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.

Team ages range from 15 to 80

Penpushers, representing Bideford and District Skittles League, won the Devon County skittles championship at Exeter.

Skippered by Mr Clarrie Metherell, who just over a week earlier topped the poll at his first bid in a municipal election at Bideford, the team’s age range is from 15 to 80!

The octogenarian is that ever-green enthusiast of local skittles, Mr John P Cleverdon, of Northam, and the 15 year old is Graham Mountjoy whose father, Mr Charlie Mountjoy, is also a Penpusher of many years play. The team included two reserves as the competition was for teams of eight instead of six as locally.

What makes the victory all the more satisfying is that the Bideford skittlers were playing under different alley conditions to those applying in this area. There was a wide-set diamond of smaller pins and the balls were required to strike a pitch-board to count. This accounted for what would be very low scores. For instance skipper Metherell started the final throw with a score of one, although he got a 12-spare later in the game. J P Cleverdon left his spare for the last rub but then put the ball right through. Some players scored nothing on a visit to the alley including Rodney Pett.

The players were – Clarrie Metherell, John Cleverdon, Rodney Pett, Graham Mountjoy, Roy Fisher, Charlie Mountjoy, Trevor Beer and Ken Brend.

Gazette article dated 24 May 1963

Chess – Their Bridge Over The Years

Chess bridges a gap of over 80 years

in the ages of these two Bideford enthusiasts, seen concentrating on their weekly game to which they both eagerly look forward.

As his opponent and mentor in the game 10 year old Trevor Cooper, son of Dr and Mrs R A Cooper, of Limers Lane, Northam, has 91 year old Mr T Goaman, of Greenbanks, Chanters Lane, Bideford, hon. freeman of Bideford and former Mayor.

They were brought together when Alderman Mrs Muriel Cox, of Woodside, First Raleigh, a daughter of Mr Goaman, heard of Trevor’s eager search for someone to teach him the game. He had taught himself the names of the pieces, and the moves, and had reached the stage when he needed practice playing. Mrs Cox was delighted for him to come along for some games.

Thursday afternoon is chess afternoon at Woodside and it so happened that Trevor’s visits coincided with those of Mr Goaman to have tea with his daughter. It was not long before the boy found himself with a distinguished and learned opponent who has enjoyed chess over a long lifetime and who also taught the game to his alderman daughter when she was ten.

“They simply adore it,” says Mrs Cox. “The games have become quite a highlight of their week.”

Gazette article dated 24 January 1964

Unbeaten Run By Northam

A recent picture of Northam football team,

who on Saturday extended their unbeaten run in North Devon Junior Div. Two to six games.

The players are: Roy Bright, Reg Anstis, Chris Hallett, Tony Purnell, Roger Slocombe, and trainer Mr Ron Jewell, Jock Miller, John Tanton, Colin Taylor, Tony Jeffery, John Brimacombe, Ron Anstis and mascot, Peter Lawrence.

Gazette article dated 22 October 1965