunday 12th September 2021
Sunday 12th September saw the revival of the annual TMTA Boules Tournament after a break last year because of Covid. Held in memory of founder member Eddie Jones, the tournament took place at the boules piste in Boscawen Park, Truro. The rain that had been forecast held off, and the knock out competition took place under cloudy skies, but dry conditions.
After several rounds of play the final match of the main competition took place between Peter Coxwell and Jean Anderson , with Peter winning by 13 points to 6, and so retaining the trophy he had won in 2019.
In the final of the Plate Competition (for those eliminated in the first round), Cllr Bob Smith played against Susanne Deneke, with Bob winning by 13 points to 9.
We were very pleased to welcome the Mayor of Truro, Cllr Steven Webb, who was there to watch both finals and to present the trophies.
Lilian Polkinghorne
We shall be playing each week starting from Sunday 15th August. Do come along to the piste in Boscawen Park at 11.00 on Sunday's. You do not need to have your own boules, but most people take a chair, warm clothes, and a flask and/or lunch.
I shall not be sending out weekly reminders about the boules - it's every week except the second Sunday of the month with the last meeting on 5th Dec '21 until next Spring.
We look forward to seeing you.
Best wishes
Margaret
Margaret George, Secretary, TMTA
The Eddie Jones Annual Memorial Tournament,
Sunday 25th August 2019
The tournament took place in Boscawen Park, Truro, in glorious sunshine.
Fourteen members of the Truro/Morlaix Twinning Association turned up to take part, ranging from a complete novice to much more experienced players.
After four rounds of concentrated playing, this year’s winner of the Eddie Jones Memorial Trophy proved to be Peter Coxwell, with Denis Hendy winning the Runner up Trophy. Brian Kirkpatrick won the Penrose Trophy.
Marian, the Mayoress of Truro, presented the trophies to the winners at the end of a perfect day.
Lilian Polkinghorne
Many thanks to Lilian and Mike for organising the boules competition.
The competition was followed by a barbecue, kindly hosted by Alison and Brian. Everyone enjoyed the delicious food and convivial company. Grateful thanks to Alison and Brian, and also to Peter who ran the bar, and Janine who organised the raffle.
The two events together made a profit of £238.92, which goes into the Association funds.
The Twinning Committee for Cornwall Annual Boules Tournament
Sunday 9th August 2019
This year’s tournament took place on Sunday June 9th at the piste in Boscawen Park, having returned to Truro after several years held at Seaton in south east Cornwall.
Gazebos, erected to give shelter from the sun, instead gave protection to players and spectators alike when in mid afternoon the heavens opened to prolonged heavy rain and hail, flooding the paths and the piste and causing a 20 minute stoppage until the tournament could be resumed.
13 teams from across the county competed for the shield with the eventual winners being Saltash. Callington were runners up and Truro won the lower tier trophy.
Lilian Polkinghorne
Sue Lumley (TCC Chairman, presenting the trophy), Anne Moodie.
Boules Programme 2019
When: First Sunday of every month from 11am, weather permitting.
During the summer months only.
Where: Boules Pitch, Boscawen Park, Truro
The Boules pitch is on the road side of the cricket pavilion at the far end of the park.
Come along, bring a picnic, and enjoy the fun!
The County Boules Competition takes place each year at various venues, and was held here in Truro
on Sunday 9th June '19.
For further information contact our Boules Organiser,
Lilian Polkinghorne [email protected]
Basic Rules of Boules (Pétanque):
Singles and Doubles - 3 boules per player
Triples - only 2 boules per player
Decide which team will start, and any player from that team may begin.
Stand with feet together in a small circle and throw the jack (cochonnet—piglet).
The same player throws a boule, palm down, to land as close as possible to the jack.
A player from the second team throws, trying to get closer to the jack.
The team farthest away throws next, and keeps throwing until they get closest.
When all boules have been thrown, then scoring takes place.
Count the number closer to the jack than your opponents.
The winner of that ‘end’ draws a circle at the other end and the game continues.
First to reach 13 wins (or whatever number is decided by the organiser).