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.

Two tangle at a Bideford judo class for toddlers

In the picture are Jacqueline Francis and Keith Rockey.

First support for the new North Devon Judo Academy has been so strong that the man behind it, greengrocer Mervyn Francis, has had to start a search for bigger premises. Mr Francis was instrumental in introducing judo to North Devon nine years ago, and is the area's leading exponent with a black belt and two dans. There were four other black belts in North Devon - Peter Wrey, Bob Pearson, Tommy Baker and R Reinstorff.

Another tiny tot being taught to tumble still has three years to go before he can join the academy. He is Stephen Screech, whose father is Shamwickshire Rovers' goalkeeper, Alan Screech.

Gazette article dated 13 May 1966

The golf course has made the place

Golfers who have played there will agree the Royal North Devon Golf Club’s

course at Westward Ho! where the Devon Golf Union’s meeting takes place next week and in connection with which “The Western Morning News” Cup is being competed for – is different from others. The non-golfer is struck by the fact that whereas at newer seaside resorts the golf course is but often an artificially made attraction, provided because visitors require a course, at Westward Ho! it is the golf course which has made the place. Westward Ho! is the oldest seaside course in England, and it has been succinctly described as ‘difficult but eminently fair’. It is famous for the variety of its holes and is a triumph of the skilful combination of nature and art.

Hole 1 (430 yards) – Over the burn out into the flat country in a direct line towards the Pebble Ridge in the distance, a dry ditch running along the right, and with a narrow opening to the green (Bogey 5).

Hole 18 (410 yards) – This is a hole which has witnessed some exciting finishes. The green is a perfect one, but the ditch over which one drove the first shot of the round must be crossed again, and lies right in front of the green, terrifyingly close. The long handled rakes close by are a reminder that balls have a habit of dropping into the water here. A hold that is a test for nerves (Bogey 5).

Gazette article dated May 1923

Milk Factory Social Club Snooker Challenge

At a well attended social evening, held at Torridge Vale Social Club,

in South Street, Torrington, the Sandford Cup was presented by Mr T R Sandford, a director of the Company, and President of the Social Club, to the Roller Room snooker team, winners in an inter-department snooker competition. The team consisted of Messrs V Hawke, A Woods, C Austin, D Short, V Steer and T Saltearn.

Left to right – Messrs D Short, V Steer, P Oke, C Austin, L Baker, R M Boyer, W Stacey, T R Sandford, K P Dowding, J Skinner, R Williams, R Osborne, S Northmoor, R Bealey, A Woods, F Morris, G Yendole, W Stead, D Dymond, A Short, V Ayre, A Seager, K Adams, R Draydon, S Tomkins, Crowle, H Cotton, W Ellacott, I Klith, J Gerry, V Hawke

Each year teams from the various departments of the Torridge Vale Dairies compete in the competition, which is run on a league basis. Eight teams took part this year. Runners-up to the Roller Room were the Engine Room, last year’s winners.

At the prize-giving social the Roller Room played the Engine Room in a friendly challenge match, the prizes being cigarettes. The match was won by the Roller Room. When he handed over to the winners the cup which he gave to the club for snooker competition three years ago, the President said he was glad to see it changing hands between the teams from year to year.

At the end of the evening the cup was filled and passed round for a toast.

The future looks bright for the social club. Membership increased to 86 this year from 60 last year.

The picture shows members of the club, obviously enjoying themselves judging by the happy expressions of their faces.

Gazette article dated 2 December 1955