The club’s origins date back to 1988, when more than two hundred local bowls enthusiasts, united in their efforts, urged Canterbury City Council to secure a permanent venue for what is now The Oyster Indoor Bowls Club.
Founder member Peter Newman (image) retired from his job early, to take on the challenge full time along with his wife Eva. Many frustrating years later, the Council offered an old and derelict ‘Cash-and-Carry’ warehouse sited on the east side of Whitstable harbour. The building was in a very poor state of repair, with only three external walls left standing; the fourth wall, having all its shutter doors removed by the previous owners, left the building fully exposed. The site wasn’t secure and the building lay vulnerable and had been vandalised over time. Nevertheless, the premises were approved by the English Indoor Bowls Association and work started to bring it up to an acceptable standard with two ‘greens’ being installed.
It was a true community project, financed by its own members, each contributing funds on a 10-year low-interest loan. The work was duly completed and all loans paid back within eight years!
Much worked has been carried out to the premises over the on-going years, to ensure that the safety and comfort of all members is maintained. A new suspended ceiling was introduced, which allowed for improved lighting and the installation of a new heating system. The lowered ceiling also aids with reduced heat loss during the winter, keeping costs under control.
Not many good things can be said about Covid-19, but the severity of the virus posed many questions, not just to the world, but also to our club. After careful deliberation, air filtration and air conditioning systems were installed to ensure ‘cleaner air’ for our members once lockdown restrictions were lifted and bowls recommenced. The club also replaced the two ‘greens’ with brand new blue carpets, which coincidently matches part pf the club’s official shirts!
A grant from the Sports Council paid for new changing rooms and toilets to be added, bringing the club well and truly into the 21st century.
On the ground floor behind the ‘greens’ you’ll find a well-stocked licensed bar, offering hot drinks, light refreshments, such as home-made cakes and treats, and should you wish to celebrate a win or commiserate over a defeat, you can enjoy a cold beer, a glass of wine or maybe even a relaxing G&T.
Upstairs there is a multi-functional social area, where post-match meals, club functions and some social activities are held.
With the exception of a few paid essential management roles, the club is still run entirely by volunteers with the coaches, rink stewards, bar and restaurant staff, maintenance, and committee members all devoting their time for free.
The life of any club centres around its members and more so than ever, bowls is becoming a sport that is gaining interest from the younger generations. With this in mind, there is now an enthusiastic junior section for youngsters (aged eight to eighteen) who can join the club for a nominal annual subscription. Each Saturday afternoon, we operate a junior’s club and for a small weekly fee juniors will be given coaching sessions enabling them to enjoy our great sport. Many of our ‘juniors’ have progressed and now play for the club in senior competitions and leagues. One such member, Sian Honnor, was attracted to the game early in her life, playing in carpet bowls matches alongside her grandparents. Sian started as a junior member and competed at the Junior Commonwealth Games for England in 2004. Sian has since won numerous titles including the English National Indoor Bowls Women’s Singles and the National Under 25 Singles twice. She also led Team England to Gold at both the 2014 & 2022 Commonwealth Games, picking up 2 bronze medals in between.
The club prides itself on its inclusivity. Ample free on-site parking enables easy access to the club, but for non-drivers the club is sited on a main bus route and only a 12-minute walk from Whitstable railway station. There are also special aids available for members who find bending or lifting difficult, and we even have a specially designed wheelchair.
No longer considered a male dominated sport, bowls can be enjoyed by all; men and women, irrespective of age or ability, can all compete on equal terms.
The club has over many years competed in the Kent League and enters many teams into competitions on a local, county and national level.
The sport is always evolving and we are pleased to say that from the winter season of 2045/25, The Oyster Bowls Club will compete in the newly formed Kent Invicta Triples League (KITL), with men, ladies and mixed teams representing the club against other Kent teams. https://kentinvictatriples.co.uk
One of the club’s biggest achievements in recent times was our Ladies Team winning the UK National Yetton Plate Championship, at Nottingham, in April 2023. We’ve come a long way since those early days!
Oyster Indoor Bowls Club
The Harbour
Whitstable
CT5 1AB
