All aboard for Littlehampton's 6.18 to the 19th hole

The 6.18 Club was founded 40 years ago by commuters on the rail service which left London Victoria for Arundel at 6.18pm.

It quickly gained a membership in excess of 30, and also attracted widespread attention from local and national newspapers, and even a West German television channel, which made a film about the quirky English golf club.

Firm friendships had already been established among the commuters even before a friendly challenge between two of them resulted in the first informal golf match being played.

A history of the club written for its 10th anniversary recalls: "the nightly journeys of this happy little band . . . were characterised by cintillating conversation, the occasional hand of solo, frequent glasses of refreshment in the train buffet car and the common bond which drew them all together '” an expensive British Rail season ticket."

Last week nine members celebrated the 40th anniversary by playing a round on the pitch and putt course at Norfolk Gardens, Littlehampton, where it all began back in the 1960s.

Still flourishing

Sadly, there are no commuters among the present-day membership, and the 6.18 service has long disappeared from the timetable, but the club continues to flourish and an anniversary dinner at Littlehampton Golf Club, following last week's match, was attended by 35 members, spouses and partners.