The petition
The Hereford Open Boules Competition has been held annually at the Hereford Leisure Centre since 1999. Each year this competition attracts 64 teams for a day-long competition, and since 2005 there has also been a pairs competition held on the eve of the main event, which is also growing in popularity with more than 30 teams taking part. Many of the competitors travel from outside the Marches area and stay overnight in Hereford on the Saturday night between the two competitions, and enjoy the hospitality of local businesses.
The organisers of the event, Marches Pétanque, have received little or no support from Herefordshire Council beyond the use of the overflow Car Park area at the Hereford Leisure Centre, and have been advised that this facility will not be available in future. Prior to the 2007 event drainage work has been undertaken on the Car Park and as a result much of the playing area used in previous years has been placed "off limits". The quality of the surface of the remaining playing area has been severely damaged, to the dismay of many of the competitors who have previously praised the high standard of the "pistes" as one of the strengths of the Hereford Open.
We the undersigned call upon Herefordshire Council to use their influence and ensure that the Hereford Open can continue to be held at the Hereford Leisure Centre in future years. Furthermore we ask that the Council offers more tangible support to Marches Pétanque to provide the quality venue that this event deserves.
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