Melrose/Gala club seeks new home venue

The team from Melrose/Gala Pétanque Club which represented Scotland in the Home Nations Championship held in Jersey in August 2018. From left, Peter Harrington, whose role was 'milieu', Ron Anderson, 'pointer' and Charlie Coward. ' shooter'.

For the last five years, the club has played the boules game of pétanque on the former tennis courts at Kingsknowes Hotel in Galashiels.

But tough conditions for businesses at present have brought the arrangement to an end.

Pétanque is a game you may have seen, or even played, on holiday abroad. Originating in Provence, France, it is a two- team game, similar to boules, where the aim is to toss or roll hollow steel balls as close as possible to the jack.

An informal arrangement with the hotel’s management allowed the club to host visitors from other Scottish clubs for national competitions.

Last year, the club came top of the South of Scotland Pétanque League, while in 2018, it sent three members to play in Jersey as part of the Scottish team for the Home Nations competition.

“However,” explained club president Peter Harrington, “in these difficult trading times, the Kingsknowes has decided to utilise the playing area to accommodate outdoor catering arrangements.

“Now that we are without a home ground, we would like to appeal to other local sporting clubs, such as bowls, cricket or tennis, etc., in the Galashiels/Melrose area, to see if they could create a space for our sport.”

Mr Harrington added: “A playing area of approximately 12 metres by six metres would give us the ability to continue to play league matches. Or perhaps the (Scottish Borders) Council has knowledge of suitable land and clubhouse we could utilise? We would be grateful for any help or suggestions in securing a suitable venue.”

Anyone who can help can phone Peter Harrington on 0789 527 5669.