History of 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.
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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.
1960
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.
1965
Marine Gardens Bowling Green - 1965, the club was well established as a men only bowling facility.
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.
2006
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.
2012
In 2012 after a night of a horrendous rain storm many of the surrounding flats basements were flooded, the firebrigade managed to pump the water into the pond. The pond overflowed and turned the bowling green into a lake complete with a stock of goldfish.
Green Flag Award Winner :- 2018/2019 - 2019/2020 - 2020/2021 - 2021/2022
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.
MARINE GARDENS - PARK FACILITIES
Bowling - Café/Restaurant - Golf/Crazy Golf - Pond - Public Transport Links - Toilets - Walled Garden
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Managing Organisation - Worthing Borough Council