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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 eight Sussex County Bowling Association Presidents, three Sussex County Indoor Presidents, many Sussex County selectors, our members have won numerous County Competitions and at least 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 27th April 2026)
Fellow tourists, as the days begin to warm and outdoor bowling clubs start reopening for the summer months ahead, we all look forward to tentatively taking the first steps onto the early season grass and ‘gently finessing’ our bowls up and down the rink.
Quickly this takes us onto the tourist’s annual jaunt in May, this year taking us back to the Clarence Hotel in Tenby, and giving me the opportunity to revisit my first trip to Tenby in 2008 (my third tour) aided by the team photo I still have on display at home from that year. From this I reflect on both dear friends now passed and those still touring with club, and I’m reminded that we should all enjoy these times and continue to make wonderful memories of these trips away. To this end, how great it is to welcome six tourists onto their first tour, with at least one newbie to probably be found in deep discussion with your President on Liverpool FC’s disappointing 2025/26 season! We also welcome Mr Catterson back on tour after a six-year hiatus and I hope everyone has a memorable week. In addition, I’m reliably informed that ‘HRH’ Hubert Hilling will again be joining us for at least some of the week, my memories of Hubert’s hat can be seen with the updated President’s photo to accompany this message. Unfortunately, Gareth Beven (his “chunky boy”) cannot join the fun this year as he continues to prioritise his family life.
Before the tour however, we have our annual dinner at Worthing Indoor BC to look forward to. I’m really pleased to hear that we are expecting a great turnout on the night. As always, I trust Mandy and her kitchen crew will roundly look after us and I hope that everyone has a very enjoyable night. Please remember to bring your raffle prizes (and cash) along, this helping to reduce the initial cost of the evening and providing a bit of fun on the night – your Captain will be on hand to relieve you of your cash as you aim to avoid winning back the bottle of wine you brought along in the first place.
Post-tour (in addition to enthusiastically supporting Tuchel’s England at the summer World Cup) please remember that our summer friendlies against local West Sussex clubs gives us the opportunity to come together and simply enjoy an afternoon of bowls, with (hopefully) delicious home-made cakes being served up at half time. Please let Captain Roger know (if not already done so) of your availability for these matches.
Finally, whilst wishing all members (and their families) a healthy summer, I hope everyone will join me in wishing the aforementioned Gareth (and Liz) a very happy wedding day in June. I personally wish them both a long and happy future together.
Jon Clear (President)
CAPTAIN ROGER’S RAMBLINGS (posted on 27th March 2026)
The indoor season has now finished for the West Sussex Tourists. All our matches were well supported and in some games we were able to play more players by giving ‘half games’ to those who were happy to do so. We unfortunately lost all the games but it should be noted that two could have gone either way. Listening and talking to you all it seems everyone enjoyed the afternoons entertainment.
Our next gathering is our annual dinner which is always a good evening. Let’s hope this year is no different.
Then it’s our annual tour where this year we are pleased to welcome six new members, please make them welcome. Let us all enjoy ourselves with good food, good beer and good company. It would be nice to get back to winning ways on the greens as well.! I hope you all have a great time and we can all then look forward to the next one in Worcester.
The outdoor season starts in about a months time and I hope that you all give me the same support you have done during the winter. I will give as many of you as many games as possible and will continue asking players to play ‘half games’ to enable more of you to play. Fingers crossed we will have some W’s and only a few L’s.
I look forward to seeing many of you at the dinner and will enjoy taking your money for the raffle and of course your company.
Captain Roger.
CLUB CALENDAR 2026/27 (updated on 16th March 2026)
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 (1) – Gareth Beven
Gareth Beven receives his HLVP certificate from President Jon Clear at the AGM in November 2025. Congratulations Gareth.
OUR NEWEST HLVP (2) – Jonathan Clear
Jon Clear receives his HLVP certificate from Captain Roger Ayling at the AGM in November 2025. Congratulations Jon.
To view the club calendar of events for 2026 and 2027 please click this link: WSBTC – calendar 2026 and 2027 as at 26.03.16