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.

Northam’s leisure centre for the over-60s will open, it is hoped early in May.

Work on transforming what was Miss Elizabeth Thorold’s School in the Square is going ahead with Urban Council staff doing the decorations. Gas heaters have to be fitted in each of the three rooms. Although second-hand, they have had little use.

There is a good kitchen from which, initially, voluntary helpers will serve light refreshments.

But, said the chairman (Mr E C Beadle) it is hoped that ultimately, with RWVS help, a luncheon club will be formed.

Almost £400 has been given by various people and organisation to furnish the centre. There have been a number of contributions of £15, which sum buys special easy chairs.

Other officers are Mrs E Kingdon, Mr D J Scott, Mr T W Markham. A management committee will be formed.

Gazette article dated 30 March 1972

Appledore Redwings Off To Championships

Seven Appeldore-based members of the North Devon Yacht Club

are participating in the national Redwing championships at Looe next week.

They are Messrs Benny Evans, a representative of the Redwing class on the Yacht Club committee, Ted Lamey, Peter Brannam, Richard Storer, John Baker and Arthur and Vernon Harris. Only Messrs Storer and Brannam have taken part in previous championships.

Altogether about 30 local enthusiasts will be at Looe. Many are staying in caravans.

As well as being an enjoyable sporting occasion it is expected to provide valuable experience.

Gazette article dated 30 August 1963

New Colour by Express

Torrington Darts League

The passenger trains have stopped but there was no stopping Railway Hotel in their opening game of Torrington Darts League when they visited Black Swan and changed the home team’s colour with a double whitewash.

In the game Laurie Cudmore scored the season’s first hat-trick, and other scorers were Vernon Steer, John Lawrence and Tony Smithson.

League champions Temperance Eight were also on form. They beat the Rook Shooters 5-1, dropping a point in the foursomes when T Beer scored a consolation double. Brian Sussex bagged two winners for the Temperance Eight and went out in one leg on 110.

Top team last term, the Union Inn, Stibb Cross, trounced the Buckingham Arms 5-1, Austin Broad landing four winners for them.

Top scores: 153 E Bond; 140 S Blackmore, M Cloak (3) also 2x100; A Mills also 112, 100, G Stevens, also 100, D Ayre also 2x 100, W Cooke also 100; 136, E Short; 133, 121, J Soby; 133, 2x100, T Durk; 133, C Slade; 132, G Oke and G Wheeler; 125, 121, 120, D Courtney; 125, D Bailey; 121, 100, V Steer; 120, 100, B Weeks, F Raymont; 110, B Sussex.

Division A – sixes; Union Inn 3, Buckingham Arms 0 (fours 2-1); Black Swan 0, Railway Hotel 3 (0-3); Rams Head 2, Bell Inn 1 (1-2); Hotspots 2, Newcomers 1 (2-1); West of England 2, Clinton Arms 1 (1-2);

Division B – Rook Shooters 0, Temperance Eight 3 (1-2); Globe Inn 2, Royal Oak 1 (2-1); Newmarket Hotel 2, Swans 1 (3-0); New Inn 3, Hunters Unapproachables 0 (3-0); Hornets 1, Castaways 2 (1-2).

Gazette article dated 15 October 1965