

Current News
FAMOUS VISITORS
A VISIT TO THE CLUB BY THE FAMOUS CHELSEA PENSIONERS
The Club was proud to be hosts to the wonderful Chelsea Pensioners who visited the Club to have a game of bowls. A former member of Ventnor, Mike Tanser, was instrumental in organizing the visit, and what a success it was. Good press coverage by the County Press and the Observer was given to the event which was well attended by members and guests. It felt like there were a million photos taken, and they were very willing and happy for that to happen. On arrival a grand buffet was enjoyed before the game of bowls between the pensioners and the Club, despite the freezing June weather! All in all, an Historic, memorable and happy occasion for the Club.
THE CLUB GOES FROM STRENGHT TO STRENGTH
Despites all the normal goings and comings, the Club retains a good membership. We hope to still field 4 mens teams in the '26 season and several ladies teams. The men had a good showing in the Mens County Competions with a record number in entries in the various catagories. As mentioned before, our Club colours are admired by all and have proved very popular with the members. Don't forget you can purchase an extra shirt through the Club.
DO IT
Ventnor Bowling Club is now registered with easyfundraising, which means you can raise FREE donations
for us every time you shop online. Over 7,000 brands will donate to us when you use easyfundraising
to shop with them – at no extra cost to yourself!
These donations really mount up and make a BIG difference to us, so we’d really appreciate it if you could
take a moment to sign up and support us. It’s completely FREE and only takes a moment.
You can find our easyfundraising page at https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/ventnor-bowling-club
'TASTER DAYS'
If you are here and not a member or a player yet, this may well interest you. The Club runs a couple of 'taster days' through the summer in various forms. Just contact the club for the 2026 dates.
ITS A BUSY ONE!
We are now right at the end of the season and leagues are being finalised. The A team have had an uphill battle again this year to maintain our spot in the 1st division, and up to now have had a mixed bag of results.. The only team shining is the Mens 'B' team who riding high in the mix at the top of division 2 - well done!. All team positions can be seen on the IOW Bowls website - link on our front page..
The inter club competitions are coming to the final some surprising results involving the favourites! and as predicted, a flurry of new faces will probably appear on the Honours list at the end of the year. Don't forget Finals weekend is the 12th and 13th September.
Our tourist match's are under way although the weather is not being kind at the moment and we have had to cancel 2 of them already due to storms and rain. Please honour your stewards duties again for 2026 season. We fell down on club members not turning up to do their spots and apart from a bad impression on themselves, its not good for the club. We have to have someone on duty to keep within the position of the Councils rules about offering services to the public. SO PLEASE TURN UP!
THE GREEN is without doubt the envy of so many! The winter rota is proving that it really does give results for the Summer season.
"Do you mind if I roll up your green and take it home with me?" Is one frequent remark heard from visiting players so be proud! There are a few greens you would not want to be your home ground, not mentioning Ryde of course.
NEW PICS FOR WEBSITE
If any members have pics that are good quality sharp images that they would like to be included on the website, please contact Richard. Hopefully we will be able to get some good ones on finals day, weather permitting! especially as Richard has been knocked out of everything and will have nothing to do Finals weekend except take photos!
TOURIST MATCH TALK
We will be doing a small report on all Tourist matches reminding the participating players what went on and letting non attendees an idea what they missed. Below are this years reports which will be here till next season.
Fleet Social Bowls Club
Fleet bring it once again! A second visit by Fleet social, once again came early in the season as last year which was late April.
This time tho' they gave Ventnor a proper thumping with a score of 113 to 79! The rinks were pretty even apart from 3 of Ventnor's the took the brunt of the points against. However, we still had a winning rink of Julie Thorn, Colin Beavis and Steve gallop. A touch of irony, Colin Beavis was on the winning rink last year! We should mention the weather was fantastic again for their visit and the green was in remarkable condition for this time of the year - thanks to Ben Liffen the Greenkeeper and his band of helpers putting in time during the Winter.
Thanks to all the various helpers with the Bar, Raffle and general duties to making it a very successful 1st Tourist match of the year.
Fleet United Bowls Club
Oh Dear! Well after some fantastic weather during the week, on the Sunday the heavens decided to open up and not stop. After some deliberation with the Fleet Club, it was decided to cancel the match as its no fun in the rain!
West End Bowls Club Southampton
Deja Vue! its the same 'ol story, rain stopped play, or rather it really did not get going as it was cancelled due to the heavy rain. Its getting to be a habit this rain - after all, it is Flamin' June.
Heyford Bowls Club
Quelle Suprise! It didn't rain!. On a warm sunny day, the green was full with 7 rinks being played on and a good many supporters of the visiting club watching. Unfortunately for them, their club Heyford went down 103 to Ventnor's 124 shots. Ventnor's best rink was Scott Pilgrim, Richard Evans, Rowan Baylis and Shelia Arnott - nice to see some new faces taking the honours. Special thanks to Johnny Walker for doing the bar and the teas and near on everything!
Yatley Bowls Club
Fine weather prevailed for us once again this late June Sunday, and once again the green was full once again with 7 rinks being played on. It was quite a battle with several rinks losing and winning by a high margin but the victors were Yatley winning by just one shot!!!!!. Yatley 89 Ventnor 88!. As usual, several club mementoes were exchanged by the Presidents and a good raffle was organized by Tanya Rinaldi. Ventnor's best rink this time was won by Jan Bentley, Paul Palmer, Colin Nigh and John Ashpole. Special thanks to John Walker
who got lumbered with the bar and the teas and everything else once again helped by Cherie.
Plymouth Retired Civil Servants B. C.
Fine weather welcomed this club to our brilliant green on Wednesday. Six rinks filled the green and full sunshine was enjoyed in a great atmosphere. Unfortunately, for the visiting team, Ventnor managed one of our best results this year, smashing the visitors 120 to 76 points! Our top rink this time was Steve gallop, John Mulkern, Paul Marfleet ( the Marph ) and Jan Bentley. As usual a fine raffle was organized by Tanya Rinaldi and the teas were run by Keith and Rhonda Bishop, Maurice Kane and Cherie Earle. Good 'ol Johnny Walker ran the bar as usual. Thanks to anyone I have missed out. The visitors praised the greens condition and organised
a little song at the end of their visit.
Writtle Bowling Club
It couldn't last could it!. Started off in great weather but the Gods turned against us and we only managed 14 ends due to rain!. One consolation for the visitors was a dead draw @ 66 points each, which was well received by all. Our trickiest rink, number 1, was our highest scoring rink again and comprised of Roger Smith, Susan White, Tony Morgan and Colin Nigh ( he keeps doing it! ).. Once again the visitors were impressed with our green. Special thanks to all who helped make the day smooth running and enjoyable for all who took part in supporting the Club.
Newbury Bowling Club
The weather was kind again today and this match was a triples for a change. But this time Ventnor took a hammering, losing the match 119 points to 81. We did produce a best rink Jess Whitewood, Ben Scutt and Shelia Arnot - well done you three. Thanks to Jess and Tayna for the teas and Marph and Johnny Walker for the bar plus Tanya again for doing the raffle. There's a lot of work goes into running these matches smoothly so a big shout to ALL who are involved.
Woolston and District Bowling Club
Well this ones different. The mixed format turned out to be men only from this club but Ventnor fielded a mixed team. And so the beer began, sorry, I meant Match or did I mean beer? Woolston were in high spirits and the bar was opened at 11.30 a.m. to an enthusiastic and lively and thirsty team. A match was played in a great enthusiastic way - but not quiet! Another phenomime we finished in a draw again 98 - 98 . And another strange thing, our best rink was the dodgy rink 1, once again, with Ian Crombie, Susan White, Scott Pilgrim and Derek Venier taking the honours. The Visitors celebrated as though winning the World Cup and the Bar was nearly drunk dry. Three Cheers for John Walker and helpers who kept the beer flowing. The usual thanks to everybody that helped and contributed to the day. I think the bar is closed now.
ALL LEAGUE RESULTS, TABLES, & COUNTY MATCH RESULTS -
For all results and info, please click here - https://www.bowlsisleofwight.com

Tourist Matches 2026
These are the scheduled Tourist matches for 2026 - subject to change
All start times are 2pm unless stated otherwise
Ventnor plays in Club tops and navy bottoms for all matches
Sunday April 19th
Fleet Social Bowls Club 6 Mixed Triples
SPONSORED BY: Keith & Rhonda Bishop
Sunday May 10th
Fleet United 4 Mixed Triples
SPONSORED BY: Barry Howes in memory of Mary
Wednesday 3rd June
West End BC Southampton 7 Mixed
SPONSORED BY: Ben Liffen
Thursday 11th June 13.30 start
Chelsea Pensioners 6 Mixed
SPONSORED BY: John & Sylvie Ashpole
Tuesday June 16th 1p.m. start Heyford Bowls Club 6 Mixed
SPONSORED BY: Roger Balment
Sunday June 28th
Yately Bowls Club 7 Mixed
SPONSORED BY: Martin Hatton & Trevor Hooley
Wednesday 26th August .
Plymouth Retired Civil Servants BC 6 Mixed
SPONSORED BY: Paul Palmer
Wednesday 2nd September
Writtle BC 6 Mixed
SPONSORED BY: Rose Holmes in memory of Geoff
Friday September 4th
Newbury BC 6 Mixed
SPONSORED BY: Chris & Cherie Earle
Sunday September 6th 13.30 start
Woolston & District BC 6 mixed
SPONSORED BY: In memory of Tony Hornby
Saturday September 19th 13.30 start
United Services BC Barnstable 6 Triples
SPONSORED BY: Christine and Maurice Kane
Sunday September 27th 13.30 start
Saltdean Bowls Club 7 Mixed
SPONSORED BY: Rowan Bayliss
SPONSORS
Our Tourist Matches are kindly sponsored by
Members of the Bowling Club and Sponsor Hub
OUR SPONSOR HUB
These businesss sponsor our Website
Please support them
Bonchurch Garage
LFS Independent Wealth Management
Geoff Leather Independent Funeral Operators
If you wish to become a sponsor - please contact the club for details
Dates for your Diary 2026
THE GREEN OFFICIAL OPENING DAY
Sunday 12th April
Start @ 13.30
There will be a free drink and buffet served at 16.00
CLUB OPEN DAY
Sunday 17th May 10.00 - 4.00pm.
.
VENTNOR ROYAL BRITISH LEGION
Sunday 31st May
14.00 start
SPONSORED BY:
MEN'S COUNTY SENIOR 4'S COMPETITION
SEMI-FINAL - 4 Rinks
MONDAY 22nd June 18.00
MEN'S COUNTY PAIRS COMPETITION
SEMI-FINALS- - 2 RINKS
TUESDAY 30th June 18.00
MEN'S COUNTY VETERANS COMPETITION
6 RINKS
THURSDAY 2nd July 13.30
LADIES COUNTY 4'S
SEMI-FINALS - 2 RINKS
FRIDAY 3rd July 18.00
CLUB MIXED TRIPLES
Sunday 26th July - ALL DAY
10.am start
MEN V LADIES
Sunday 12th July
14.00 start
MEN'S AND LADIES COUNTY FINALS
SATURDAY 18th / SUNDAY 19th July
ALL DAY AT SHANKLIN B.C.
CAPTAIN V PRESIDENT
Sunday 16th August
14.00 start
CLUB FINALS WEEKEND
Saturday 12th & Sunday 13th September
CLOSING OF THE GREEN
September TBA
PRESENTATION DINNER
Held at the Club as last year
21st November TBC
