Notes on the History of Uckfield Bowls Club

By: Peter Cameron-Waller, Club President

The Formation of the Club

It is worthy of mention at the outset that the site of the bowls green was originally the walled kitchen garden belonging to Grants Hill House, a substantial building set in its own extensive grounds and previously owned by Ian and Susan Maxwell-Scott. They in turn were friends of the infamous Lord Lucan and it was the last place that he was known to be alive prior to his disappearance following the murder of his children’s nanny. Over the years there have been extensive investigations of the area as a result of speculation that his remains might be present.

The property eventually came into the ownership of Wealden District Council through a blight order.

On 8th June 1982 Mr Mike Strutt, Principal Architect of Wealden District Council, attended a meeting of the Recreation and Environment Committee of Uckfield Town Council to gauge what support there might be for the creation of a bowls green as a joint project between the two Councils. Cllr John Haffenden was the Chair of that committee which was also attended by the then Mayor, Cllr Sam Pollington. Mr Strutt explained that the new sheltered housing at Grants Hill House was nearing completion and that there was an area of land surplus to requirements which would accommodate a bowls green. ......Read More