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Ongar Pétanque has been announced as the latest recipient of funding from Qualis’ community benefit fund, which is delivered in partnership with Epping Forest District Council.
The club has received £4,000 which will be used to increase the number of playing terrains from 4 to 8, hard landscape around the playing perimeters and construct a wet weather shelter.
Pétanque, also called French Boules
Pétanque, or French Boules, is a sport for all ages and abilities and is growing in popularity. The Ongar Pétanque club now boasts 30 club members who play regularly, both competitively and for the health and wellbeing benefits it provides.
Members regularly compete against other pétanque clubs and representatives from Qualis’ community benefit fund panel were pleased to accept an invitation to attend the recent over 70s vintage pairs competition. 12 teams took part in the competition, with Jill Murphy and Marion Pretty of the Young at Heart team from Epping Horizons announced as the gold winners.
Qualis Property Solutions Managing Director Ben Johnson, Coucillor Nigel Bedford and Chairman of the Tenants and Leaseholders Panel Wyn Marshall presented Carolyn Innocent with a cheque on the day and were given an overview of the work that had already taken place and that was still to be done.
Delighted to give financial support
Qualis Property Solutions Managing Director Ben Johnson said:
Carolyn, her family and the wider club are doing an amazing job in giving as many people as possible the chance to take part in pétanque.
They have done an awful lot of work themselves and we are delighted to be able to give them some financial support so that they can deliver the full vision they’ve set themselves.
For our community to enjoy
Carolyn Innocent from Ongar Pétanque said:
Our aim this year has been to develop and expand this facility for our whole community to enjoy. The new terrains allow for more players, for us to host competitions, and run junior sessions, but most importantly the beauty of the improved setting is now attracting more visitors to our town, and our local residents, to just stop, sit and relax, perhaps bring a picnic lunch, their children using the adjacent play area, or try the sport themselves for regular exercise in the shade of the trees, and meet new friends.
The extra community benefit funding received from Qualis, will enable our members to continue and complete this project, adding extra seating, picnic tables, a rain shelter, shrubs, a lawn, and some security aspects to enhance and maintain the area for the pleasure of everyone coming to Ongar.
Community benefit fund
Qualis’ community partnerships and small grants are made possible thanks to the cost efficiencies that Qualis Property Solutions has achieved in the delivery of its core services. The savings are reinvested back into the community to benefit the whole community.
Funding applications are assessed by a panel of representatives from Qualis, the council, housing tenants and councillors throughout the year.
Join Ongar Pétanque
If you interested in joining Ongar Pétanque please contact Carolyn Innocent:
Or come along to one of the club sessions:
- Sunday mornings from 10.30am to 1.30pm
- Wednesday afternoons from 1pm to 3pm
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