Eastbourne Bowling Club - History

A Brief History of Eastbourne Bowling Club

A Brief History of Eastbourne Bowling Club


Eastbourne Bowling Club
is a flourishing private outdoor flat green bowls club with a long and proud tradition.
It is affiliated to Bowls England, Sussex County Bowls Association and Sussex County Womens Bowling Association.

Originally known as Saffrons Bowling Club, it was founded on June 11, 1897 by 23 members of Eastbourne Cricket Club.
The bowls club moved to its new greens in 1909, and a year later became affiliated to the newly formed English Bowling Association.

In 1920, the name was changed to Eastbourne Bowling Club.

In 1951, the committee decided to change the colours to old gold, maroon and brown, probably to harmonize with the Armorial Bearings of the Borough (Argent, Gules, Or, Vert).

 In 1994, 96 years after the club's founding, membership was given a considerable boost with the admission of women. Saffron Ladies was formed and incorporated that year.

Outdoor Facilities
As one of the leading clubs in East Sussex, we host Bowls England and county events every year and our two greens (12 rinks) are maintained to the highest standard.

Our car park is large enough to accommodate a coach and up to 40 cars. It is open all the year round and handy for the library, the shops and the station.

Indoor Facilities
The comfortable club house and bar is open throughout the year and is large enough to accommodate a hundred bowlers and guests (12 full rinks) on match days, and many more than that at lively social events such as the annual Christmas party.

During the closed season between October 1st and April 30th, a members' bridge and cribbage group is active and a snooker tournament is staged for those who wish to recall their misspent youth. Short Mat Bowls and Table Tennis are increasingly popular activities.

Membership/Visitors
Our current playing membership is a healthy 140 with nearly 50 non-playing social members. We are always pleased to admit new members, and there is not normally a waiting list.

 We boast some excellent individual bowlers who are regular winners at county and national level. For new bowlers and improvers we have county-qualified coaches among the membership.

Details of membership and fees are available on request. We never struggle to field teams in the town leagues, and against the touring sides who visit us every season.

We are always delighted to welcome day visitors and touring sides who have not been to us before. 

Old Photos
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