Portland Victoria Bowling Club. England

Portland Victoria Bowling Club has been in existence since 1911 at our home in Victoria Gardens in the village of Fortuneswell. The clubhouse was originally built around the turn of the century and was a small conservatory for those wishing to meet. In the 1980's the top floor of the building was extended and a small Kitchen installed. We have slowly upgraded the fixtures and fittings over the past few years as funds become available to us. Mainly with generous help from our members, Portland Town Council and the Isle and Royal Manor of Portland's Court Leet. 

In 2011, We celebrated our 100 Year Centenary. See Here for the Local news report.

As one of the smallest Bowls clubs in the country, with one of the smallest authorised playing Green's, the club is run entirely by volunteers. A small team of dedicated members keep the playing green in tip-top condition and it has had many compliments by visiting teams. The club always welcomes new applications from prospective new members and we are on hand to teach new members how to play.

Each year, the club has an ‘Open’ weekend to encourage members of the public to come and have a go at this increasingly popular sport. On occasions, we also have an ‘Open’ weekend, as part of the National ‘Bowls England Big Weekend’ which aims to encourage participation in the accessible sport of Bowls.

Not only is the sport a ‘Low impact’ sport, but it is also a very sociable sport. The friendships you make, not only at the club itself, but also from members of visiting clubs, can last a lifetime.

A sport for old people? Well, there is a misconception to this adage. Nationally, there are many younger players who play Bowls. Here at Portland Victoria Bowling Club, our youngest member ‘Dean Ballard’ reached the National Finals with his Men’s Junior Pairs partner ‘James Roe’ from Dorchester BC. Both representing Dorset in 2024 at the finals in Leamington Spa.

All of the funds received by the club go into maintaining the club and the playing green. We are currently fundraising separately to purchase a new Lawn Mower after successfully purchasing a club Defibrillator thanks to a generous donation from one of our members in 2025.