A PEEBLESSHIRE club is looking forward to resuming its activities after moving homes last year.

Tweed Valley Pétanque Club spent 15 years based at Kailzie Gardens where it built up a membership of more than 50 – making it one of the largest in Scotland.

But last year members made the decision to move to a new location.

A spokesperson for the club said: “Last year (2021), after 15 years of playing in the beautiful surroundings of Kailzie Gardens, the club took the difficult decision that, given the club’s composition and ambitions, a move would be for the best.

“We were delighted to gain permission from Peebles Hydro Hotel to develop their old tennis courts which were unused and had a thick coating of moss to provide, in the first instance, six pistes for the club with additional provision for hotel guests would be constructed – all within the lovely setting of the hotel grounds.”

Work to prepare the former tennis courts for pétanque included removing all of the moss, laying down a gravel base and marking out the pistes.

Tommy Quinn, the chairman of the club, said he hopes that the club will officially return to playing on March 27, however, this date could be pushed back to April 3.

The spokesperson added: “The club prides itself on providing a friendly environment in which people of all ages and abilities can play the game of Pétanque (otherwise known as French boules).

“Members include a couple of wheel-chair users as well as several in their ninth decade.

“The game lends itself to being played at any level of competitiveness and ability.

“In 2018, in competition with all sports clubs in the region, the club was voted “Club of the Year” by Live Borders and Club Sport Tweeddale – a great honour in recognition of the club’s contribution to the community.

“The club is grateful to its many sponsors.

“Particular thanks are also due to Lady Angela Buchan-Hepburn, the previous owner of Kailzie Gardens and a consistent supporter and friend of the club.”

Other organisations which sponsor the club include Peebles Hydro Hotel, Irvine Plant Ltd., Tillicoultry Quarries Ltd., Robertson Timber, S & P Solar Ltd., and Hume Wood Gardens.