Celebrating 50 years of Petanque
1976-2026
A Brief History of Wenvoe Pétanque Club
2026 is the 50th anniversary of the formal formation of the Club de Pétanque de Pays de Galles co-founded by Chairman, the ubiquitous jazzman, Mike Harries and the President Claude Faurie as well as the late Sid Richards as Treasurer.
The club was originally the biggest individual sporting club in Wenvoe and at that time the one and only Pétanque club in Wales, and founded one year before the formation of the governing body; The British Pétanque Association.
Thanks to prominent club members such as the Bosley family, the Triggs, the late Bruce Gully, Griff Taylor, Paul Harvey, Stephen Davies, Bill Cook and many others.
The club constituted in 1976 was made of up of purpose built professional pitches at the Playing Fields. This was to be the start of fame and success for this Village club with various Press, Television and radio interviews.
However, it all started with a game organised by Mike Harries and his brother in 1973, taking on 'The Rest of the World', this was followed by a colourful competition against the French Rugby supporters on a very cold Sunday in February, the match being played in the car park of the Village Hall which was not yet tarmaced.
Shortly after its formal constitution, the Club founded the Wenvoe Welsh Open Triples competition. With a few exceptions due to inclement weather, and COVID restrictions, the Club has continued to host this ever-popular event on the Sunday of the August Bank Holiday weekend ever since, with 2026 marking the 45th running of it.
June 1980 was a memorable year for the Wenvoe players with the Seventh National UK Open Championships being played on our pitches and featuring 250 players. The team featuring Chris Trigg, Griff Taylor and Claude Faurie again reached the Semi-Finals only to be defeated by a French team of semi-professionals.
In 1981 the club went to the first Pétanque open tournament of the Isle of Wight, performing well by reaching the Semi-Finals
In the mid-2000s, the Club built 4 permanent pistes in the car park of the Wenvoe Arms pub, playing all its league matches there, as well as hosting a number of National competitions, culminating in its hosting the 2010 Celtic Challenge, with Wales taking on teams from Ireland & Scotland.
Down the years, members of the Club have successfully represented Wales in competitions all over the UK, and in Europe.
When the Club was asked to give up its pistes at the Wenvoe Arms during the COVID outbreak in 2020, it was fortunate enough to be invited to continue playing in the next village of Dinas Powys, at the Athletic Club, playing alongside Dinas Powys Rugby and Cricket Clubs.
And so on to the present day where the Wenvoe Pétanque Club is still going strong with members involved in the Welsh League competition and raising Charity money each year for sound causes.
The club was originally the biggest individual sporting club in Wenvoe and at that time the one and only Pétanque club in Wales, and founded one year before the formation of the governing body; The British Pétanque Association.
Thanks to prominent club members such as the Bosley family, the Triggs, the late Bruce Gully, Griff Taylor, Paul Harvey, Stephen Davies, Bill Cook and many others.
The club constituted in 1976 was made of up of purpose built professional pitches at the Playing Fields. This was to be the start of fame and success for this Village club with various Press, Television and radio interviews.
However, it all started with a game organised by Mike Harries and his brother in 1973, taking on 'The Rest of the World', this was followed by a colourful competition against the French Rugby supporters on a very cold Sunday in February, the match being played in the car park of the Village Hall which was not yet tarmaced.
Shortly after its formal constitution, the Club founded the Wenvoe Welsh Open Triples competition. With a few exceptions due to inclement weather, and COVID restrictions, the Club has continued to host this ever-popular event on the Sunday of the August Bank Holiday weekend ever since, with 2026 marking the 45th running of it.
June 1980 was a memorable year for the Wenvoe players with the Seventh National UK Open Championships being played on our pitches and featuring 250 players. The team featuring Chris Trigg, Griff Taylor and Claude Faurie again reached the Semi-Finals only to be defeated by a French team of semi-professionals.
In 1981 the club went to the first Pétanque open tournament of the Isle of Wight, performing well by reaching the Semi-Finals
In the mid-2000s, the Club built 4 permanent pistes in the car park of the Wenvoe Arms pub, playing all its league matches there, as well as hosting a number of National competitions, culminating in its hosting the 2010 Celtic Challenge, with Wales taking on teams from Ireland & Scotland.
Down the years, members of the Club have successfully represented Wales in competitions all over the UK, and in Europe.
When the Club was asked to give up its pistes at the Wenvoe Arms during the COVID outbreak in 2020, it was fortunate enough to be invited to continue playing in the next village of Dinas Powys, at the Athletic Club, playing alongside Dinas Powys Rugby and Cricket Clubs.
And so on to the present day where the Wenvoe Pétanque Club is still going strong with members involved in the Welsh League competition and raising Charity money each year for sound causes.
© Wenvoe Pétanque Club 1976-2026
