Petanque may be played in St Peter Port

Petanque may be played in St Peter Port if plans put forward by the Town Centre Partnership are approved.

It has suggested two courts could be built on land by the QEII Marina, near the entrance to North Beach from the Weighbridge Roundabout.

The project has been estimated at costing £1,500 and the aim is to encourage islanders to play the sport during the day and after work.

The public will be allowed to comment on the plans until 17 February.

Deputy Jack Honeybill, chief executive of the partnership, said the site "is absolutely perfect".

He said he had spoken to the parish douzaine and harbour authority and gained their support ahead of submitting the plans.

Continue reading the main story Petanque originated in Provence, in southern France, in 1907
It can be played by two, four or six people in two teams
Players take turns to throw their boules as close to the conchonnet, or jack, as possible
The scoring is similar to bowls as the winning team receives one point for each boule they have closer to the conchonnet than the closest opposition throw
The first team to score 13 points wins
Deputy Honeybill said he hoped it would be up and running in time for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations in June.

David Bartram, a petanque player who championed the idea, said he hoped it would mirror the success of a similar scheme in Jersey.

The addition of courts in St Helier saw an increase in the number of younger players taking up the sport as competitive leagues were introduced at lunchtimes and after work.

Mr Bartram said: "It's about getting people away from their desks, getting out into the fresh air and then they'll go back to work refreshed."
(from BBC)

Good plans .. hope they do it .but a shame the sunken garden was not used for this instead