You do not have to speak French to play Boules. You
do not even have to go to France.
Associated with Les Amitiés Françaises de Waverley since 1991, Les Amitiés Boules
Club meets at the Foresters Arms at Kirdford in West Sussex on the first, third,
and fifth Saturdays of each month at 10:00 am and each Wednesday afternoon or
evening depending on the season, play takes place all year round.
Boules, also known as Pétanque, is a game quintessentially French, but with
enthusiasts all over the world. One of the glories of the game is that men,
women, children, people of all ages and the disabled can participate on an equal
footing.
The game is not dissimilar to British lawn bowling (which is played with biased
balls). In France Boules is traditionally played with metallic balls on any
area of village spare ground with a dirt or gravel surface or more seriously
under plane trees at the local Boulodrome, wherever played it is often accompanied
by a glass of pastis, cognac or beer to sustain the players.
You will be more likely to find a glass of finely casked English ale at a meeting
of the Amitiés Boules Club. With 57 members, Les Amitiés competes in the North
Downs Pétanque League. Unlike sessions of Les Amitiés Françaises de Waverley
where French is the working language, English is used at meetings of the Boules
club. The club welcomes friendly fixtures on a home and away basis; returning
annually to Jersey for the Jersey Open Competition and planning further excursions
in Europe.
Members of Les Amitiés Françaises de Waverley and members’ guests are welcome
at any time. We are also always ready to welcome our friends from other Boules
clubs. Visitors are encouraged to use the facilities by arrangement.
The Terrain
Our purpose built terrain has 7 pistes accommodating up to 42 players and is
equipped with flood lights. The terrain set in a well tended garden is one of
the most attractive in the south and Marlene Oliver’s team at the Foresters
Arms look after us splendidly, with excellent refreshment.
Play With Us
If you haven’t yet experienced the fun of playing Pétanque –
a game for all ages - try it out. Club members are happy to be on hand to give
guidance and encourage new players and boule can be provided.
Contact us
