Boules Up In France!

Well next Thursday morning myself and twenty seven others will be making are way to France to the French town of Azay le Rideaue to play the locals at their own game of Boules. The four night trip which has been organised by the people who live in the village of Croston against the town that we are twinned with in France, also marks the 20th anniversary of the Boules league in Croston.

I started playing the game one summers evening about four years ago when my local pub the Black Horse were short of players. Even though I lost my game to someone nearly twice my age (and I’m not that young), I really enjoyed myself. Thinking it would be only a one off, the captain of the Black Horse team asked if I would be interested playing regularly, which I thought why not and have done ever since on a Tuesday evening. It’s amazing though since I have started playing we have been league champions and cup winners twice – what a coincidence!

The game of Boules was actually introduced to the village of Croston through French exchange students coming over from the twinned town of Azay le Rideaue. Then one of the founder members of the Boules league, Peter Briggs thought with the number of the pubs that we are lucky to have in our Village and the surrounding area that we could have competitions against each now and again. The competitions seem to be a great success but they were only occasional, so then not long after a League was set up. Today there are now twelve teams, where we play home and away fixtures from the month of April through to September on a Tuesday evening. We also still play in half a dozen cup competitions that are usually on a Sunday morning and afternoon (if you lucky not to be knocked out early on!)

Not that I need an excuse to go to the pub, the great thing about the game is that it can be played by all ages and you don’t have to be really fit as long as you can bend down and pick your boules up. It’s great to see teenagers and the older generation mixing in a game when there is no advantage to having youth on your side. The other thing it supports is the local pubs in the village, games start at about 6:45 and finish about 9:30 – 10:00pm although most people are there to closing time.

So I can’t wait to play against the locals in France in their backyard at their own game, then again I’m looking forward to the wine tasting trips and other events that has been organised whilst we are there.

So here’s to a good Booze trip, I mean Boules.