 | 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 on their premises. 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 294 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 two 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 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 -January 2008 |
| Gentlemen we start the new season with mixed feelings about the last twelve months. We have recently lost two of our most loyal and hardworking members. Firstly, Mr Brian Wellsted who served us in all offices for some 20 years. Secondly Mr Tony Bray who served on the committee for several years took office as Treasurer in 2001 and continued until 2006 when he was forced to resign owing to ill health. We send our condolences to both families. On the other hand we had an excellent tour to Torquay which everyone seemed to enjoy immensely, the hotel was second to none. Our new Treasurer has taken to the new job like a duck to water, even I could understand the books, Well done Jonathan. We also had a well attended AGM, a vast improvement, Thanks very much lads. Let us look forward to 2008. We have a new Captain - Mr Bill Bryder, I am sure he will do well. I am convinced also that you will make yourselves available as much as possible for the outdoor and indoor games. This will make Bill’s life a lot easier. Good Luck Bill and have a good tour. We can now look forward to the Tenby Tour in early May. We have a full contingent at the moment. Thanks to our Hon Sec, Chris we have matches and visits to interesting places organised for the whole week. All we have to do is go along and thoroughly enjoy ourselves and I am sure we can manage that! Well done Chris. We then have our outdoor games during the summer, when we can all have a game of bowls and a little drink together. I shall look forward to you all buying me one! Don’t let us forget our Annual Dinner at the Worthing I.B.C in early May. The work has been done, let us all look forward to 2008, I hope to see you all in the very near future, good luck and good health to you all. | |
Captains thoughts - February 2008 |  |
| It was when my son came into my business and began to take more off of my shoulders that I thought of bowling. Bowling seemed like a relaxing game to take you away from the stresses of everyday life. I Joined Petworth Bowling Club in 1998 with my mate Mitch and soon realised I should have joined at least ten years before. I really enjoyed it! It wasn't long before I met met a bowling character - the one and only Harry Gosnell, no doubt it was at the bar. We had a few drinks and a chat and he said “why don’t you and Mitch join the West Sussex Tourists?”. We asked how and he told us to sign a form which we did Harry told us he was on the committee and there was a chance that we would be able to attend the next tour to Morthoe as non bowlers - (and as Chris will tell you we are still coming as ‘non bowlers’!) What a week, every club had a bar and as non bowlers what else was there to do? We lost a whole week, both thinking the club would never allow us to tour again! But luckily we have been every year since. The West Sussex Bowls Touring Club is without a doubt the best club in West Sussex, the bond and friendship within the club is second to none. It is a very special club and it is to me a great honour and privilege to be its Captain. The club is so well run and I will do my very best to keep it that way. I have met so many friends from different clubs in West Sussex which wouldn’t have happened but for Harry Gosnell and that tour to Morthoe in 1999! Bill Our picture shows retiring Captain Noddy Clement presenting Bill (right) with his badge of office. | |
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 |
| To view a Calendar of all the club events for 2008/9 please click HERE | |
Our record breaking tourist - Ken Armstrong |  |
| Ken joined the club in 1980 served the club as Hon.Secretary from 1982 -1987 and President in 1989 and 1990. Ken is looking forward to May 2008 when he will be travelling with us for the 29th time. Well done Ken we all hope there are many more tours ahead for you. | |
 | Annual tour 2007 |
| 38 members of the club travelled to Torquay on 12th May. Pictured is our tour hotel: The Frognel Hall. Any clubs reading this site who want a tour based in South Devon should think seriously about contacting Steve and Helen Marks the proprietors. An excellent venue, excellent hosts and a great staff. If you want to see the hotels website the address is www.frognel.co.uk | |
 | Tour records - Members on tour |
| The tour party 2007 plus our Coach Driver Diane. To view a complete record of who has toured with our club (and when) please click here. | |
WSBTC - Officers of the club |  |
| The Officers and Committee of the club whilst on tour at Torquay in May 2007. To view a complete record of all the Officers of the club since it's formation in 1955 please click here. | |
Club Tour Champion 2007 - Chris Rolph |  |
| After 24 years of trying Hon. Secretary Chris Rolph finally wins the Norman Brown trophy. To view a complete record of the Clubs Tour Champions since the clubs formation in 1955 please click here. | |
Related Websites:
- 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
- Lindfield BC - An excellent site from probably the top club in Mid Sussex
- Sussex County Bowling Association - The Website of our County Association.
- Tarring Priory Bowls Club - The Tarring Priory Bowls Club Website