Joe Smith 1932-2026
When we visited Woodingdean at the beginning of May, we heard that Joe Smith had passed away at the grand old age of 94 years.
To many members, hearing the passing away of someone from another club is regrettably but not greatly significant.
Joe was a retired Police officer who had pounded the beat in Brighton throughout his working life. He had been a member of Woodingdean BC for many years serving not only as a highly skilled bowler with County honours but also as Club Captain, Chairman, President, etc.
What made Joe stand out was his sense of fairness, honesty and support for fellow bowlers.
In the dark days of the early 1980s, West Hoathly was ejected from membership of Sussex County Bowls Association for the heinous crime of appointing a lady secretary; this was against County rules. With the exception of Woodingdean and Winsdlesham, every club in the County voted against West Hoathly. Joe made a long and impassioned appeal on our behalf claiming that we were being treated unfairly and that our ejection was completely against the spirit of the game.
We lost the vote and were excluded for several years until we appointed a male secretary, not bowing down to the County but more a fact of life of one person retiring & being replaced by another.
When Dai was still with us, he never missed the opportunity of reminding anyone and everyone of Joe’s strong defence of West Hoathly.
This all happened many years ago and there are not many of us left who can remember this dreadful saga but it is worthy of not being forgotten by West Hoathly.
Joe’s funeral The Downs Crematorium, in Brighton at 11.00am on 21st May.
Thank you Joe and Rest in Peace.