Save the date Saturday 26th September

Everyone the poster for our MacMillan day is now up in the clubhouse.For all those lovely people who can make or buy a cake for the event please could you put your name and type of cake down on the list provided.

Thank you all in advance, all help is appreciated to make this a fantastic event as always

Welcome to Whitstable Bowling Club.    

New members are our future and we welcome experienced bowlers and novices alike, we welcome all ages. To ensure those new to bowling don't sit on the sidelines we run a full tuition programme from our two qualified coaches, and it's free to people who go on to join the club.

 

About the Bowls Club

All this time we have played in our idyllic setting, overlooked by Whitstable Castle and its glorious grounds, which merge seamlessly into the carefully tended gardens that surround our green.  Established in 1936, the club has now been here for 90 years. We are literally a stones throw from our wonderful seaside location.

We are delighted to welcome our guests and visitors into our well appointed clubhouse.

The town of Whitstable is renowned for good food and at our club we are proud to have built a reputation among visiting clubs for the quality of the refreshments we provide and the warmth of our hospitality. Whitstable has much to offer the tourist so many visiting clubs arrive early in the day to visit our town to sample our local delights before their game. .

 

Affiliated to Bowls England, KCBA, KCWBA

Hannah Roe

Reporting from Whitstable

• Published

  31 August 2026

Norman Tilley has been alive for longer than his bowls club in Kent has been established.

At 103 years old, he is one of Whitstable Bowling Club's most treasured members, celebrating birthdays there, organising club holidays and even winning trophies.

Norman's friends describe him as a "legend".

"He doesn't stop - he's just such a character," said club officer Tracy Hamilton. "You've never met anybody like Norman and isn't it just unbelievable that he's still bowling?"

She added: "He organises all of our club holidays, he sorts things, he's a lovely chap."

Norman has a special chair that allows him to sit down during some of the longer games, but apart from that, he shows no sign of slowing down just yet.

Norman has been playing for 38 years and made six club finals

"This really is a wonderful club," Norman said. "There's quizzes, bingo nights and I organise the club holidays too, have done for years, so there really is interest for me all year round."

The bowler was a keen sportsman in his youth. He was stationed in Gaza during World War Two and competed in athletics in several countries representing the Royal Air Force.

He joined the bowls club when he was 68 and has been playing several times a week ever since.

When asked what his secret to longevity was, he said: "I've no idea, I'm just an ordinary individual.

"I've had my illnesses and there have been a few times when I've nearly dropped the old clanger as you might say, but I've overcome them and here I am."