Et voilà! New Pétanque Court Officially Opened

A new pétanque court has been officially opened in Market Harborough’s Welland Park.

The piste near the café was created after the Harborough Welland U3A group approached the district council about a lack of provision to play the popular French boules game in the local area.

Kev Millard, co-ordinator of the U3A’s pétanque group, told HFM it is a great new facility:

Cllr Jo Asher, Cabinet lead for culture, leisure, economy and tourism, Allan Edwards, President of Central Pétanque Association, Cllr Peter James, Chairman, Cllr Phil Knowles, Council Leader, Cllr Darren Woodiwiss, Cabinet lead for environmental and climate change, pictured with pétanque players Pic: Andy Carpenter

The area already proven to be very popular not just with clubs, but with the residents who just want to turn up and play, as equipment can be loaned from the near-by cafe.

Chairman of Harborough District Council Cllr Peter James was joined by members of local pétanque groups and the President of Central Pétanque Association, on behalf of Pétanque England when he declared the new pétanque court open.

Cllr James said: “I am delighted to formally open this fantastic sport and social facility for the community in Market Harborough and the wider area.

“I am so pleased that the council has been able to help to bring an idea from a group of residents to fruition and people of all ages benefit from the area for years to come.”

Cllr Jo Asher,  Cllr Peter James, Cllr Phil Knowles & Cllr Darren Woodiwiss at the official opening Pic: Andy Carpenter

Two new outdoor table tennis tables have also been installed and new benches will be placed in the area soon.

The council used a grant of £12,000 from the government’s UK Shared Prosperity Funding (UKSPF) to the project.