The New Milton Petanque Club wants to set up a new pitch on Milford seafront, aiming to enhance local recreation and community spirit.
Jonathan Ruddle, the club chair, brought this up at a recent Milford Parish Council meeting. He’s really passionate about it! The plan is to create a 14m by 6m playing area on a grassy spot between the Needles Eye Café and a car park.
Mr. Ruddle believes this spot is just perfect for a small petanque terrain. He thinks it would not only make the area more appealing but also be a great resource for locals and visitors.
There’s even talk of adding a semi-formal garden area to make it more inviting. The idea is to let people just show up and play whenever they want.
He described petanque as a sport that’s super easy for older folks to enjoy. It’s all about getting outside and having fun, which is great for everyone’s wellbeing.
Plus, he pointed out that unlike lawn bowls, petanque doesn’t need a perfectly flat surface. It’s also low maintenance, which is a big plus!
However, not everyone is on board. Cllr Sue Whitlock mentioned that this area was previously seen as a spot for family-friendly facilities. She feels it should cater to kids.
Some folks suggested looking at other seafront spots, maybe near the existing bowls club, for a better fit for the petanque pitch. It’s all still up in the air, but it’s exciting to see the community getting involved!
