We are pleased to announce that the Petanque England Inter-Regional Championships and Challenge will go ahead as planned on September 4-5th at Melton Mowbray. Southern has confirmed our intention to enter a full compliment of 8 Championship Teams, 4 Challenge Teams and a Junior team.
Entries are still coming in for the Regional Qualifiers, so there is still time to enter your team!
The venue
PE will set up temporary terrains at the Melton Mowbray Cattle Market, which is very close to the Town Centre. There will be two areas of terrains: the main open area will have 80 pistes and a second area that is covered with roofing will have 32 pistes. DC Petanque will be in the covered area selling boules etc and they have also agreed to be one of PE’s sponsors this year.
Catering will be on-site with hog roasts, burgers, hot dogs and various other stalls. There is an onsite Micro Brewery and a bar that we hope will be open both days til 11pm. There are two fish bars 2 mins walk and we are only a few minutes from the main Town Centre with many other eating spots and pubs. Players can bring their own food and soft drinks on site as well if they wish, but no alcohol.
There is a large Banquet Hall that will be used on the Sunday for presentations, and PE plan to also have this available up to 11pm on both days for players to be able to use to socialise in. There is also a plan for some entertainment here on Saturday night (details TBA!). The main hall has seating for around 400, and 800 standing and there is any adjoining room that will provide additional space.
Accommodation
The Melton Mowbray venue is not residential, so we need to arrange our own accommodation. SCPA committee has already block-booked 30 twin/double rooms at The Quorn Grange Hotel www.quorngrangehotel.co.uk for Friday and Saturday nights at a reduced rate of £100 per person including breakfast for the 2 nights, based on 2 sharing. Sunday night can be added by those who need it. They are happy to do an early breakfast specially for our group if required, from 6:30am. All rooms can be cancelled free of charge two weeks prior to arrival. Many thanks to our Treasurer Mark Duncan for his hard work in securing this accommodation so quickly.
There are other local hotels, B&Bs and AirBnBs in Melton Mowbray and also within one hour’s drive at Grantham, Leicester and towards Nottingham, so it is up to individuals whether they wish to stay at Quorn Grange or make their own arrangements. There is also a touring caravan, lodge and glamping site nearby called Eye Kettleby Lakes. PE have agreed that the competition will start a little later in the morning than in previous years, to allow more time to travel (details TBA).
The costs of running the event are significant and although PE will to cover the bulk from their own funds there will be a charge per team of £40. In our case this charge will be fully met by SCPA, covered by regional qualifier entry fees.
More details of timing, playing format etc will follow when PE plans are finalised.
We look forward to a great competition at this exciting new venue!
SCPA Executive Committee
