I played pétanque for the first time at this ‘really friendly’ Heckmondwike club - and it was magnifique!

Heckmondwike Pétanque Club has been welcoming players to its Firth Park arena since 2012.

The game, a form of boules which was codified in France in the early 1900s, sees participants aim to score more points than their opponents by throwing their balls closer to a smaller target ball.

The great all-weather facilities at Firth Park - which has four courts, known as terrains, with four lanes on each one - enables action throughout the entire year, and has even held competitions where people have attended from all over the north of England.

Last Wednesday afternoon (July 15) saw the vast majority of the club’s 70-odd members gather in the sunshine for a specially-themed contest to celebrate Bastille Day - and the Reporter Series was invited to join in too.

Committee member Lynne Murray, who joined the club two years ago, said: “We meet twice a week as well as running several of these special events throughout the year.

“We have a lot of older, single people, so it is nice that we can all come together and chat to other people.

“It is very social. People who are on their own will come and say how welcome they have been made to feel. If someone just turns up to watch we will invite them to have a go and they will turn up the next week.

“It is a really friendly club and there is a sense of community here.”

The game can be played in pairs or in threes, with the winners crowned at 13 points, meaning there is plenty of exercise to be had walking between ends.

“Games can sometimes take 45 minutes to an hour, and it keeps everybody active,” Lynne revealed. “Sometimes the better players will knock your ball out of the way, which can be quite annoying!”

“Players get drawn out of a bag meaning you are never sticking to the same people and then when you play against a better player it will bring you on more as they will explain things to you.”

Jean Darbyshire has been a member of the club since it was formed having got “hooked” on pétanque when she played it on holiday abroad.

“I live on my own so it is nice to get out,” she said. “I have met quite a lot of new friends, and it is nice when you know everybody.

“The game requires skills and it’s about tactics.”

Those skills were put to the test when I engaged in a match-up with our photographer, John Clifton, who clinched a narrow victory.

Michael Ellis, 75, travels from Wakefield along with his wife Denise, 74, to play in Heckmondwike.

“The facilities are first class,” he admired. “It is our nearest club and we just love the game. It keeps you moving and it keeps you active, and it is great when there is weather like this!”

There is hope the club can now attract some younger blood.

“It is important for us to get some new members,” Lynne said. “We need the youngsters in. We have been going to schools, scouts and air cadets groups trying to get them down here to play.

“Joining a pétanque club is not just about the game - it’s about enhancing your social life, boosting mental health, and enjoying a fulfilling, active lifestyle.”

Heckmondwike Pétanque Club, based at Firth Park, off Westgate, meets on Wednesdays from 1pm and on Saturdays from 10.30am, with people interested encouraged to visit.

Take a look at our photo gallery from the club’s special Bastille Day event last Wednesday.