It Is well known as a central part of French village life.
But for a weekend every summer it is also an essential part ofBath culture.
The Bath Boules Tournament began 17 years ago and this year, as inprevious years, hundreds of people took part in the competition.
Organiser Simon Harrison, from Portico Designs, said between 300and 350 people turned up for Saturday's event.
He said: "Because of the weather forecast being for rain, peoplewith little faith didn't come. However, we've all had a good time."
Each day of the contest sees a series of heats, with the winnersgoing forward from the initial round to the quarters, the semis andthen the final.
Mr Harrison said: "We have 64 teams of three people. Quite a fewteams have four or five people in them, but only three play at thesame time."
The winners of Saturday's tournament were Nutricia, which beatBath Rugby Club in the finals.
The tournament was started by Jean-Pierre Auge, of Le Beaujolais,and Philip Addis, from Great Western Wine, 17 years ago.
Mr Harrison said: "Because of the fire at Beaujolais last year,JP didn't have time to organise it.
"My company took over running it and we've committed to running itfor three years. We'll certainly make sure it continues after that.
"To me it's the premier social event in Bath each year, and wealways raise at least pounds15,000 for charity."
Local firms and organisations featured this year included Eduserv,The Bath Auction Rooms, Bath Rugby, Cobb Farr, the Building of BathMuseum and The Bath Chronicle.
Last year's tournament raised more than pounds15,000. Earlier thisyear, pounds4,000 was donated to the Research Institute for the Careof the Elderly (RICE), another pounds4,000 to the Royal UnitedHospital's Neo-Natal Intensive Care Unit, and another to theChildren's Hospice South West.
A further pounds1,500 was donated to Wellow RDA, which offersriding to the disabled, and Dorothy House Hospice receivedpounds2,500.
The sponsors of this year's event included Thring Townsend, GreatWestern Wine, Bath Bakery, Bartlett & Sons, the Word, JuiceRecruitment, BLB Solicitors and Bath FM.
n.stone@bathchron.co.uk
No comments:
Post a Comment