Sport

Christmas Eve at the Front

An interesting letter has just been received by Mrs Packer, of Broadclyst, from her husband, Corpl Packer of A Company, 1st Battalion Devonshire Regiment, who is serving with the Expeditionary Force in Northern France. In the course of a letter he describes a remarkable incident which occurred on Christmas Eve between the British and German trenches.

And then beat Cornwall

The three players seen at the table – Brian Colome, George Harris and Tony Marsh – are well and truly hoisting Bideford’s flag in snooker spheres. A week ago they retained the County Players Number 6 Trophy, defeating Exeter Trevelyans 351 points to 285 in front of a good crowd at Bideford Conservative Club.

The match did not live up to its promise and it was not exciting.

As champions of Devon they played Cornwall in the first round of the Southern Counties Area and won. A great win made possible by two excellent frames by George Harris.

Gazette article dated 14 February 1969

Martini Golf Tournament

25,000-Plus Visitors Expected For June Golf Tournament

At least 25,000 people are expected to visit Torridgeside for the Martini golf tournament being held at the Royal North Devon Golf Club from June 11-14.

Martini themselves are inviting over 2,000 guests to the first major tournament to be held at Westward Ho! for 40 years.

Revealing this to a meeting of Northam District Chamber of Commerce, Mr John Linaker said the event would benefit the whole area. It would attract people who would spend money and he hoped it would stimulate an extension of the local holiday season.

In this tournament of international standing, 130 players in the PGA order of merit in 1974 were eligible to compete and Martini also invited 10 guest players. It was costing in the region of £50,000 to promote, not counting the prize money.

There would be no charge for the general public to follow the tournament – “Martini have never charged at any tournament.” A charge...

Gazette article dated April 1975

Mr and Mrs Mitchell are successful

For nearly four years

the cash prize awaiting the Bideford and District Angling Club member to land the first specimen fish in competition has lain unclaimed. But on Sunday, Mr and Mrs Peter Mitchell, of Northdown Road, Bideford, struck the jackpot together while fishing at Instow.

Peter landed a new club record flounder of 2lb 9oz to win the competition and more than £15 in pool money. And his wife, Pam, hauled in a flounder of exactly 2lb to also top the specimen weight and win nearly £5 in the ladies’ section pool.

Not content with that, Mrs Mitchell also landed a bass of over 5lb and three flounders of more than 1lb a piece – and that enabled her to take second and third places behind her husband in the open competition and first, second and third in the ladies’ section.

Gazette article April 1975