Chester & District Bagatelle League

I recently had a really fascinating conversation with a gentleman by the name of John Pritchard. As men do while talking at the bar, we sorted the world out on a variety of general topics of conversation. Nothing too heavy, no Brexit, no Donald Trump, no religion. Mainly general topics about Chester really. It wasn’t too long before we touched on a subject that is very close to John’s heart. So, who is John Pritchard? To those of you who don’t know, John Pritchard is the Chairman and Secretary of the Chester & District Bagatelle League – see the link to their website HERE.

Chester & District Bagatelle League

Chester & Bagatelle League

If you are not sure what bagatelle is, or the history of bagatelle, then click the link to this page on John’s website – CLICK HERE. As John says on his website, bagatelle is a “game you can learn in 5 minutes and a lifetime to master”

I’ve “had a dabble myself”, but only very rarely and really only when I’ve been in a pub and it’s been quiet. I’ve not actually gone out for a game of bagatelle, so understandably, I’m not an expert (or any good for that matter). As John website’s shows, there are only 14 pubs or bars in Chester that have a bagatelle table.

Namely, Olde Cottage; St Werburghs Catholic Club; St Theresa’s; Bawn Lodge; Spital Vaults; Union Vaults; Cross Foxes; Saltney Ferry; Royal Oak (Hoole); Waggon & Horses (Blacon); Egerton Arms; The Talbot; Dee Miller and United Services Club.

As John points out, there were so many more. You will recall that I said that my conversation with John was fascinating. Is all the above fascinating you may ask? Well, yes when you consider the importance of John’s Chester & District Bagatelle League. The League is not the only one there is in Chester, or the North-West for that matter. Or even the country. Europe maybe? No, I am reliably informed that the Chester & District Bagatelle League is the only Bagatelle League in the world. Yes, the world!! What a feather in Chester’s cap!!

Bagatelle World Champions

If the USA can claim “World Champion” status for the victors for some of their sports, then why not the Chester & District Bagatelle League? One of the pubs where bagatelle is played in Chester is the Olde Cottage. The Cottage is directly opposite A1 Designs, a t-shirt printer in Brook Street. Think of it. Imagine if the League title clincher was to be played at The Olde Cottage. A1 Designs could have special “Bagatelle World Champions” t-shirts printed in a flash!!

Imagine wearing one of those t-shirts. You would obviously wear it with pride if it was your local pub that won the title (whether you played or not). Not only that. The intrigue it would generate when other people saw you wearing it!! Who could resist asking the wearer whether such a bold and proud statement was true?

In all seriousness, I could tell how proud John was of the Chester & District Bagatelle League and it’s unique status. Wouldn’t it be great to see an upsurge in interest and more teams look to become involved. To give it a true international flavour then any ‘would be’ new entrants into the League could take a razzamatazz name like they do in Rugby League and American sports. If I was any good and I had a team, perhaps I could call them “Franco Bagliatello’s All Stars”……watch this space!!!

I am informed that there is a lot of skill involved in bagatelle. Also, like football in a way, there is a bit of home bias involved as well. In football it is recognised that generally the home team are at an advantage. Same with bagatelle. Did you know for instance, some tables are predominantly with a left bias, while others right (or no particular bias at all). Clearly, you would expect a team to have that as an advantage during their home fixture.

Support Your Local Pub

Why not check a game out for yourself. The pubs participating in the Chester & District Bagatelle League have been mentioned above. You can find the Winter League fixtures HERE.

Well done to John for organising and managing the League and well done to those supporting the League. Next time I’m in the Cottage I might pick up a bat and have a go.