 | A brief history of the West Sussex Bowls Touring Club |
| In early 1955 a group of thirty bowlers got together and arranged a bowls tour. Under the directorship of Chairman / Captain A.G.Smart of the Tithe Green BC and Secretary C.J.Uncles from Worthing Pavilion BC, they left Worthing Central Railway Station on 15th May 1955 by coach and headed for the Royal Hotel, Weymouth. The next day Greenhill BC in Weymouth played host to the clubs first match - against Weymouth and District. On this first tour they travelled under the name of 'The West Sussex Tourists' and so successful was the week that it was decided to put the tour on an official footing and accordingly a meeting was called for 21st July 1955. Mr.Artlett of the Maltravers club was elected President and a name of the Sussex Martlets Bowls Touring Club was agreed. At a committee meeting held in October that year the Hon.Secretary reported that the Worthing Pavilion BC had agreed that our members could affiliate to their club and use their facilities. The close links with the Worthing Pavilion club still exist today with our club holding Committee and Annual General Meetings in their clubhouse. During 2001 'Pavilion' offered the tourists the use of their greens should we wish to host other clubs. We took advantage of this kind offer by hosting matches in 2005 against both Sussex County BA and the English BA. By November 1955 the club name had been changed to it's current title of the West Sussex Bowls Touring Club, Sussex County BA having objected to any club prefixing it's name with the word 'Sussex'. The club have toured every year since and a total of 308 members have enjoyed bowling with the club on their annual jaunts. | |
Are we the club for you? |  |
| You are interested in becoming a member? Some information about the club that may help you make your mind up as to whether joining us is for you. The club was formed in 1955 by a group of bowlers from in and around Littlehampton and Worthing. The sole purpose of the club was to provide social recreation and a bowling holiday for male bowlers. Nothing has changed since these early days except that the club has developed a regular 'non tour' fixture list in both the Outdoor and Indoor seasons. We have been lucky enough to have had in our membership no less than four Sussex County Bowling Association Presidents, at least three Sussex County selectors, our members have won numerous County Competitions and three National Titles. Although competitive on the green we pride ourselves on being a club for all standards literally from beginners to National Champion. We believe our club has a tremendous reputation for camaraderie both on and off the green and this is paramount in the thoughts of the committee when reviewing applications from new members. Potential members must at the time of their application be a member of a Bowling Club within the County boundary of West Sussex or be a member of a club from outside West Sussex but be resident within West Sussex. Applicants should be aware that the club is run for bowlers who wish to: a) Travel on our annual tour (usually leave Sussex on the 2nd Saturday in May). b) Partake in our 'non tour' matches and invited 'opens' both indoor and outdoor. c) Have an interest in attending our annual dinner (usually 1st Friday in May). d) Enjoy themselves in the company of like minded bowlers. The club wear Burgundy coloured shirts (and Burgundy coloured jumpers if one is worn) for all their matches and upon acceptance to the club details will be given to members re purchase of the garments. | |
 | Presidents View - December 2011 |
| I would like to start by saying how proud and privileged I feel in being elected as President of this very special club - The West Sussex Bowls Touring Club. I joined in 1999 with my friend Kevin Mitchell and we were invited to tour at late notice to Mortehoe in North Devon. The invitation was to travel as ‘non bowlers’ and it really was as non bowlers, we didn’t play a single game! The captain at that time was Peter Rolfe and he made us feel extremely welcome. I have toured with five other Captains since Peter and of course enjoyed four years doing the job myself. Getting back to the role of President, the member in office at Mortehoe was Ken Geary and there have only been three others since - Brian Wellsted, Kenny Timms and for the last seven years Cecil Wadey. The only other two Past Presidents I have known and played with are Ken Armstrong and his twin brother Geoff. These gentlemen have been the bedrock of this wonderful club. You can understand therefore that I feel very humble in joining the company of these very special members and as I said to Cecil at the AGM ‘he isn’t a hard act to follow he is an impossible act to follow’! Thankfully for me he is now the Immediate Past President and so still involved at Committee level so if I need advice or I am not doing things properly he will either be there with his much appreciated advice or his big stick! All I can promise is that I will do my utmost to fulfil the office of President to the best of my ability. Thank you all for the trust you have put in me by electing me to be this clubs twenty third President. Bill | |
 | Captains thoughts - December 2011 |
| Gentlemen, I feel very honoured to have been asked by you to be this unique clubs thirty-third Captain. Looking through the list of the previous incumbents I realise I have some very hard acts to follow. With the help of my fellow Officers and Committee I will strive to do my best and ensure the wonderful reputation this club has around the South of England is not tainted on my watch. I had a great start to my Captaincy at the end of November when the club obtained a win at Worthing Pavilion IBC by 115 shots to 99. My thanks to all of you who played that day, giving me such a wonderful start to my term of office. I would ask you all to try to make yourselves available as much as possible for the clubs ’non tour’ games. These matches are great fun and a chance to catch up with new and old members who maybe we don’t see so often around the circuit. Our new Indoor fixture at Adur on December 10th has had to be cancelled due to lack of numbers. I am told this is the first time our club have ever had to do this. I can only presume that the timing (2nd Saturday in December) was the reason. I have chatted with our Hon. Secretary and he will speak with the Adur club with a view to changing the date for next season. With regards to selection and notification of teams for our non tour games my proposal is to notify everyone who has supplied the club with an email address by that method. Those of you who do not have this facility will receive a letter by GPO (snail mail). Chris will also post the sides for me on the club website. Approximately two weeks before the game I or one of the Committee will then telephone and remind you that you are playing. I hope we can all enjoy an enjoyable and successful year both on tour in Bournemouth next May and throughout the season in our friendly games. I am sure with your support all will go smoothly. Derek | |
Application form |  |
| If after reading all the above information you feel the club is right for you please click HERE to download an application form. Alternatively please contact the Honorary Secretary via the email link on the Officers page. | |
 | Club calendar 2012/13 |
| To view a Calendar of all the club events for 2012/13 please click HERE Updated on Thursday February 2nd 2012. | |
Our record breaking tourist - Ken Armstrong |  |
| Ken joined the club in 1980 served as Hon.Secretary from 1982 -1987 and President in 1989 and 1990. Ken is looking forward to his 33rd consecutive tour when the club travels to Bournemouth in May 2012. Well done Ken we all hope there are many more tours ahead for you. | |
 | Tour records - Members on tour |
| The tour party 2011 pictured in the gardens of The Frognel Hall Hotel, Torquay. Missing from the picture are Alan Catterson and Graham Allen who were both 'laid up' with a stomach bug on the morning the picture was taken. To view a complete record of who has toured with our club (and when) please click HERE. Updated to include our 2011 tour. | |
WSBTC - Officers of the club |  |
| The Officers and Committee of the club whilst on tour at Torquay in May 2011. To view a complete record of all the Officers of the club since our formation in 1955 please click HERE. Updated to include our 2011 tour. | |
Club Tour Champion 2011 - Barry Whitmore |  |
| Club Champion Barry Whitmore pictured accepting the Norman Brown Trophy from club president Cecil Wadey. To view a complete record of the Clubs Tour Champions since the clubs formation in 1955 please click here. Updated to include the 2011 tour. | |
 | New President - Bill Bryder |
| Outgoing President Cecil Wadey presents the new man in the job (Bill Bryder) with his 'chain of office' and 'presidents badge' at the AGM in November 2011. | |
 | New Captain - Derek Brockhurst |
| Outgoing Captain Bill Bryder presents the new man in the job (Derek Brockhurst) with the 'captains badge' at the AGM in November 2011. | |
Related Websites:
- Arundel BC - A friendly club with their green in the shadows of Arundel Castle.
- Bond Bowls - Discount offered to club members on Bowls, Clothing and Equipment. See the 'Members Only' section for more details.
- Bowling In Spain - Keep up to date with Bowls in the sun!
- Bowls Club.Info - A massive site covering bowls clubs throughout the world.
- East Preston BC - The site of East Preston BC, a number of our members play at the club
- English Bowling Association - The site of our National Association
- Horsham BC - The site of our friends from North of the downs.
- Lindfield BC - An excellent site from probably the top club in Mid Sussex
- Southbourne Bowls Club - A fantastic site from our friends on the Sussex / Hampshire border.
- Sussex County Bowling Association - The Website of our County Association.
- Tarring Priory Bowls Club - The Tarring Priory Bowls Club Website
- Worthing Pavilion BC - The site of the club we use as our headquarters.