Betty Wright founder member of the club leaves Port Bannatyne for Beauly

Betty Wright

In August 2011 Betty left Port Bannatyne for Beauly in Inverness-shire.  Betty’s friends, the members of Port Bannatyne Petanque Club, see this as a wonderful opportunity to recall the projects and show appreciation for the successes Betty accomplished during 10 happy years in the Port.

PETANQUE PISTE

In 2005 Betty and her close friend Elaine Jukes asked the Council if they could have a small part of the public park to build a Petanque Piste in Port Bannatyne - they agreed.  It was established that the cost of the build would be £12,500.  Betty, a tenant of Fyne Homes, asked if they would be prepared to help with the cost and/or the build – they agreed.  The “Dynamic Duo” engaged in some research on the Scottish Petanque Website for information about how to build, how to play, rules, regulations and insurance and a group was asked to form a committee to run the club – they agreed.  

In February 2008 the Piste was ready, boules, rings, measures and magnets were purchased and the first match was played.

GOOD NATURED GARDEN 

Betty’s impact on The Port was not restricted to increasing opportunities for sporting activities.  Elaine and Betty also have a keen interest in gardening and the development of the Good Natured Garden included the children of the area planting bulbs and many others donating goods and time. A derelict piece of land was turned into a flower filled garden which encourages wildlife.

 MEMORIAL GARDEN

In the next project Betty and Elaine combined their love of gardening with an interest in the history of the area, instigated by a visit to a small display at St Ninian’s Church about the x-craft submarines which were based in Port Bannatyne and active during World War II.  After considerable research and making many personal and emotional contacts with the families and crews of the x-craft, Betty and Elaine developed the Memorial Garden.  Again, many local people agreed to help (it seems it was hard to say no) the ground work done, with the garden completed in a year.  The opening of the Memorial Garden is one of their proudest moments as was the presentation, to Betty and Elaine, of the Naval - Submariners insignia lapel badge of the double dolphins in the form of a beautiful gold brooch.

The actor Alan Alda said “The best things said come last”. 

Betty – your friends at the Port Bannatyne Petanque  Club will continue to play for the Memorial Garden Cup each year.  We say heartfelt thanks and wish you well knowing that our loss is Beauly’s gain.

Fairlie Yacht Club - Crew Passage Race and Muster - Petanque Port Bannatyne

On Saturday 2 July, Fairlie Yacht Club raced "Round the Cans in the Clyde" and, for the first time, held a "Muster" at Port Bannatyne Marina. 
In the evening, Petanque club members Jim and Elaine set up the piste while the Rear Commodore, Paul Rae and his family erected the gazebo and set up drinks and nibbles.   The Fairlie sailors came ashore exchanging boats for boules and after Elaine gave a quick resume of the game, the competition began in earnest.  Teams of players had already signed up and "Beer Commodore" Paul, ran a keenly contested, fun-filled knock-out petanque competition.
The Port Bannatyne Petanque Club hope that Fairlie Yacht Club will muster again in the Port - a very sociable patnership - perhaps and annual event!
Elaine

15 May | 2:43:39

CLUB COMPETITION  2ND LAST SUNDAY OF EACH MONTH THROUGH TO SEPTEMBER.

WATCH OUT FOR A COMPETITION BETWEEN WATER BOARD WORKERS AND WORKERS FROM GEORGE LESLIE LTD.

Are they game? or Chicken?




Jane Donald. Correspondent.

14 May | 10:04:53

Watch this page for 2011 updates information.

Last Sunday, 06-05-2011, we entertained the members of the Royal Scottish Motor Yacht Club..There was approx. 32 yachts carryig about 50 adults + children.

While the adults played Petanque the children played floor games.

 The weather was very changeable but our guests went home happy , having learned the game and vowing  to use their newly found skills.

Jean Donald. Correspondent. 

2 October | 10:09:45

Congratulations to James, Heather and Jenna for being the overall winners in our club's open competition.

May I also congratulate Branwen Common for being the club's individual champion.

Runners up in the open were the Thom family.








Jean Donald. Correspondent.

Top Technique Tips for Troon Tripsters

Six Port Bannatyne Petanque Club members received top class coaching on Saturday from national coach Colin Montgomery and his wife, national umpire Mags.
Colin gradually constructed and corrected basic pendulum throwing skills as the Port Bannatyne players shadowed highly skilled performances. Innovative drills and practices for pointing and shooting helped to groove and improve techniques and the coaching also led to greater understanding of both the biomechanics and the tactics involved in the game at different levels. 
Port Bannatyne members received a warm and friendly welcome from Brian and Therese Ward of Troon Petanque Club who hosted the coaching day. The venue was moved from the Troon Piste, to a more sheltered indoor facility at Langholm Farm Shop near Symington, due to the blustery weather conditions.
This coaching day continues a vibrant start to the season for players in the Port club. Recently the Port Bannatyne Club hosted an afternoon of Petanque( RSMYC) Royal Scottish Motor Yacht bringing over 32 boats into the Port Bannatyne Marina. During June a group of yachtsmen from Inverkip Marina plan to revisit and play on the temporary piste at the boat yard.
Port Banatyne is a busy active Port.

Elaine