A lasting cross-Channel friendship was celebrated in Worksop during May as local players hosted their French counterparts for a historic pétanque tournament with roots stretching back more than 40 years.
The long-standing cultural exchange began with the late Roger Wood. After returning to the UK from his work with the War Graves Commission in France, Roger brought back a passion for the traditional French game of pétanque. Alongside his wife, Beryl, he established a reciprocal tournament in 1985 between Worksop and Isigny-sur-Mer, a village in Normandy. What began as a personal passion project has grown into a thriving community club and an enduring international friendship.
The visiting French delegation was hosted by Arena Pétanque Club. While the club was originally based at the Bluebell Inn in Lound, near Retford, it now plays from its dedicated venue at North Notts Arena in Worksop. Following a day of closely contested matches on the pistes, the French visitors enjoyed a programme of local entertainment. This included an evening of greyhound racing at Sheffield Owlerton Stadium, followed by a celebratory dinner and party marking decades of friendship between the two clubs.
On Sunday morning, the French contingent began their journey home to Normandy.
The international connection continues to thrive, with plans already in place for the Nottinghamshire players to make the return journey. An Arena Pétanque Club team is scheduled to visit Normandy in June 2027 for the next chapter of this 42-year sporting tradition.