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 four to eight, hard landscape around the playing perimeters and construct a wet weather shelter.
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 our Community Benefit Fund panel were pleased to accept an invitation to attend last weekend’s Over 70s Vintage Pairs competition. Twelve 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, Cllr Nigel Bedford and Chairman of the Tenants and Leaseholders Panel Wyn Marshall presented Carolyn Innocent with a cheque and were given an overview of the work that had already taken place and that still to be done.
“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,” said Qualis Property Solutions Managing Director Ben Johnson.
“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.”
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.”
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. Applications for funding are assessed by a panel of representatives from Qualis, the Council, housing tenants and Councillors throughout the year.
To find out more and apply, visit Community Benefit Fund – Qualis (qualisgroup.com)
If you interested in joining Ongar Pétanque, please contact Carolyn Innocent at ongartownfestival@gmail.com or come along to one of the Club sessions on Sunday mornings at 10.30 am to 1.30 pm -1.30 or Wednesday afternoons at 1.00 pm – 3.00 p.m.
