I can’t tell you how many times I’ve walked past Willow Bank Bowling Club in Dowanhill. Walked past it, never visited. So Westender was delighted to be invited in for a chat on all things pétanque…
By Tracy Mukherjee
La France… in Dowanhill
Let’s get one thing straight from the offset. A bowler, I am not. Whether it be 10-pin, bare-feet bowling at Kelvingrove… beware others on lanes aside me. I’m coming for you.
Which luckily has no bearing on why I’m visiting Willow Bank Bowling Club. For pétanque is also not bowling. The popular French past time may have bowls (boules actually) but that’s where the similarity stops.
A Warm Welcome at Willow Bank
I am versed on the intricacies of the sport by my hosts today, Glasgow Pétanque Club. The club was formed in 2018. Where lawn bowls are seasonal, club secretary Shona Knight tells me, pétanque can be played year-round. And with the second bowling lawn at Willow Bank being underused at that time, the pétanque pistes were landscaped.
‘Although Glasgow Pétanque Club is a separate club from Willow Bank Bowling Club, becoming a member involves joining Willow Bank too,’ says Shona. ‘So you have the best of both worlds.’ Shona adds that when the bowling season of April to October comes to an end, in pétanque your skills can continue to be honed throughout the winter months.
Vice President of the club Marie Birchard gives me a run-down of just why pétanque really is a great activity for all. ‘It’s immediately accessible,’ says Marie. ‘It’s not daunting but challenging enough to capture your interest.’ Marie explains that a mentoring session from colleague Raymond can give you the basic skills to get onto the field within a short time. From there, it’s all about enjoying yourself… with a healthy measure of good-hearted competition.
An Escape in the Heart of the West End
In the setting of the beautiful Victorian clubhouse, it’s easy to see why one might wish to while away the hours here in the company of others. The surroundings are truly stunning. Mature trees give a welcome shade on a summer’s day, whilst the songbirds serenade the pétanque players. As Marie says, ‘You’re in the heart of a residential area. You would never know you’re just off Byres Road.’
All are welcome, sporty or not; it’s a game where players can participate at their own level. And that goes for competition too. Competition Convener Raymond Scanlan says ‘There are regular competitions within the club, but you can also take it even more seriously and play against other clubs in national competitions. The competitions are a great way of developing skills and meeting new people.’ As well as the opportunity for away games during competition season, life at the club itself is far from quiet. A fantastically fun melee takes place every month. Pétanque sessions run Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. Plus fundraisers, social events and a Bastille Day celebration – Vive La Révolution!
Ready, Aim…
It’s clear to see that Glasgow Pétanque Club is a place of real community. At present the club has around 80 members playing regularly. And the game itself? Treasurer Frances Scanlan gives me some instruction. ‘The boule to target is called the cochonnet. The objective of the game is first to 13,’ says Frances. ‘You can play as singles, doubles or triples against each other. This determines how many boules are in play and the duration of the game. Unlike bowls, the boule is thrown.’ The game comprises playing each end.
The club is a member of the Scottish Pétanque Association, of which there are 40 groups across the Nation. With clubs in Moffat, Ayrshire, Stirling and beyond, it’s a vibrant community of players, enjoying the fresh air, comradery and the skill of the game. The club are keen to encourage younger people. The Scottish branch of Alliance Française visited Glasgow Pétanque Club with some younger players, who absolutely loved the experience.
Membership
In terms of becoming part of the club, the team are delighted to have prospective members try before you sign up to a membership. ‘Come and Try Days’ are available over the summer months. There will also be open days during WestFest. So, there’s really no excuse not to go along. And during the lighter nights of late spring, you might even pop in when the clubhouse bar is open and enjoy a little fizz on the terrace of Willow Bank.
As I leave, I’m heartened by the friendliness, levity and energy at Glasgow Pétanque Club. I feel uplifted – everyone needs a little bit of pétanque in their lives. A little corner of France on our doorstep. La vie most definitely is en rose.
Fancy a visit?
To try either bowls, pétanque or both:
Petanque:
info.glasgow.pc@gmail.com
Bowling:
clubsecretarywbbc@gmail.com
