For the 10th year in a row now Bridgwater has held a Petanque tournament between the members of (and any visitors from) their 6 twin towns. This year it was the team representing Marsa (Malta) that won. The tournament was held at Victoria Park where Bridgwater Town Council have created a new Petanque terrain open to anyone to use. Held on Friday 5th June the contest also featured  teams representing Bridgwater UK and Bridgewater (USA).

The final table

1st Marsa (Malta)

2nd Bridgwater UK

3rd=  Uherske Hradiste (Czech)

3rd = La Ciotat (France)

5th Camacha (Portugal)

6th Bridgewater MA (USA)

7th Priverno (Italy)

8th Homberg (Germany)

Petanque as a sport originated in Bridgwater’s French twin town La Ciotat. The tournament was organised by Bridgwater resident Michael Wheatley.

Czech guests

The Czech Team included the Mayor of Uherske Hradiste Stanislav Blaha, Deputy Mayor Jana Grygarova, Chief Executive Ivan matulik and transport expert Jan Kolarik. During their stay they also visited Hinkley Point, toured the Sedgemoor area and engaged in discussions with councillors on the Unitary Changes, Transport Policy and the Celebration Mile. The group was joined by founder of the Bridgwater-Czech link Antonin Machala , a succesful Czech businessman and his son Marek, a pilot, who flew the group over.

There was also a special prize for the best dressed team and while the Italians turned up dressed as cooks and waiters, at least one German arrived in Bavarian lederhosen, the prize went to the French team for their selection of beret and garlic themed attire.

The raffle (a hamper of Provencale produce) was won by the leader of Council (but probably because he bought 60 tickets.)

It didn’t rain.

Twinning Gala

On the evening of June 6th a Twinning Gala was held at the arts centre where all the twinning groups presented what they’d done during the year and what their plans were for the next year. Choirs had visited La Ciotat and Uherske Hradiste, Italian students had visited Bridgwater to do work experience while later this year there are plans to visit La Ciotat, Priverno and Uherske Hradiste while the German Twinners have been invited to Homberg for 2027.

Also at the arts centre was live music from the French-Gipsy jazz band Bellevilloise.