Newhaven Bowling Club was founded in 1902 with its headquarters at the Sheffield Hotel, Fort Road, Newhaven.
1903 we were with a small number of other Sussex Clubs one of the Founder Members of the EBA - Now Bowls England.
We still have an EBA Yearbook from 1904.
1909 we were also one of the six Founder Members of the Sussex County Bowling Association.
1920 saw unemployed labour infill the an old clay pit on land that had been donated by Lord Sheffield to the town as a recreation ground.
A six rink green was laid on the site.
1921 the Newhaven Recreation Bowling Club was formed and located at the new green.
Both of these clubs continued to play bowls in the area up until World War 2.
1939 The Royal Navy requisitioned the entire area as a font line port and during the war both greens were destroyed along with most of the records of the two clubs.
1946 The green in the Fort Road Recreation Ground was restored by the council and both clubs merged and became Newhaven Bowling Club.
The adjoining Cafe was used as a clubhouse for several years until it became the Cricket Club Pavilion. The Bowls Club then had to use the Scouts Hut on the other side of the Recreation Ground.
During the 1970's the club entered a phase of fundraising to create their own clubhouse.
The current clubhouse was built in the 1980's and extended in the early 1990's. We have a kitchen, Ladies & Gents, Home & Away changing rooms, a store room and a large reception hall.
In 2008 Newhaven Bowling Club was awarded £10,000 from the Sport for All section of the National Lottery which enabled us to replace the roof and restore the outside of the clubhouse.
2013 the club experienced severe flooding. The water raised the ditches out of the ground and salt water got into the green. The hard work of the Club committee and the local council green keepers made sure the green was in a superb condition ready for the 2014 season.
The last Newhaven & District League played on Monday nights was won by the club in 2017.
The 2020 season was mainly cancelled due to COVID 19, but rolls ups and club competitions were able to take place. We did manage to win the Phoenix Cup, winning against Seaford.
In 2023 the club had a very good year with funds and membership healthy and our highest finish in the Meridian League in memory.