Newhaven Bowling Club - A Brief History
The club, a private one was founded in 1902, with its Headquarters at the Sheffield Hotel, Fort Road. The Green was situated at the rear of the Hotel and no doubt was sponsored by the proprietors. In 1903 it was a small number of Sussex Clubs who were Founder Members of the E.B.A.
It was also one of six clubs who founded S.C.B.A. In 1920 unemployed labour was used to infill the old clay pit on the Recreation Ground (Donated to the Town by Lord Sheffield) where the town laid a new 6 rink green.
In 1921 Newhaven Recreation Bowling Club was formed, based on the new public green. Two active bowling clubs continued to enjoy the game of bowls up until the commencement of World War II at which point the Royal Navy requisitioned both greens. The club facilities were comprehensively damaged and most records of the two clubs were either lost or destroyed. At the end of the war the remaining members of the ‘Newhaven Bowling Club’ found that the cost of restoring their green was prohibitive, whereas in 1946 the ‘Recreation Club’s’ green was fully resorted by Newhaven Urban District Council.
James Baldwin JP, the then Chairman of the N.B.C. called a meeting of members where it was agreed to amalgamate with the ‘Recreation Club’. The ‘Recreation Club’ then agreed that the club name should be changed to ‘Newhaven Bowling Club’. Click here to learn more....
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