The Killyfole Development Association broke new ground by running a most enjoyable event last Saturday. It opened its new bouladrome or terrain for playing the game of petanque or French boules. The launch was postponed from last August due to the bad weather but luckily on Saturday afternoon Killyfole was bathed in sunshine.
The game of petanque/boules involves throwing a steel ball to get nearest a much smaller wooden ball called a cochonet or jack, and was probably invented by bored French soldiers throwing cannon balls at targets in former times.
The Killyfole group obtained Big Lottery funding through Sport Relief to establish a playing area and had undertaken a lot of work to provide a suitable playing surface for the launch. They had also obtained sets of boules to let the local community members try out the game.
Petanque/boules players from Belfast and Co Down had travelled to Killyfole and were invited to demonstrate the most important points of play to new players. They then joined with them in a series of games explaining the techniques of throwing the boule and scoring the game. The Killyfole players were quick to grasp the details and both young and old were soon playing with great enthusiasm and considerable skill. The visitors were very impressed both by the standard of play, and with the beautiful setting by the lake.
Commenting on the launch Jim Beattie, chairman of the Killyfole Association said “We are delighted to see such an interest in the game. We hope many more people will be visiting Killyfole to take up this healthy outdoor pastime.”
All the local players thoroughly enjoyed their introduction to the game and expressed their intention to continue playing regularly. The event concluded with refreshments and everyone agreed that it had been a very worthwhile and enjoyable afternoon. | 
