Chelsea Pensioners charm Adastra Bowling Club

On 19th July, 22 members of Adastra Bowling Club travelled to London to play a return match against the Chelsea Pensioners. Last year, in celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the founding of Adastra Bowling Club, the Chelsea Pensioners came to Hassocks. An invitation for a return match was issued to be played on their home green at The Royal Hospital Chelsea, the home of the iconic veterans of the British Army, the Chelsea Pensioners.

Regular tours of the buildings and grounds of the Royal Hospital are conducted for both private groups and public visits, and the group were met by Alan Gill, the Secretary of their Bowls Club and an authorised tour guide. Having showed the visitors around, Alan took them to the Bowling Green on a lawn in front of the famous building. An excellent, friendly match took place, with Adastra winning. They were proud to announce that one of their players was over 90 years old, but Adastra Bowling Club had three players present aged over 90!

The visitors were treated to a meal and then convivial drinks in ‘The Covid Arms’ afterwards, where the Hassocks club presented a generous cheque as a donation. As they were waved off, Adastra Bowling Club promised to return and visit the Chelsea Pensioners again soon.

Adastra Bowling Club is visited by Chelsea Pensioners

By David Reader

Wednesday 20th July will live long in the memories of the members of Adastra Bowling Club following the visit of the Royal Hospital Chelsea (Chelsea Pensioners). They arrived at Hassocks Parish Council offices having travelled from London by luxury coach. They disembarked and clothed themselves in their famous scarlet tunics and marched at ‘pensioners’ pace’ to the bowling green.

A number of Hassocks residents turned out to watch them and gave them loud applause as they marched past them. They were warmly welcomed by the Adastra Bowling Club president Barbara Hornby and members of the club. After a photo, they were served with tea and biscuits before changing into their bowling attire. The gentlemen’s changing room inside the Pavilion looked quite spectacular with the scarlet tunics neatly placed on their own wooden clothes hangers.

The game result was an honourable draw and the pensioners also congratulated the green keepers for such a wonderful surface. Following the game, a few drinks were consumed and quite a good social atmosphere created. The 53 portions of fish and chips arrived on time thanks to the hard work of Ilker and all his staff at Hassocks Fish & Chips and the visitors said how much they had enjoyed their day out in sunny Hassocks.

A cheque for £200 was donated to the Royal Hospital Charity, which was gratefully received. After a very enjoyable day, they returned to London, but not before they issued an invitation to Adastra Bowling Club to visit the Royal Hospital on a date to be arranged in 2023.