Building the Leeds ring

A look at how & why we built the marbles ring in Leeds (the Leeds training ground).

 Our first experience of the marbles championship in 2004 was full of delight; so much so that we decided to return. We lost in the first round against Saxonia (A German team) and the eventual winner that year. We also understood that this is a completely new type of game for us with its strategy and techniques.

We used to playing the Mediterranean game; which a single hole  individual game,  the main skill is shooting (often from a distance with precision) and touching a marble is a score. In Tinsley Green; we had a team event; where we could see some skilled back-spin players staying the ring and were wondering how it is done.

OK so we understood, if we need to play at the right level of the competitions; we needed to understand how it works. For that we needed the right platform: So on our return trip from the tournament, I had already decided to build a full-fledged official size marbles ring  and the place in my back garden. The ring measures 6 feet across (diameter) and is slightly raised, approximately 3 inches above the level of the surrounding ground  (to ensure that there is no issue about a marble being knocked out).

And that is exactly what we did; and within a couple of weeks, the marbles ring was up and ready to play. It has been serving as the main training ground for Yorkshire Meds to practice & train; as well as Summer parties with BBQ & marbles (really enjoyable afternoons). We got most of the team players & children to join in the build (mixing concrete) with Halim and Akil being the handy (experienced) force in building the frame.

In 2006/07 our house had a major extension at the back; so we moved the ring to the left side of the back garden and it has been the main place since.

In 2013, the ring needed an uplift to level it again (concrete resurfacing) and fix some of the cracks that developed on the side through wear and tear.