News
Jul 21, 2010
Basildon’s first Petanque square opens at Lake Meadows
BASILDON'S first Petanque square is now open for use in Billericay's Lake Meadows.
Work was completed on the French Boules square on Friday (16 July) and it is now open for all to enjoy.
One person who will be making use of the new facility is Lewis Paul from the Billericay Petanque Group.
The project, inspired by Mr Paul and his group, cost £15,000 in total and was joint funded by Basildon District Council, Essex Essex County Council Community Initiatives Fund, and Veolia ES Cleanaway Pitsea Marshes Trust.
Mr Paul, 74, of Billericay, said: "This development will open up the opportunity for everybody to play French Boules. It's a game for all ages and abilities and can also be played by people with certain disabilities.
"It's also an inexpensive game to play in that you don't need special clothing or footwear. All you need is a set of French boules.
"I'd like to thank Basildon Council and its partners for its cooperation in making this project such a success."
Councillor Phil Turner, Basildon Council's cabinet member for Resources, said: "I would like to thank our partners for contributing funding to the Billericay Petanque Initiation Group who have got this facility underway in Billericay. I'm sure it will become a much loved attraction for the whole district and form a central part of one Billericay's prime parks.
Councillor Kevin Blake, Basildon's cabinet member for Leisure and Arts, added: "On behalf of the Council I'd like to give a special thanks to Lewis Paul of the Billericay Petanque Initiation Group, who was instrumental in getting this project going.
"This facility is a welcome addition to Lake Meadows and one that I'm sure will bring joy to so many for years to come."
Petanque, which is the French name for boules, is a game where the goal is, while standing with the feet together, to throw metal balls as close as possible to a small wooden ball or jack.
The game is normally played on hard dirt or gravel, but can also be played on grass, sand or other surfaces.
The Petanque Square in Lake Meadows will be filled with chippings and covered with a layer of grit.
There will be a formal opening in August.
Work was completed on the French Boules square on Friday (16 July) and it is now open for all to enjoy.
One person who will be making use of the new facility is Lewis Paul from the Billericay Petanque Group.
The project, inspired by Mr Paul and his group, cost £15,000 in total and was joint funded by Basildon District Council, Essex Essex County Council Community Initiatives Fund, and Veolia ES Cleanaway Pitsea Marshes Trust.
Mr Paul, 74, of Billericay, said: "This development will open up the opportunity for everybody to play French Boules. It's a game for all ages and abilities and can also be played by people with certain disabilities.
"It's also an inexpensive game to play in that you don't need special clothing or footwear. All you need is a set of French boules.
"I'd like to thank Basildon Council and its partners for its cooperation in making this project such a success."
Councillor Phil Turner, Basildon Council's cabinet member for Resources, said: "I would like to thank our partners for contributing funding to the Billericay Petanque Initiation Group who have got this facility underway in Billericay. I'm sure it will become a much loved attraction for the whole district and form a central part of one Billericay's prime parks.
Councillor Kevin Blake, Basildon's cabinet member for Leisure and Arts, added: "On behalf of the Council I'd like to give a special thanks to Lewis Paul of the Billericay Petanque Initiation Group, who was instrumental in getting this project going.
"This facility is a welcome addition to Lake Meadows and one that I'm sure will bring joy to so many for years to come."
Petanque, which is the French name for boules, is a game where the goal is, while standing with the feet together, to throw metal balls as close as possible to a small wooden ball or jack.
The game is normally played on hard dirt or gravel, but can also be played on grass, sand or other surfaces.
The Petanque Square in Lake Meadows will be filled with chippings and covered with a layer of grit.
There will be a formal opening in August.