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.

Bideford, Westleigh, Appledore and Fairy Cross

11.3.1955 skittles1

Winners of the Bideford and District Skittles League President’s Cup are the Penpushers, a Bideford side, who beat Westleigh at the Swan Inn, Bideford, last week.
The team is: Charlie Mountjoy, Clarrie Metherell, Trevor Beer, John Cleverdon, Ken Brend, Bob Whitefield.
Westleigh put up a strong fight. Their team was: Cyril Shaxton, Bert Gibbons, Henry Martin, Leonard Poole, Clifford Gillard, Alan Dart.
Appledore British Legion ‘A’ go forward to the final of the Starkey Cup. Their team was: William Headon, Charlie Daniel, John Bailey, Jack Fowler, Bobby Bailey, Dave Hocking.
Fairy Cross were the winners of this area final last year but this time found the Fishermen's net too big for them. Left to right - Jack Wickett, Eric Headon, George Bailey, Fred Walter, Jack Walter and Richard Headon.

11.3.1955 skittles2

11.3.1955 skittles3

The full Gazette article is dated 11 March 1955

Local Schools Meet In Sporting Rivalry

Friendly rivalry was keen last week when Bideford and Torrington County Secondary Schools met in football and netball games.

The soccer score of 7-0 to Bideford was flattering, the game being closer than the margin suggests.
Bideford County Secondary School football team: Michael Eastman, Kenneth Hocking, Dennis Pengelly, David Hare, Paul Ashby-Crane, John Lockyer, Keith Sowden, Christopher Sowden, Brian Fishleigh, Kevin Naylor, Tony Beer.
Torrington – Christopher Jeffery, Rodney Nancekevell, Jeffery Rookes, Christopher Copp, Melvin Lee, Desmond Nancekevell, John Bryant, Lesley Hutchings, Arthur Jones, Gordon Glover, Melvin Wheeler.
Full Gazette article is dated 19 February 1960

19.2.1960 Friendly rivalry football1

Green Shield Sponsored Tennis

Ten years old Patricia Johnson, of Westward Ho! described as an extremely promising players, get instruction from coach Bob Clarke during a session at Edgehill College.

Local youngsters who show an aptitude for tennis – and who perhaps have hopes of one day making the Wimbledon scene – get an opportunity during term time of improving their early technique by attending a series of local coaching courses run by Mr Bob Clarke, of Appledore.
The scheme has been in operation now for eight years, with an average of 45 youngsters taking part each year. Every youngster makes a contribution towards the cost and next term Mr Clarke will have the assistance of professional Michael Cole, at present coaching at Millfield School.
The Green Shield sponsored coaching course for beginners – a completely separate undertaking – will be held during the Easter holidays.
The Gazette article is dated 27 February 1976