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A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE WEST SUSSEX BOWLS TOURING CLUB
In early 1955 a group of 30 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 tour 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. 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’.
We would like to record our thanks and appreciation to Worthing Pavilion BC who allow us to play ‘home’ matches at their venue. We took advantage of this kind offer by hosting matches in 2005 (our 50th year) against both Sussex County and English BA. In 2015 (our 60th year), once again we hosted Sussex County. Thanks also to Worthing Indoor BC who allow us to hold committee meetings and our AGM on their premises.
The club have toured every year since and a total of 357 members have enjoyed bowling with the club on their annual jaunts. This remarkable touring record came to an end in 2020 and 2021 due to the awful Corona-virus Pandemic. We can proudly boast of 18 members who have each toured on 20 or more occasions. Our 2019 tour saw our club secretary Chris Rolph create a new touring record having travelled 36 times. His record has now been extended to 40 tours. The previous record holder Ken Armstrong went on 35 tours before he passed away in May 2014. Steve Hawkes has also travelled 35 times, Cecil Wadey 32 and Roger Ayling 27. Graham Allen, Alan Catterson, Harry Gosnell and Kevin Mitchell have been on 25. Geoff Armstrong, Ron Hyam, Cecil Salisbury and Charles Walkden 23, Bill Bryder, Wally Edwards and Ted Lane 22. David Dallyn, Joe Gilpin achieved 21.
WE MUST SURELY BE DOING SOMETHING RIGHT!
To view a spreadsheet of all the matches (and results) of matches played on tour since 1955 (up to and including our 2025 tour – 2020 and 2021 both cancelled due to Covid) please click WSBTC – tour results etc
To view a spreadsheet of all the members who have toured with the club and the years they travelled (1955-2025) please click WSBTC – tours travelled 1955 to date 25.05.22
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, three Sussex County Indoor 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 members who wish to: a) travel on our annual tour (we usually leave Sussex on the second Saturday in May). b) partake in our ‘non tour friendly’ matches and invited ‘opens’ both indoor and outdoor. c) have an interest in attending our annual dinner (usually the first Friday in May). d) enjoy themselves in the company of likeminded bowlers. The club wear Burgundy coloured shirts (and Burgundy coloured jumpers if one is worn) together with Grey trousers or shorts for all their matches. Upon acceptance to the club details will be given re purchase of the garments.
APPLICATION FORM
If after reading all the above information you feel the club is right for you please click WSBTC – application form and info page to download an application form. Alternatively please contact the Honorary Secretary on 07876/538583.
THE THOUGHTS OF PRESIDENT JON (posted on 9th June 2025)
Fellow tourists, on arriving back in blustery Sussex, I reflect on a fantastic and sunny week on tour in Paignton, thanks to everyone for making the committee’s job stress free during the week.
A very big shout-out to David Parker for winning the tour player of the week. What an achievement and I was honoured to present the champions trophy to David. Special thanks from me also go to Paignton Bowling Club for not only putting on the best cream tea/homemade scones of week (remember cream first in Devon) but also their support in allowing tourists to play in our Hawaiian shirts in memory of passed members – may this new tradition continue on future tours. Additionally, I highly recommend the variety show at the Babbacombe Theatre running throughout the summer season, a great night of live entertainment.
I now look forward to seeing many tourists at our summer friendly games, please remember to support your captain Roger if you are asked to play. In particular, I hope to see some of you supporting Simon Tooley’s 13-hour Bowlathon on Saturday 21st June, at Priory Park, Chichester. This is a very important day in helping us reach the club’s fundraising target in meeting the cost of a Portable Defibrillator together with some initial training; as we’ve said this could literally save someone’s life. I’m pleased to see that many members have already supported this cause, but please speak with myself, Simon or Chris if you would like to make a donation.
Finally, I look forward to the sunny weather arriving in Sussex and I wish everyone good health over the coming months.
Jon Clear (President)
CAPTAIN ROGER’S RAMBLINGS (posted on 17th September 2025)
Our last indoor season followed the usual pattern, we lost all our games! However on the bright side all games were well supported and over subscribed. This allowed me to give more of you a game by switching players at half time. Hopefully this will continue this winter and allow more of us to meet up for a chat.
As usual a great time was had by all who travelled on the Paignton tour. The results were a little disappointing however with us losing more than we won. I don’t recall this happening before during my time with the club. Chris tells me it was back in 1988 on the clubs first Tenby tour.
Contrary to our Indoor results the outdoor season was very successful We won four of our five games with two matches cancelled. Our scores were 381-295. All the clubs treated us to lots of home made cakes and very nice they were too. Many thanks to the ladies at all the clubs, we appreciate your efforts.
Now on to the forthcoming Indoor season where I hope you support the club by making yourselves available as much as you can. Maybe we will even get to win a game?
Thank you
Captain Roger
CLUB CALENDAR 2025/26 (updated on 5th September 2025)
2025 TOUR CHAMPION – DAVID PARKER
2025 Tour champion David Parker receives the Ken Armstrong Champions Trophy from President Jon Clear.
OUR RECORD BREAKING TOURIST – Chris Rolph
Chris Rolph being presented with his engraved trophy to commemorate his attaining a club record of 36 consecutive tours in 2019. Paul Armstrong the son of the previous record holder Ken Armstrong travelled to Tenby to present the award. Chris has now extended his number of tours to 40.
OUR NEW PRESIDENT – Jon Clear
Our new President Jon Clear proudly wearing his Presidential Chain after being presented with it by Acting President Derek Brockhurst at the 2023 AGM.
OUR NEWEST HLVP – Derek Ford
Derek Ford receives his HLVP certificate from Acting President Derek Brockhurst at the AGM in November 2023. Congratulations Derek.
To view the club calendar of events for 2025 and 2026 please click this link: WSBTC – calendar 2025 and 2026 as at 25.09.05