Joy as plans for Pétanque rink in Burgess Hill approved

An application for a rink and two benches in the Fairfield Recreation Ground was submitted by the town council and approved during a planning committee meeting last Thursday (January 21).

Pétanque is a game similar to boules, where a player stands in a small circle and tries to throw metal balls as close to a wooden jack as possible.

The Pétanque court and two benches would be installed north of the existing multi-use games area and near the community centre and car park. It would be 22m by 18m and seven inches deep and dressed with fine grit and surrounded by concrete kerb stones/sleepers.

A French drain would be dug around the perimeter and filled with shingle.

The idea came from Ray Smith, chairman of Burgess Hill Bowls Club and also a U3A member, who enlisted the help of Samantha Smith, Mid Sussex district councillor for Dunstall Ward. This week Samantha said: “I really am overjoyed to bring this to the community.

“Steve Cridland really was a huge part of this and also Ray. Funding has been granted from Sports England and Section 106 money. I cannot wait to have a go on the new terrain.”

Ray added: “I am delighted that plans for the Pétanque were agreed at planning for the site at Fairfield Recreation Ground near the caged football area.

“On Friday, I met with the contractor to run through the final layout and spec.

“There will be four rinks. We are hopeful that this venture will be up and running by the spring.

“Any clubs or family and friends will be able to book up a time and date in due course. Details will be forthcoming when we know the court is ready for use along with government guidelines.”

On Monday (January 25), Burgess Hill mayor Roger Cartwright thanked the town council’s chief executive officer Steve Cridland for getting all the paperwork through.

Mr Cridland told town councillors he had met with the contractor on Friday and the site has already been measured out. He said he hoped the new court would be completed by April at the latest.