2025 Season Gallery
End of Season Social
4th October
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A day of social bowling - Ladies vs Gentlemen - followed by hot dogs in the clubhouse and lots of happy chatter.
Captain Val volunteered to take the photograph, causing much concern afterwards that she wasn't in it, so here's one that was taken earlier with Vice- Captain Paul (who's hard to spot in the group photo).
Thanks to both of them for their work this season.
And thanks to everyone who gives their time to support our club.
Football Competition
20th September
The last competition of the season, a fun based day of bowling when the scoring system is based on goals.
This year ten teams entered: Leyton Orient, Lionesses, Brighton, Hearts, Sunderland, Liverpool, Arsenal, Grimsby, Fulham, and Hellenia G S.
A great selection as dress code for the day is team colours.
Semi-finalists were; Liverpool vs Sunderland and Fulham vs Leyton Orient
Congratulations to the winners - Mark, Alan and Damien (Leyton Orient) who beat Dave, Jane and John (Sunderland) in the final.
Finals Weekend
6th & 7th September
President's Shield
Paul Garland vs Phil Goodwin
Congratulations to Paul who won this competition for the 4th year in a row!
Verdon King Trophy
Val Harvey vs Vic Godfree
Congratulations Vic
Club Pairs
John Jonas & Mike Wright vs Bill Gillam & Kevin Prince
Congratulations John and Mike
Club Singles
Playing in a new format this year, this was the most exciting match of the weekend.
The format: two sets of 9 ends. a tie breaker best of three ends if there's a draw.
Our finalist were Mark Llewellyn and Paul Garland
Mark took the first set, 10 - 3
Paul took the second set.
It was down to the 3 end play-off.
First end to Mark
Second end to Paul
Nail biting stuff for the audience.
Then Paul took the third end and the cups.
Congratulations to the winner and thanks to both players.
Kangaroo Cup
Our Australian Pairs competition
Jilly McAleese & Damien Girdler vs Phil Goodwin & Vic Godfree
Congratulations to Jilly and Damien
Men's Singles
Damien Girdler vs John Jonas
Congratulations Damien
Ladies' Singles
Congratulations Val Harvey
30th August Captain's Day
Our Captain, Val, hosted this annual event for players and their partners.
After a lovely lunch - thanks to Val and her helpers for all their hard work - we all headed for photos on the green and then enjoyed twelve ends of bowls playing in formats strange to most of us, but fun.
Tea and cakes rounded off the day nicely!
23rd August Charity Day
This year our Charity Day raised £400 for Interact Stroke Support.
Caroline Smith, who founded the charity 25 years ago, spent the afternoon with us and accepted the "ceremonial cheque" from Paul, our vice-captain.
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Find out more about the charity at
16th August Two Wood Competition
Playing for the Geoff Bishop Trophy
Playing with just two woods was Geoff's preferred format so it is fitting that this new trophy has been dedicated to his memory.
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From 22 starters the semi-finalists were:​
Vic, Sheila, Richard and Alan
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The final between Richard and Alan was a very close match, drawn after 12 ends, it needed a one end play off for Richard to secure a win.
Captain Val presented the plaques and trophy
2nd August Club Triples
Playing for the Cyril Marchant Trophy
Cyril Marchant played at Saltdean Bowling Club in the 1970s and 80s.
The Trophy was provided by his family in 1988.
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It was perfect day for bowling, not too hot, almost no wind.
11 hopeful teams started the competition.
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Spectators were treated to a nail biting final. After the allotted eight ends it was a 7-7 draw, the winners decided by a one end play-off.
Our Captain, Val, presented the trophy and plaques
The winners
Roy, Maria and Mary
Runners-up
John, Peter and Julien
Hurstpierpoint Cup - 26th July
Two very friendly games played at Saltdean and Hurstpierpoint in memory of Ben Bennett and Geoff Bishop who had been friends since their childhood.
Hurstpierpoint won the first match at Saltdean in June. Saltdean won at Hurstpierpoint and were the overall winners by a small points difference.
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Mrs Bennett presented the trophy to our Captain , Val Barton.
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And we all agreed that Geoff would have fully approved of the very special afternoon tea provided by HBC members.
Alec Grisbrook Trophy - 5th July
Alec Grisbrook was a member of Saltdean Bowling Club for many years. He died in May 2009 after collapsing during a league match. This Australian pairs competition, playing for the trophy, was introduced in his memory, and traditionally is played in bright clothing. Sadly not very obvious this year as the weather gods weren't kind to us. It was a cloudy, blustery day and the 32 players had to fight the wind turning their woods as well as the vagaries of the rinks.
Thanks to Damien, our Competitions Secretary, for organising the day and to John and Mavis Jonas for providing Sangria for the spectators.
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And also big thanks to the spectators who huddled in the wind and a shower of rain and encouraged the players.
Our Captain Val Barton presented the trophy.
Runners-up - Maria Norris and Kevin Prince
Winners - Jilly McAleese and Andi Pearson
Captain vs Vice-captain - 28th June
A lovely afternoon of play with tea and cake at half-time.
This year the Captain's team won by a small margin!
Captain Val with her team
Vice-captain Paul with his team
Jack Hudson Trophy - 10th May
Our Yardstick Competition.
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Very close finishes in the semi-finals were followed by an exciting final for the spectators. Tied at twelve ends, the extra end shoot-out was won by Ian, who scored the winning point.​​​
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The cup was presented by Val, our Captain.
Well played Ian Robertson and Jim McLaren
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Semi-finalists
Paul Garland
Jim McLaren
Ian Robertson
Anne Turton
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President's Day
This year's event was held in Memory of Geoff Bishop who was the elected president of the club from 2009 - 2011 and from 2019 - 2025.
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In recognition of Geoff's favoured format of bowls play, ten teams played Rinks matches in ideal weather.
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After the action the players were joined by social members in the clubhouse for a delicious tea - thanks to everyone that contributed to make this a very special afternoon.​​​
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Hove League Success
Well done Saltdean
Winners of the Hove League 2025 Round Robin Competition and runners up in the 2024 competition the team have contributed £80 to Saltdean funds.​
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​​2025 Round Robin Competition
Winner's Prize money £50
​​2024 Runner's up
Prize money £30
Opening the Green
The green was opened on 18th April by our Captain and our Greenkeeper, who then sent the first woods of the 2025 Season.​
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​​The traditional Group photo was secured and followed by friendly games to test the rinks.
This season brings big changes. The club has taken responsibility for the maintenance of the green and its surrounds. Over winter volunteers have been working hard. Thanks to everyone involved.
And check out this creation in Longridge Avenue
Well done Helen!