Tinsley Green World Marbles Championships

Where: Tinsley Green, Sussex - the Greyhound Inn, Radford Road
When: Good Friday
Time: 10 am-5.30pm

 

Marbles 2013

The Greyhound pub at Tinsley Green hosts an annual competition on Good Friday attracting players from all over the world. Marbles is an ancient and skilled game in which competitors aim to knock 49 marbles from a marked circle using their own “tolley” (another marble); two teams of six players take part in each heat and the winning team is the one whose tolley/s stay in until the end (you can probably tell I’m no expert…it’s probably best to check up the rules at the event). The Greyhound has a purpose built platform for the championship which dates back in its current form to the 1930s, though the tradition of a competition here reputedly goes back to Elizabethan times. Expect plenty of unfamiliar technical terms and a serious attitude to the game along with fancy dress and plenty of fun. Marbles of all sizes and colours are on sale at the event.

Helpful Hints

If you want to take part it’s best to register in advance as numbers are limited.

In 2025 the Championships should be held on Friday April 18th. The website link below is temporarily unavailable but will hopefully be fixed soon. Follow the Facebook below link for updates.

Click here for the pub website : https://greyhoundtinsleygreen.co.uk/

and here for the event Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/britishmarbles/

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