History of Marine Gardens Bowling Club

MARINE GARDENS BOWLING CLUB

The bowling green was laid down during the autumn and winter of 1929-1930 and was

ceremonially opened by the then Mayor, Alderman H. F. Carmichael, who bowled the

first jack and woods on the new green in April 1931.

The club formed in 1930, has used the Worthing Borough Council

owned green and clubhouse since that time.

Mr. George Stracey convened the first meeting of Marine Gardens Bowling Club

in October 1930 and was appointed the Club's first Captain in 1931.

He designed the club badge, however, very shortly afterwards, it was thought

that the "brown" crown was not bright enough and was replaced with golden thread.

Mr. George Stracey also donated the Stracey Shield in 1931, creating competition

and keen rivalry between local bowling clubs playing on the greens within the

Borough of Worthing. The Stracey Shield is still competed for today.

The photo shows a step back in time to the mid-1960s.

Please note the number of deckchairs as opposed to the numerous benches which now encompass the green.

Marine Gardens Bowling Green - 1965

In 2001, the club accepted lady members and became the first totally mixed

bowling club in Worthing, where all matches played are now mixed.

As well as their own internal competitions, the ladies are encouraged to take on

the men in many internal competitions that are not restricted by Bowls England to men only.

In 2006, extensions were made to the East and West of the main clubroom to provide individual

changing room facilities for ladies and men with the provision of their own toilet and wash areas.

The enlarged and refurbished Clubhouse can now support and accommodate an increased

membership and allows a number of planned social events throughout the year.

Green Flag Award Winner - 2018 - 2019 and 2019 -2020

Marine Gardens is a compact but very popular park on the seafront in West Worthing, laid out in 1930,

and held in great affection by the people of Worthing.

The Gardens lie 1.25 miles west of Worthing Pier and are open to the public all year round.

The Gardens are accessible off Marine Parade on the Seafront and Winchelsea Gardens to the North of the site,

there is plenty of on street parking around the Park. Equally, it is easily reached by bike, bus or on foot.

The park is packed with ornamental and formal planting, creating a warm and welcoming place.

It is uniquely busy and bustling and yet a calm and peaceful space at the same time.

Bowls and putting is available daily during the summer months and there are public conveniences open to the public

from 9.30am to dusk every day, located at the Bowls Pavilion.

The site is flat but there is a ramp down into the gardens from the seafront; paths are wide and accessible around

the whole site, and so is ideally suited to those with mobility problems.

This is a popular site to sit and spend some time relaxing in the peaceful environment enjoying bowls being played

or for visiting the popular and busy privately run restaurant. The Waterwise Playground and Waterwise garden

are on the foreshore only a few metres to the west.

And, being so close to the beach, it extends the recreational area for visitors and residents alike.

PARK FACILITIES

Bowling - Café/Restaurant - Golf/CrazyGolf - Pond - Public Transport Links - Toilets - Walled Garden

Managing Organisation - Worthing Borough Council

Websitehttps://www.adur-worthing.gov.uk/parks/find/worthing/marine-gardens/