Our History.
St Leonards Bowls club is an entirely self-funded members club, we receive no funding from the council and are entirely dependent on members and the public for financial support.
In 2020 due to local council cutbacks Hastings Borough Council decided they could no longer afford to pay for the upkeep of the many council run bowls greens and withdrew their funding for all but a very few grounds. Fortunately at St Leonards our president Ken Beaney along with his wife Pam, treasurer Joy Veares and a few loyal members pent many long hours putting together a rescue plan for the club. Eventually the council agreed they would lease the green and the clubhouse to the club. While this was an historic victory it did mean that the club would be responsible for the upkeep of the club and maintenance of the green. Ken found some local sponsors Willows funeral service and Crest House care homes who have provided much need financial backing for the first few years and with the help of the members has managed to keep the club open.
There has been a bowls club in St Leonards since the early 20C when lawn bowls was a very popular sport. Unfortunately in recent years with the advent of other entertainments lawn bowls has become less prominent in the public mind and has fallen down the list of popular activities. This is a shame as bowls has a long and proud history in the UK as a national sporting activity back to Sir Francis Drake apparently declaring that he had plenty of time to finish his bowls match before tackling the Spanish Armada and beyond.
St Leonards Bowls Club is committed to raising the profile of lawn bowls in the local community and as such to introduce this great outdoor sport to all members of the community young and old. Do come along and join the fun.
