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Camden News - by SIMON WROE
Published: 21 August 2008

Jean - Christophe Nowers

Vive la différence! French sporting revival a Heath hit

IN France it’s a holiday obsession: a sport played with passion, bent knees, and the occasional Gallic outburst by a third of the population every summer.
In England the game of pétanque, where metal balls are thrown at a wooden “cochonnet” or jack, is less well- known – but judging by the flying balls and jaunty berets on Hampstead Heath last weekend that may all be about to change.
Players of all ages got a taste of life on the Continent when they paired up on a special pitch opposite the Parliament Hill tennis court on Saturday.
The sport was invented more than a 100 years ago by a Frenchman named Jules Lenoir, who was unable to play lawn bowls or “boules” with a run up because of his rheumatism, opting instead for a stationary throw.
The game is played across France and taken so seriously by some that it has even lead to violence – “le bouliganisme”.
Happily though, the mood among the 40 players on the Heath remained convivial throughout.
It is the first year that pétanque has been allocated its own pitch on the Heath.
The equally laid-back – and very British – sport of croquet also received its very own spot in the park grounds this summer.
Pétanque games will run on weekends and select week nights throughout the summer, organised by Gospel Oak resident Bruce Rowland.
Mr Rowland also has plans to set up a local league dedicated to the sport.

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