Tickton lands new boules court

Tickton's boules court opens on Sunday

People are being invited to take up boules, with a new court opening in an East Yorkshire village.

An event will be held on Sunday to mark the opening of Coronation Pétanque Terrain in Tickton, near Beverley.

Organisers said there would be demonstrations and opportunities to give boules - also know as pétanque - a try.

Howard Sinkler, from Tickton and Routh Parish Council, said residents were "very excited" about the court.

The new site, which is located behind the village hall, has been paid for using a number of community funds.

Mr Sinkler said: "We are committed to providing additional facilities for our community. After consulting with our residents, we saw the need to build this fantastic new facility and are looking forward to hosting an event to show the community what we have and give them a chance to have a go.

"Local groups and residents are very excited to have this facility in Tickton, after seeing the success in other areas, and know this will benefit everyone in the community."

Mr Sinkler said the court would complement the existing outdoor exercise area and younger children's play area.

Pétanque: The game for all

Originating in France, the game of pétanque - pronounced "pay-tank" - is sometimes called boules.

It is now played globally and is one of the most inclusive activities available where people of all ages, gender, ability and fitness can play equally together.

Played with hand-sized, hollow metal boules on various types of dirt or gravel surfaces (terrains), the aim is to get as many of your team's boules closer to a small wooden ball (jack) than that of your opponents.

Classically, the sport is a team game of Triples (three players with two boules each) or Doubles (two players with three boules each) though pétanque can also be played as Singles (one player with three boules).

The objective is to be the first player or team to score 13 points.