On 26th September 2024, Councillor Liz Townsend kindly officiated at the opening ceremony of the second terrain at Cranleigh Pétanque Club, based at the centrally-located Cranleigh Village Sports and Social Club (CVSSC) in Parsonage Road. Our Chairman Andrew Kolmar, welcomed Cllr Townsend, representatives from CVSSC, Cranleigh Lions and Southern Counties Pétanque Association, as well as Pétanque members. Cllr Townsend then cut a symbolic ribbon. Good spirits were only slightly dampened by an untimely downpour!
This event marked the culmination of ten years of saving to finance the new project. Despite this and generous donations from Cranleigh Lions, Cranleigh Rotary Club and CVSSC, it was still necessary for members of our club to not only undertake the planning, but also a lot of the construction themselves.
This new terrain now gives us a further eight pistes, which allows us to accommodate our increasing membership and also to host larger Regional competitions.
We have come a long way from the humble beginnings in 2009 when Jeff Fox, our founder, first approached Barry Baker, the Chairman of the then, Cranleigh Royal British Legion Club to form a Pétanque Club in their grounds. He agreed, as it enhanced their chances of becoming a Sports and Social Club. And so, the Pétanque Club was born, with seven members.
The construction of the terrain was started in July 2009, without major funding, but with generous support from Jeff himself and some of the founder members. There was only enough money to finish half of the terrain but later another four pistes were completed.
The Official Opening took place on 31st August 2009 with a Competition, attended by players representing clubs throughout the Southern Counties Region.
Our membership has grown steadily to 70 members, as local people realise the benefits of year-long outdoor physical activity and social interaction for all ages and physical abilities. We meet throughout the year on Thursday afternoons and Saturday mornings. In addition, we hold five club competitions and several seasonal Mêlées, as well as taking part in regional leagues and competitions.
Instruction is offered by our qualified coaches on Monday evenings during the spring/summer and Saturday mornings in autumn/winter. Anyone is welcome to come and try Pétanque, free of charge. We have equipment for you to borrow and welcome novices. You will find that we are a very friendly club.
www.cranleighclub.com/petanque
