Bowled over by the fine game of boules
Thomas Brown
thomas.brown@KRNmedia.co.uk
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BOULE SCHOOL: Brown Ale's Thomas Brown, centre, learns the ropes with the Brown Jug petanque team of Keely Dunhill, Michele Cave, Jason Flynn and Sally Rosebourne
F OLLOWING my brush with bat-and-trap last month, this time I take on a pub pastime with a distinctly Gallic flavour.
This week I met regulars from the Brown Jug in Broadstairs for a spot of petanque on a sunny Sunday.
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The French game has spread across the Channel and now dozens of drinkers in Kent play in the East Kent petanque league.
Sally Rosebourne, a member of the Brown Jug team, plays regularly on the piste at the Horse and Groom in Charlotte Court, Ramsgate.
Sally said: "It's a great game because anyone can play.
"There are around 100 players in the league and their ages span from 11 to 90 years old.
"It's very gentle exercise and you get to visit some cracking country pubs, drinking ale along the way."
Sally and the Brown Jug bowlers crossed the Channel last weekend to take on a team of French mayors for a game in Paris.
The Horse and Groom has access to the premier piste in Thanet and Sally has fought to promote the fine art of boules at the Ramsgate pub.
Landlady Jan Hiller took over the Shepherd Neame pub with husband Richard after a stint at the Derby Arms.
"We do everything to support Susan as she has done wonders with the piste," she said.
"It's owned by the council but she's tidied up the whole area and sorted out the surface.
"It's a great game as anyone can play and it's good fun."
Although the Ramsgate tavern is a proper old-fashioned boozer with all the traditional bar games like pool and skittles, Sunday roast is served alongside petanque practice sessions in the courtyard.
Call 01843 587687 to book Sunday lunch at the Horse and Groom. If you want to have a go for yourself, open training sessions are held on the piste at The Horse and Groom at 1pm every Sunday and at 6pm on Mondays.
What's your favourite pub game? Let me know and I'll come along and try it out. E-mail thomas.brown@KRNmedia.co.uk or call 01843 578154.
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