In November 2024, the Active Rother programme awarded Polegrove Bowls Club (Bexhill) with a grant to support the development of the club’s session delivery, publicity and to buy new equipment.
This was to help the club develop its offer to the community, attract new members and increase the awareness of the health and wellbeing benefits of playing bowls – no matter the age or ability.
New equipment
The club’s new equipment includes a wheelchair and bowling arms, and a variety of bowls ready for use so new members are able to try bowls without the cost. They also have two picker uppers to enable people who are unable to bend/kneel down to play. This will enable people who are less mobile to play.
A key element of this work began in mid-May last year, a 16 week programme of free bowls sessions for beginners. Over the 16 week period, 46 people – mainly retired people, although there were some younger adults – took up the offer. The club reported that many people were happy to share their own individual circumstances and reasons why they decided to give bowling a go. This varied from:
- losing a loved one
- physical or mental health issues
- not being especially motivated to get out and do something.
Keeping informed
To keep people updated, the club created a WhatsApp group called ‘The Titans’ so the Saturday Group could form their own chat group to arrange roll-ups etcetera. This has proven to be very successful, so much so that some of this group arranged to meet outside of the Saturday Group for regular roll-ups for the social aspect and to improve their skills.
Gaining confidence and skills
There are many examples of individual stories of how taking part in bowls has helped people. Here a Club Committee member explains one example of how and why someone joined the club.
A lady joined us at the beginning of our bowls season in spring 2025. She was approached by one of our members whilst she was walking her dog just outside the club grounds, as she was showing interest in the game. After a conversation explaining that she had recently been widowed and has some health issues that limit her in what she can do, she wanted to increase her fitness levels and meet new people and socialise more. So she decided to give our taster sessions a try.
During the course of the season she enjoyed the sessions so much, she encouraged her friends to give bowling a try. By the end of the season she had joined the club and attends our social events and gets great pleasure in being part of the club. Since she started bowling, she has gained in confidence and skills but more importantly, she has developed a circle of friends and is keen to contribute to the progression of the club in any way she can. She has even gained enough confidence to enter into friendly competitions both at home and away and is looking to enter into County competitions next season.
She is now a member of our recruitment drive for next season and has started to play indoor bowls over the winter period. This has given her the opportunity to continue meeting up with her new circle of friends whilst they play indoors as well as continuing to be more active.
Become a member
The club are looking to continue their work to engage the community in bowls next year.
For more information visit polegrovebowlsclub.org.uk/welcome