Crowning ceremony follows School sports

Bideford East-the-Water Juvenile Queen was crowned at Pollyfield on Monday afternoon at a ceremony organised by the Community Association at the conclusion of East-the-Water School annual sports, but the youngest of her eight attendant Princesses – 7 years old Barbara Osborne, of 44 Torrington Street – was absent.

The Queen and her retinue will form a tableau entry for Bideford Carnival on August 15th, and Barabara will be well enough to take her place.

Eleven years old Angela Vanstone, of 1 Avon Road, was elected Queen by her fellow pupils and accompanying her will be; Margaret Day,

Sixteen-year-old Brian Ashley

son of Mr and Mrs L A Ashley, of 12 Potacre Street, Torrington, and three friends set off on a trip on the Torridge near Halfpenny Bridge, Weare Giffard, in a 10-foot rowing outboard boat which Brian himself designed and built.

Behind the launching of the Blue Tarka, as the boat is called, there is a story of hard work and some adventure.

Early in January, when he launched his boat and started, the maiden voyage at a stretch of water near St Giles, he had a mishap, accidently putting his foot through the bottom of the

Boys Win Hockey on the Sands Challenge

This game of hockey between the girls and boys of the Strand School of Dancing, Bideford, played last Sunday on Westward Ho! beach, originated from a challenge which was made a few months ago.

Miss Ann Thurston, who runs the school, was teaching a boy a rather intricate dancing step and a remark was made to the effect that girls learnt to dance more quickly. ‘I’d like to see you on a rugby field’ was the answer’.....

The full Gazette article is dated 20 February 1959

Team walked off

The statement said that the referee, Sergeant C. J. Griffin, of the R.A.S.C., who took the match in the absence of an appointed referee, reported that there was no dispute until the last half-minute of play when the captain called the remainder of the side off the field of play. 

The Shebbear captain, W. Leverton, admitted responsibility for the team leaving the field. 

Gazette article dated 21 November 1958

Bideford County Secondary School netball practice in the playground

This team won the junior section of the North Devon Netball rally, beating Ilfracombe Grammar School in the final, 7-4.

Left to right: Dilys Owen, Juanita Gabala, Frances West, Jacqueline France, Catherine Davenport, Elizabeth Pidler and Carol Bushby.

Gazette article dated 20 February 1959

The Robins win

Pictured are the players who have provided Bideford's first team squad in their 1971-72 championship season.

They are: John Mock, Colin Rowe, Steve Snell, Trevor Burnell, Russell Petersen, Derek May, Trevor Morris, Micky Hillson, David Ainscough, Trevor Anthony, Ben Murphy, Peter Druce, John Gauntlett, Brent Howard.

Gazette article dated 19 May 1972

Bideford Grammar School Pupils

Two Bideford boys are to compete in the Harry Young’s Boys’ Snooker Championships of Great Britain.

The boys are Ron Shute, son of Mr and Mrs Reg Shute, of 38 Northview Avenue, and Stephen Schiller, son of Mr and Mrs C H Schiller, of 7 Milton Place. They are pupils at Bideford Grammar School.

The two play at Bideford Liberal Club. Both like other sports. Stephen plays skittles for the Liberal Club and Ron is an inside-forward with Appledore Football Club.

Gazette article dated 6 March 1964

They don’t know it yet 

but Bideford and District Angling Club are about to acquire a new member. Aspiring angler Charlotte Donaldson, 7, accompanied her two brothers when they fished in a club competition on Sunday from Bideford Quay.

It was the first time that she had been fishing – but it turned out to be the day she caught her first fish. And that made Charlotte determined more than ever to join her brothers as a member of the Bideford club.

Gazette article dated 4 January 1974

Encourage Young Players Call

Members of Northam Golf Club were asked to do all they could to encourage junior golf by Mr. A.J. Garland at the Club’s annual dinner at the Church Hall on Saturday.

Mr. Garland was responding to the toast of the “Royal North Devon Golf Club,” of which he is secretary.

At a recent meeting of the Devon Golf Club Union, added Mr. Garland, its President had spoken of the need to foster junior golf in the county. The Royal North Devon Club had at the moment twenty-two junior members, but he considered their standard of play

New Racing Four for Ladies’ Rowing Club

Endeavours over the past four years by Bideford and District Ladies’ Rowing Club to raise money for the purchase of a new racing four were brought to triumphant fulfilment on Saturday evening when the new boat was christened and launched from Bideford river bank in the presence of a large crowd of supporters and friends.

The new boat cost £233. It is the first the club has ever purchased. Funds have been raised by an appeal and the organising of dances and various other social functions.

The chairman of the club (Miss M.

Sea Cadet ‘combined operation’

A 12s, 6d rod and line, a half-inch hook, a piece of bacon rind, and a paddle.

Hardly a keen fisherman’s idea of good equipment. But it landed an 8lb bass from the river Torridge for a Bridgwater visitor this week. The fish was caught by Mr Alan Smith , a sub-Lieut. in the Bridgwater unit of the Sea Cadets and a former member of the Bideford unit.

Sub-Lt Smith and two Bridgwater cadets, R Mellows and J Rockett, have been holidaying and training for several days on Bideford Sea Cadets’ training ship Bideford, moored alongside the

Mixed Fortunes 

It has been a season of mixed fortune for Torrington A.F.C.’s Exeter and District League side pictured above before the kick-off at Saturday’s game with Clyst Valley which they were unfortunate to lose by the odd goal of five. 

From left to right the team is: Back row – R. Mayo (who is also secretary of the Club), I. Vodden, D. Evans, J. Ramsden, M. Drew, A. Hutchings (capt.), L. Rogers (Chairman of Torrington A.F.C.) : Front row – C.Kidwell, D. Tapscott, D. Weeks, F. A. Hutchings, M. Green. 

Gazette article dated 26 November 1954

Playing members of Bideford and District Cricket Club

are photographed with their new scoreboard, the gift of Mr John R Gillespie, manager of the Westward Ho! Holiday Centre.

The new scoreboard is Mr Gillespie’s answer to the difficulties which hitherto faced visitors and spectators generally who, unless, they asked endless questions, had little idea of the state of the game or even the names of the teams playing.

Those appearing in the photograph are: Mr J R Gillespie, Messrs. A Robinson, A Bidgood, R Parsons, Ray Bird, P Hawke, R Waldon, S Pidler, G Waldon, S Young, R Mills, R

New strip for a new season in a new league…

and Bideford Blues , busily preparing for their baptism in North Devon’s Junior Division One, find time to pause for a photograph. A memoir, like the runners-up plaques displayed, of their soccer return last season when they won promotion. Average age of the side is just 19.

Photographed are: Dave Butler, Bob Arnold, Ken Taylor, Richard Hookway, Dave Backway, Keith Sowden, Frank Parkhouse, Ivor Jones, Roy Mitchell, Les Braddick, Jack Mitchell, Donald Cawsey, Eddie Shortridge, Bob Barter, Colin Curtis, Freddie Lamey, Chris Sowden.

Gazette article dated 20 August 1965

Skittles

Tonight’s the night for the skittlers of Bideford and district, for the annual dinner of the local league is being held at the Westward Ho! Holiday Centre.

Among those to receive trophies will be the Appledore WMC A team who won the President’s Cup. The team – Messrs P Reed, G Bignell, W Hutchings, H Morse, D Curtis, H Ransom.

Losing finalists were Maltscoop A team. The team – E Edworthy, T Gubb, W Harris, L Gifford, J Williams, C H Tanton.

Article dated 13 April 1962

Bideford schoolboy

Peter Gifford will be off to London in 12 days time to compete against 15 other top young darts players in the national finals of the ‘Our Show’ under-16 darts tournament for the Daily Mirror Trophy.

Fifteen year old Peter, of 5B Honestone Street, Bideford, was one of two qualifiers at the West of England and Wales regional finals held at Bristol.

Should Peter be lucky enough to win the title he will not only receive the trophy from the reigning World Master and British Open champion Eric Bristow, but will also have the unique opportunity to play

After defeating the holders,

Appledore British Legion A, the previous week, the East Putford skittles team were themselves defeated by Buckland Brewer A in the area final of the Starkey Cup.

Above are members of the Buckland Brewer A team: Messrs W Tucker, P Mills, F Horrell, L Blight, W Lawrence, C Babb. East Putford, were represented by: Messrs W Vanstone, F Lane, J Dean, S Wilson, L Okeu, H Parr.

Gazette article dated 2 March 1956

Despite last-minute reorganisation,

this crew from the Ladies’ section of Bideford AAC finished second in their event at Bideford Regatta.

Stroke was Mrs Phyllis Plumtree, the former international oarswoman who is now captain of the ladies’ section.

Left to right the crew is: Catherine Davenport, Janet Tilke, Mrs S Newcombe, Mrs P Plumtree, Barbara Nicholls (cox).

Gazette article dated 15 September 1961

Swan Cygnets pose with the Darts Association for the Blind trophy 

for the Bideford area and their captain Colin Bennett holds the area singles cup.

The team are: Ken Ebsworthy, Tim Staddon, Mike Ellis, Gerald Ellis, Geoff Staddon, Colin Bennett.

Bideford Amateur Rowing Club receive a new darts trophy from the Texaco Company, handed them by Mr Sam Redfern. First winners of the trophy are the Rejects from the Portobello, comprising Tony Beer, Brian Jenkins, and Jim and Marion Fargher.

Gazette article dated 7 April 1972

Buckland Brewer B had the best record

of any of the 80 teams competing in the five divisions of Bideford and District Skittles League last season.

Buckland were skippered by Cyril Babb, at 54 the ‘old man’ of the side.

Pictured here at the annual dinner of the Skittles League the team comprises: John Prance, John Babb, Brian Jeffery, Graham Rowland, Cyril Babb and Ernest Dennis. Regular player Ivan Rowland could not be in the picture as he was ill at the time.

Gazette article dated 1 May 1964

In the presence of many friends

including representatives of the Women’s Amateur Rowing Association, the West of England Amateur Rowing Association, Bideford Regatta Committee, and the two men’s rowing clubs in the town, Bideford and District Ladies’ Rowing Club on Tuesday evening entered a new era in its history by opening new boathouse and headquarters on the Pill. 

On the ground floor is the boathouse, with four craft – Rosalind, Nil Desperandum, Christine Mary and Vernon – stowed on their racks, and on the first floor is the Club room where, after the Mayor (Mr J H Sharley) had declared the new

Local players shine against rest of Britain

Max Faulkner, former Open champion, drives off in the ‘ancient v modern’ match at Westward Ho!

Others: Peter Alliss, Nicky Laws and John Olde as old-time caddies; Brian Huggett, Christy O’Connor and,  holding umbrella, Stanley Taggart.

Whilst glorious weather played a significant part in the success of the Centenary meeting of the Royal North Devon Golf Club, tributed must be paid to the chairman, Mr John Phillips, and committee. They arranged a programme that brought together not only representatives of leading clubs in Scotland, Ireland, England and Wales but also four leading professionals.

Record Entry of 104

A father and son, Arnold and Peter Fulford, won the Bideford Bay foursomes golf competition over the weekend. They registered 71 points.

The Stableford bogey event was played over 36 holes – 18 holes at Saunton on Saturday and 18 holes over the Royal North Devon links at Westward Ho! on Sunday.

Results: A A Fulford and P A Fulford, 71 points; G Harris and T H Jones, 69 points; A Hoyle and A W Neve, and P Brennan and C D Squire, 68 points.

Winners at Saunton: A A and P A Fulford, J F Dennis

Jubilant player-manager Ken Whitfield

raises his arms in triumph after Bideford’s win over Weston which gave them the points to clinch the Western League championship.

In the photo are: Lol Chappell, Roy Burnett, Tony Long, John Penny, Alan Marsh, Barry Kelland, Peter Bennett, Tony Irons, Derek May and trainer Bill Finn. Kneeling are Graham Bond and John Gauntlett.

Then came toasts in champagne, proposed by the Mayor of Bideford, Lieut-Col R D D Birdwood.

Gazette article dated 1 May 1964

Lunches, teas and coffees

And once again contributing much behind the scenes to the success and popularity of Bideford’s annual bowling tournament was the band of Bideford Club members’ wives who throughout the week provided lunches, teas and snacks in the adjacent Rugby Club hall. They served an average of about 100 lunches, 135 teas and 100 coffees a day.

They were persuaded to come into the sunshine just as they were finishing the luncheon washing-up and were starting to prepare for tea. The team was led by Mrs Harry Blackmore and Mrs F Horner.

Seen in the photograph are:

At one time on Sunday there were 75 or more golfers all on the fairway to the fourth hole at Westward Ho!

But this was no pile-up of play: they were all armed with shovels, brooms and rakes and were taking part in 'operation sand-blast.'

Their task was to clear some of the considerable accumulation of sand which has blown from the sand dunes on to this fairway.

Members of both the Royal North Devon Golf Club and the Northam Artisans' Golf Club joined in the combined operation, sweeping the sand into piles and shovelling it into trailers.

'It has

Two men dressed as women

Gazette article dated 13 May 1977

Champions of the North Devon Senior League for the sixth time since the war

J Curtis (committee), Sid Cox, Stan Edwards, Bob Hocking, Ronnie Cook, Cyril Moyse, Roy Drew, Alan Smith (trainer), Bobby Bailey, Gerald Cornish, Des Bennett, Dai Jones, Doug Bale

Gazette article dated 9 May 1958

The Captain receives the trophy

On behalf of Hartland AFC, of which he is captain, Ron Watson receives from Mrs Sharley, wife of Mr J H Sharley (secretary of the Kingsley League), the championship trophy for the Kingsley League Division 1. This is the first time Hartland have won this trophy since 1928 although two years ago they shared the trophy with Stratton.

Photo R Gifford, Hartland

Gazette article dated 7 May 1954

These Are The Faces That Go With The Feet

Garry Henry, Leonard Ford, Michael Tithecott, Mark Stevens, Andrew Oake, Andrew Little, Barry Robinson. Missing from the picture are Brian Cox and Jeffery Brown.

Played 47, won 41, drawn 2, lost 4, for 218, against 48 – that is the record of the young football players of Bideford School.

The full Gazette article is dated 5 April 1974

Success for Devon Juniors

Three local young fishermen had the time of their lives on Sunday when they travelled to Brixham and landed well over £100 worth of trophies and prizes.

The youngsters took part in Wyvern Division NFSA’s annual shore competition from Brixham breakwater and which this year was coupled with the National Angling championships.

Diane Mitchell of 7 Northdown Road, Bideford, won the Mary Page junior ladies’ trophy and was also awarded a bronze medal from the National Federation of Sea Anglers.

Leslie Malcolm Dennis, of Elemore, Ballards Crescent, Instow, won the Vic Cannon trophy. His prizes included

Two Championships

Teams from the Stella Maris School, Bideford, won the senior and intermediate championships at the North Devon Netball rally at Barnstaple's County Secondary School last week.

The teams, are: Mary Patient, Carol Davey, Judith Payne, Elizabeth Adlington, Monique Jackson, Helen Cork, Aphansa Bassipour, Louisa Gollins, Susan Heard, Martine Jackson, Judith Cork, Louisa Brooks and Marilyn Cuthill.

Jane Deacon and Margaret Mortimer, who also took part, are not in the photograph.

Gazette article dated 14 March 1969

North Devon champions

Torrington Minors, although ousted by Newton Spurs in the semi-final of Devon Minor Cup, have the consolation of being the North Devon area champions in the competition.

They are: L Jury, S Copp, D Parish, S Hutchings, M Cooke, J Pitts, D Short, P Alexander, R Ayre, M Copp, B Baker, I Baker, G Isaac.

Gazette article dated 2 May 1969

Three Schools’ Athletics Meeting At Langtree

At the first athletics meeting to be staged between the county primary schools of Buckland Brewer, Instow and Langtree by invitation of the headmaster, Mr R A Yeo Jenn, the host school won the cup by a substantial margin.

After keenly contested events watched by more than 200 parents and friends, Mr Ken Whitfield (player-manager of Bideford AFC) presented the trophy to Langtree sports captain John Sanders and congratulated those responsible for the excellent organisation.

Langtree school was thanked by headmasters Mr L Beech and Mr A F Levick.

The Winners included

I G

The autumn meeting of the Royal North Devon Golf Club concluded on Saturday

The above photograph shows the principal cup winners:

W Tucker (Caldwell Cup), R G Olde (Bideford Town Trophy), Col W B Wright, Instow (Schoolmasters’ Cup), the President, Mr H R Buckland (with the Canny Ryall Cup, to be played off between A A Smalley and A Cole, standing at his feet), David Trapnell (Kashmir Cup), Capt H L Morgan (Veterans’ Cup) and Dr Denton Guest (Lind Testimonial).

Article dated 7 September 1956

The darts playing firemen of Appledore are county champions.

They swept the board in the Devon Fire service finals at Exeter, winning the team and individual championships without losing a leg.

It is the first time that Appledore have won the championship. Torrington, who won the team title four years ago, are the only other local unit to have done so.

Our picture shows Messrs Ed Peake, Wilf Tanton, Fred Bennett, Bill and John Bowden being congratulated by their Sub-Station Officer, Mr Albert Powe.

Appledore beat Torquay 4-0 in the semi-finals and Moretonhampstead by the same margin in the final.

Successful netball team!

Junior champions of the North Devon Schools Netball League are these girls from Bideford Secondary Modern School seen here with the championship shield they won last week.

This is the fourth that the trophy has been up for competition and the first occasion on which it has come to Bideford. The previous winners were Barnstaple Technical, Barnstaple Secondary Modern and Combe Martin Secondary Modern.

This trophy, which is for Schools’ second teams, was won by Janet Cater, Doreen Balsdon, Hilary Payne, Margaret Palmer, Maureen Williams, Cynthia Squires and Jean Craner.

In the final they defeated South Molton,

A Confident Look

There’s a ‘quietly confident’ look about Hartland AFC as they face the photographer before they start their Devon Junior Cup, third round replay with Clovelly at Deer Park, Hartland. Their confidence was not misplaced either, for the Reds won 4-0.

From left to right the players are: Braund, Adams, Cole, McElwee, Beer, Scoynes, Walter, Joy, B Heard, Folland, Gray.

Gazette article dated 19 November 1954

Golf Celebrations

Cutting the cake on Friday evening as part of the celebrations by members of the Royal North Devon Golf Club ladies’ section and their guests of the 100th anniversary of the founding at Westward Ho! of a golf club for women.

Seen in the photograph are: Miss W M Fulford. Mrs H N Fulford, Miss B S Martin, Miss J Bruce, Mrs R Yewdall, Mrs S Creasy, Miss O Williams, Mrs J Mason, Mrs A A Smalley, Mrs M Sillem, Mrs P S Sparling, Miss J Taylor. 

On Saturday prizes were presented by Miss Olwyn Williams, former president

Introducing Torrington County Secondary School's soccer first XI:

R Blight, M Tucker, J Waldron, J Tucker, S Copp, B Dennis, G Madge, G Gerry, M Bower, P Singh, M Kelly, S Broer, S Minhinnett, C Woolacott.

Gazette article dated 12 February 1965

The sharp shooting Bandits of Lenwood Country Club in action in Bideford Ladies' Skittles League

The Bandits recently set up a new league record by scoring 389 and winning by 111 pins.

Maureen Palmer prepares for action watched by Joan Sharp, Maureen Hollow, Rose Peacham, Diane Sharp and Pat Sherborne.

Gazette article 19 January 1973

The good wishes of North Devon soccer fans go with Appledore tomorrow

when they travel to Holsworthy for the third round of the Devon Senior Cup.

Pictured in our photograph taken before the Fishermen defeated Fremington in the Torridge Cup last weekend are: L Lamey, S Cox, W Ross, J Bale, D Martin, W Barber, D Bennett, J Curtis, C Daniel, D Jones, M Lawrie, E Clegg, D Bale, H Bale.

Gazette article dated 13 January 1956

Bideford CLB who, at home last Monday, beat Frithelstock B in a Division IV match by seven pins, 258-251.

Left to right: C Copp, P Bowden, P Oke, E Crump, A Carpenter, D Vickers.

Frithelstock B are in friendly rivalry with their A team near the head of their division.

Back row: M Dymond, W Daw, E Lawrence, P Lock, K Gerry, J Lock

Gazette article dated 13 January 1956

Torrington AFC

are looking to the future beyond the present rather lean season and have built up a youthful Colts team to operate in the North Devon Junior League.

The average age of the Colts, photographed above before bringing off their first double against Yelland, is only 16 1/2 and the side includes three lads still at school.

From left to right the players are: R Davey, M Lee, B Sussex, J Beer, N Dymond, B Mules, C Folland, R Tolley, M Dymond, B Davey, R Hobson

Gazette article dated 13 January 1956

With the aim of raising money for provision of hard tennis courts in Hartland,

a sub-committee of the local Playing Fields Association was formed last summer.

A canvass by circular in the district established that there was a call for tennis courts, which have been in the thoughts of the Playing Fields’ Association for 10 years. But funds have been needed for other facilities, such as the football field, children’s playground and the pavilion, plus maintenance costs, and it has not been possible to concentrate on providing for tennis until now.

A series of events, including a motor treasure hunt,

Max Faulkner and Peter Alliss at Westward Ho!

To raise funds for the National Spastics Society, Max Faulkner, open British golf champion in 1951, and Peter Alliss, will feature in an exhibition match at Westward Ho! tomorrow afternoon, by courtesy of the Royal North Devon Golf Club. Stanley Taggart and Mr E D Trapnell will join them in a four-ball game, which starts at 2.30pm. At 2pm there will be a ‘golf clinic’.

Although there is no charge to the public to see the exhibition match, opportunities will be provided for them to donate to the funds of the Society.

Before even the final was played at last week's finals night of Appledore Darts League, the knock-out cup was bound for the New Inn, Abbotsham,

and pictured are Abbotsham A, winners of the trophy after they had defeated their B team in two straight legs.

The A team is: T Moore, T Headon, G Ellis, D Tucker, H Smale, Mrs S Tucker, B Prust and F Bailey.

B team members are: R Headon, C Gist, S Tucker, N Wooldridge, F Wade, C Nicholls

Article dated 4 May 1956

Unconquered this season is Bideford Church Juniors soccer team.

Recent success include 5-1 and 3-1 victories over East-the-Water Primary School and a 0-0 draw with Westcroft County Primary School last Friday.

Pictured above after their win at Pollyfield are: Tony Phillips, David Lane, Richard Thompson, Mike Powe, Graham Williams, Philip Higgins, Martin Rees, Trevor Lane, Paul Hancock, Geoff Edwards, Bill Manning, Anthony Woolf.

Gazette article dated 5 April 1968

Long history

Members of Bideford Rifle Club team photographed with the championship trophy of Division V of Devon Country Smallbore Rifle Association Winter League in which their record in the recent season was: Shot 16, won 14, drawn 1, lost 1, points 29. This is the club’s first post-war championship win.

C F Taylor, A Cloak, F Hockin, S J Swain, S D Ford, W E Congdon, J W Trapnell, S Hoare, Mrs C M Curry, G Cloke, A E Pridham.

The club which now has membership of 40, has a long history going back to the days of the

“There’s none so fair as can compare with the Bideford RFC”.

So goes the last line of the local adaptation of a well-known rugby ditty, and few teams have justified the claim more than the 15 lads of the Bideford Chiefs this season.

The Chiefs have rattled up 653 points and conceded only 132. This surpassed the previous club record, set up last season, by the remarkable majority of 341 points. They have also created a new defensive record by having 25 points fewer than last year scored against them.

They have won 31 games, only lost three and drawn

Commencement of bowling season

Bideford Bowling Club commenced their season on Saturday by entertaining their neighbours of the Victoria Park Bowling Club and tomorrow play the return match on the Park Green.

The Bideford club, won the first match by four shots.

The teams are: Bideford BC – J Mills, J Waldron, G H Blackmore, S Marshall, R Barker, P Wadey, E H Hopcraft, H Mules, J Steer, F Horner, H W Elliott, J Colgan, W Blackmore, A W Blackmore, J Heal, W J Davey.

Victoria Park BC – J Harding, R J Hearn, J Steer, J Ackland, L G Adams, H

Best junior side in North Devon

This is the Bideford Grammar School Colts XI who recently completed a season in which they won all their nine matches and proved themselves to be not only the best Colts side of the School has produced for years, but also the best junior side in North Devon.

In the picture are: Derek Staddon, Michael Lockyer, Malcom Farley, John Rowson, Roy Cole, John Ingham, John Smith, Derek Whitfield, David Baker, Michael Eastmond, George Squires, Clifford Dark, Robert Pooley, Mr G J Norman (coach), Kenneth Braund, and Roger Hunkin.

Bideford GS Colts Rugby XV also

Bideford Stock-Car Racing Entry Comes In Second

Cheerful send-off impression of Mr William Jack Blight, of the Garage, New Road, Bideford, as he sets off for Plymouth Stadium to face over 13,000 spectators and to bash his way through to second place in his heat at the stock-car race meeting.

The above car is a Ford V8 28hp saloon, ‘Blighty’s Blue Devil’. In the background is Old Ford Farm House where he lives.

The full Gazette article is dated 15 April 1955

Throwing the first ball at the opening of Abbotsham’s new skittle alley 

is Mr. C. A. Grant (Deputy Mayor of Bideford). Watching him, left to right, are: Messrs. W. James, W. Hockin, E. D. Williams (Chairman, Bideford and District Skittles League), Rev. L. Woolcott (Vicar of Abbotsham), Mrs. Dark, Messrs. E. Blight (Chairman, Abbotsham Skittles Club), C. Easton, S. Nicholls, J. Hockin, D. Trewin and Rev. W. H. Smith (former Vicar of Abbotsham).

Congratulating Abbotsham Skittles Club and friends on their enterprise in building a fine up-to-date alley, the Deputy-Mayor of Bideford (Mr. C. A. Grant), who on Saturday evening

Clovelly Football

Half-time refreshment for Clovelly football team at home on Saturday to Morwenstow in the Kingsley League, which the visitors won 6-2.

Left to right: W. Robins, P. Littlejohns, C. Rowe (behind), C. Headon, B. Perham, A.Johns, R. Weeks, G. Shackson, P. Symonds, A. Goman, D. Squire.

Gazette article dated 26 September 1958

Charlie Jenkins injured

Hartland’s first home game on Saturday, against Shebbear in the Kingsley League, was marred after half an hour’s play by an accident in which the home side’s young centre-forward, Charlie Jenkins (see in the middle of the front row in the above picture, taken before the start of the game) fractured a leg when going into a tackle with the Shebbear right –half.

Seventeen-years-old Jenkins was taken to Bideford and District Hospital by ambulance and later transferred to the Exeter Orthopaedic Hospital.

At the time of the accident Hartland were leading 2-0 with goals by Chance, after

Tennis Club’s First Woman President

An inscribed table lighter was presented to the retiring president, Mr Eric Westoby, at the annual meeting of Westward Ho! Tennis Club.

He has been actively connected with the club since its formation 20 years ago.

The new president, and the first woman to hold the office, is Mrs Hazel Stephens, of Park Avenue, Westward Ho! She has been a member of the club for about 15 years and was a playing member until two seasons ago.

Other officers elected were: chairman, Mr R H Clarke; hon. Secretary, Mr P Colwill; hon. Treasurer, Mr E

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

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

Bideford skittlers got their own back when they entertained a team from Bath at the Maltscoop alley on Saturday.

The game was a return contest for one held a week previously at Bath, which the home team had won by five rubs to one, the match being played under the rules operating locally.

Ivor Jones, the Bideford League secretary, who captained the local side, Cyril Lyle, Arthur Edworthy and Eddie Glover recorded spares for Bideford.

Details: Bideford - I Jones 48, C Lyle 51, Ernie Glover 44, J Cleverdon 42, T Johns 46, W Griffiths 46, L Elston 44, A Edworthy

 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

Bideford Regatta Foot and Cycle Sports

Messrs G W Blackman, P C Fryer, P J V Fulford, D Leftwich, E Tomlinson, E F Ellis and F A Pearson.

Sitting in front is the Mayor of Bideford, Mr W H Copp.

Gazette article dated 14 September 1951

Bideford Blues smile confidently when photographed before their Kingsley League Northern Division game at home to Merton

A few minutes later they were playing with equal confidence and finished the game outstanding winners by 11 goals to 0.

Fine runs in local cup competitions have played havoc with the Blues’ League programme. They have games in hand over all their opponents and, although they are now lying in the second half of the league table, the good brand of football they play should ensure a rapid climb up the ladder. ‘Father’ of the side, Arthur Shute, will see to that!

Neighbouring Schools Are Rivals At Netball

As mentioned last week, Torrington County Secondary School junior netball team beat their Bideford County Secondary School counterparts 6-4 when they recently met at Torrington.

The Torrington team was – Rosemary Squire, Pauline Tucker, Pat Parkhouse, Sandra Vanstone, Shirley Hutchings, Janet Tolley, Judith Fisher.

Bideford – Joan Symons, Kay Shute, Sandra Johns, Rosemary Peacham, Sheila Bliman, Lyn Buckley, Barbara Davidson

Gazette article dated 3 February 1961

The reign of Westward Ho! Tennis Club’s B team at the top of the North Devon Tennis League is over –

their place has been taken by the Westward Ho! A team.

Tony Butterfield and Derek Hendersen lost to Dave Priddle and Peter Clarke; lost to Colin Freemantle and John Beaumont. Ian Mitchell and Alan Briggs lost to Priddle and Clark; lost to Freemantle and Beaumont.

The clash between the Westward Ho! ladies teams ended in the same way with the A team winning 4-0, but Betty Stephens and Sue Ackland almost caused an upset before losing three sets to Sue

Presentation to Mr J Rowe

As a token of their appreciation of his fifty years’ service as professional to the Royal Ashdown Forest Golf Club, the members of the club have presented to Mr Arthur John (Jack) Rowe a handsomely framed illuminated address and an envelope containing War Savings Certificates.
Mr Rowe, who is 72, is a native of Westward Ho! A founder member of the Northam Artisans’ Golf Club, Mr Rowe has been elected President of the club for the duration of the war. It was in 1888 that Mr Jack Rowe was the Westward Ho! representative who went

Bill Pascoe - Sport - 8th March 1968

Mr Bill Pascoe, after being a member for over 50 years, is the new captain of the Bideford Amateur Athletic Club. He joined the Club as a boy and specialised in bar and trapeze work. At 70 years old, Mr Pascoe is working full time for a Bideford garage

Mr Jack Rowe, the well known Northam golfer, who for 48 years has been professional at Ashdown Forest Club, told Bideford Rotarians recently of an incident with the famous British Prime Minsiter, Mr A J Balfour (later Earl Balfour), who used to play golf with him.

Snooker Semi-Final - 15th February 1957

It was a 'civic surprise' night at Bideford Conservative Club on Monday when the only second division team left in Bideford Snooker League's knock-out cup competition, Town Hall, beat the Newsboys by 3 games to 2, to go into the hat for the semi-final draw. Town Hall team comprises members of Bideford Corporation staff, while the Newsboys are now back again writing headlines instead of trying to make them!
Front row (left to right) - D Bidgway, D R F Arnold, R Cudmore, D Woolley, S Eastman; Back-row - B Hockin, P G Day, L S

Nearly 400 Runs in Under Four Hours - September 1961

Nearly 400 runs were scored in under four hours at Bideford on Saturday when Bideford Casuals met Pilton.
The visitors set the pace when they rattled up 189 for 3 in the two hours before tea. Although the rate in the first hour was almost sedate, 55 runs only being scored, the advent of T Treloar (81, 15 fours) made up for this. Together with K Pedlar (58 n.o.) they put on 117 for the third wicket.
Set to score 190 in two hours, Casuals took up the challenge, the

Ladies Football Match - 1st August 1975

Special Attraction - First Time in Bideford

Ladies Football Match - Thame Ladies (Oxford) England League Finalists including Eight Full Internationals v Devon Representative XI

Saturday August 9
Kick-off 7pm
Sports Ground, Bideford

Followed by an OX ROAST, Various Side Shows, Brass Band, Refreshments and Bar in the Club House 
Don't Miss This Unique Event!

Bideford Chiefs - Rugby - 10th March 1963

Bideford Chiefs haven't had a successful season. In the picture are R Bird, B Smale, C Balsdon, R Grigg, R Spry, M Poole, W Hopkins, E Slade, C Davis, G Folland, M Stevens, R Moses, B Welford, W Lock, M Grigg, T Langbridge, P Colwill, R Johns.

Margaret Fulford - 13th November 1970

To Be Devon Women's golf Captain

Mrs Margaret Fulford, of Orchard Hill House, Bideford, wife of Mr Norman Fulford, has been elected Devon women's captain for 1971.
She is the first member of the Royal North Devon Golf Club since the war to be appointed to this position. She plays off a 16 handicap and with her R.N.d clubmate Mrs Peggy Fourt, this year reached the final of the county foursomes.

B.A.R.C. Proudly Displays Season's Trophies 29.10.1954

Sports. A representative gathering of members of Bideford Amateur Rowing Club photographed with some thirty cups and shields won during the past rowing season. Messrs A.Taylor; E.Down; G.Moore; J.Evans; R.Galsworthy; J.Day; J.Mitchell; C.Morris; J.Roy Ellis; H.W.Fulford; R.Hancock; E.F.Day; R.Lake; K.Day; N.Wiltshire; H.Shute; K.Hearn; J.Eastmond; G.Cox; F.R.Way; L.Bright; W.Lee; J.Edwards; N.Drew; R.Scoynes; A.Elliott; C.Fishleigh; C.Mitchell; M.Moore; C.Ashton; K.Mitchell; H.Shute; B.Shute; J.Conibeare; M.Scoynes; B.Tilke; T.Johns; B.Taylor; R.Longstone; C.Lamey; D.Rice; L.Lamey; C.Williams; B.Cole; R.Branch; P.Lee; A.Patt; T.Johns (junr); R.Day; E.Brown; F.Stevens; N.Beer

Presentation at Bideford Ladies' Bowling Club Dinner 30.3.1951 

Sport. A shield was presented to Bideford Ladies' Bowling Club at a dinner held at the Rose of Torridge Cafe, on Wednesday March 21st. Arthur McTaggart Short, Edwin Short, Mrs AC Fulford, Mrs SF Jameson, Mrs SA Luxton

Bideford's New Bowling Green 9.12.1947

Sport. The Mayor of Bideford laid the first sod of Cumberland turf on the new bowling green being constructed in the Victoria Park and it was hoped the green would be completed in March 1948 at a cost of £1,831. Cllrs FT Upton, WH Chubb, JH Sharley, JH Bright, Mr FC Backway, Ald FE Whiting, Messrs Maxwell Hart, Mr Dunlop

The 1951 Bowling Season commences 4.5.1951

Sport. Opening day on Wednesday 25th April. SF Marshall, Mrs Marshall, EC Parr, CP Ashton, H Guard, G Bluett, J Lang, C A'Court, J Heal, J Burrow, Charlie the groundsman, Jimmy Huxtable

War-Time Souvenir of a Most Successful Season 

Sport. Group photograph of the Bideford Amateur Rowing Club to wind up a great season. G.Staddon; W.P.Cox; F.Stevens; J.Poole; R.Galsworthy; C.G.Metherell; J.T.Mitchell; H.W.Fulford; C.Morris; E.F.Day; F.W.Beer; E.J.Day; T.Lock; F.Johns; C.Dicker; J.Seldon; R.Walters; R.Lake; L.F.Ross; R.Day; J.Way; R.P.Blackmore; A.Day; R.H.Moore; J.James; S.A.Moore; E.G.Cawsey; J.W.Taylor; W.H.Taylor; K.J.Braunton; J.Fisher; R.Williams; T.Bird; G.Williams; R.Taylor; W.Chubb; D.Colwill; W.Headon; P.Bushen; R.Hancock; L.Colwill; K.Welch; D.Scott; K.J.Brend; W.Hocking; A.S.Cawsey; O.Reveley; K.Lesslie; T.Emberry; A.S.Moore; F.Short; M.Burnett; L.Rendell; R.Keates; J.R.Lake; A.Brend; J.Rees; E.Newcombe; E.B.Lemon; L.Daniell; D.Mills; B.Shute; R.Babb; H.Galliford; E.W.Budd; F.R.Lane; C.A.Metherell; W.Parsley; C.Littlejohns; C.Galsworthy; G.Dymond; W.Thisby; J.Day; R.Palmer; R.Day

County President Visits Bideford Lady Bowlers 4.9.1953

Sport. President of Devon County Ladies' Bowling Association Mrs Broughton was entertained at the Victoria Park. Mrs B Elliott, Mrs H Lethbridge, Miss M Meredith, Mrs G Blackmore

An inscribed tankard, in recognition of his notable scoring last season when he created a new individual record of 252 points – over a hundred more than the previous best – has been presented by Bideford Rugby Football Club to Chief’s full back Mike Grigg.

Mike, a 14 stone farmer from Monkleigh, has just completed his eighth season with Bideford, first playing for the Chiefs soon after leaving the North Devon Technical College.
Before the club president, Mr Terence Bird, presented the tankard, the chairman, Mr Mervyn Bird, said of Mike’s score ‘It is a truly magnificent effort by any standard’. Proposing

Northam Golfers at Jubilee Gathering 7.9.1938

Sport.  PH Andrews, CH Gibson, J Rowe, H Snell, E Slocombe, GH Cann, JH Taylor, N Sanders, H Heaman, T Shutt, FV Cole, JW Fulford, T Mounce, H Braund, RW Littlejohns, HJ Grantham, R Gale, T Jones, T Walters, G Harris, HC Squire, G Tuplin

Memento Picture of Golf Championship at Westward Ho! 10.10.1952

Sport. English Ladies' Singles Championship meeting at Westward Ho!.  Miss Greaves, Miss Ann Phillips, Miss Elizabeth Price, Miss Pamela Davies, Lady Katharine Cairns, Miss Holdsworth, Miss Jeanne Bisgood, Mrs Allen, Miss Rudgard, Mrs Bolton, Miss Gordon, Miss Halsted, Miss Howell, Mrs Dickenson, Miss Jane Redgate, Miss Jocelyn Davies, Miss Jean McIntyre, Miss Sheila Taylor, Miss Esme Taylor, Mrs DO Taylor, Mrs Lang, Mrs Richards, Miss Machin, Mrs Morland, Mrs Brooks, Mrs Armitage, Mrs Wright, Miss Anstey, Mrs Ferguson, Miss Nancy Jupp, Mrs FR Brown, Mrs Newton, Mrs Salmon, Mrs Shearman, Mrs

Northam Golf Jubilee 27.9.1938

Sport.  First of all Artizan Clubs, Northam Artizan Golf Club this year reached its golden jubilee. Special celebration programme. CH Gibson, Phillip Andrews, William Puncher, Tom Geen, Ernest Cawsey, Richard Burch, Charlie Cook, Jesse Braund, Louis Chapple, John Penhorwood, Alfred Stevens, Sidney Dymond, EJ Labbett, Jack Hutchings, Richard Davis, Charlie Cowler, William Worth, William Pursey, George Cann, JH Taylor, T Metherell, William Hutchings, Harry Williams, William Davis, Ernest Way, Jack Rowe, William Hearn, William Fulford, Samuel Fulford, T Glover, JW Fulford

Westward Ho! Club to Close After 80 Years 13.07.1956

Sport.  Short history of the Union Club originally for golfers. Capt SL Bell, Rev IH Gosset, Hon Denys Scott, Capt HJ Fletcher, Colonel Langley, Mr EM Allen, General Boyle, Mr GH Moorhead, Capt SL Bell, Col Stanley Smith, Mr RV Mitchell

Members of Victoria Park and Ladies’ Bowling Club and the Mayor and Mayoress of Bideford after the Mayor (Mrs E J Brown) had presented the season’s cups and prizes at the Club on Thursday week.

The doll, which the Mayor and Mayoress (Mrs L B Galliford) are holding, will be the club’s mascot. It was dressed and presented to the club by Mrs B Cupit, this year’s captain.
Tea followed the presentations.
Cupwinners were: Mrs L Elliott, Mesdames L Elliott and L Taylore, Mrs F Blackmore.

Tennis Club Prizewinners

Prizewinners of Westward Ho! Tennis Club received their awards at the club’s annual dinner. The awards were distributed by Mrs Rendle, sister of the president, Mr Arthur Saunders.
All former members who could be traced were invited to the occasion, which was the third annual function of its kind.
Awards were: Wally Worwood; Mrs Rosemary Hughes; Miss Janine Trapnell; Donald Colwill; Fred Pittman; Mrs Margaret Petherbridge; Miss Margaret Mortimer; Derek Johns; Miss Pam Plum; Peter White.

100 Years of Women's Golf at Westward Ho! 07.06.1968

Sport. The Royal North Devon Golf Club is celebrating the centenary of its associated ladies' golf club. Mrs Mary Hutchinson, Horace Hutchinson, Mrs Cicely Sparling, Rev IH Gossett, Lady Heathcote-Amory, Joyce Wethered, Bernard Darwin, Roger Wethered, Mrs Gladys Tamworth, Mrs Judy Dering, Judy Boyd, Mrs Argles, Miss Thona Newton-King, Mrs Margaret Sillem, Mrs Kathleen Grahame, Mrs Laura Scott, Laura Foster, Mrs AA Smalley, Miss Mary Justice, Mrs WB Wright, WJ Gale, J Long, M Barnett, PBF Brown, TJ Bonetta, GF Day, J Baglow, J Slocombe, AM Barnett, CR Mugford, M Elliott,

Bideford Chiefs, 9pts – Tiverton, nil

In conditions which suggested forward play, the handling of the Bideford team turned out surprisingly good and, in fact, the tries came from handling movements and not from forward rushes as might have been expected.
The clean, consistent hooking of G Woolf gave the Chiefs an initial advantage of which the backs made good use. C Davis, wing three-quarter played a fine game and scored two of the tries; the first coming from an orthodox three-quarter movement and ending when he threw off three defenders and touched down in the corner.
Ray Sawtell, intercepting and

Bideford was represented by three crews in the women's fours at the regatta on Saturday.

All of the rowers in two of the crews - A and B - were aged 16 or under.
They are seen grouped together in one of the fun fair waltzers for their photograph: Rosemary Phillips, Judith Northcott, Jenny Robinson, Karen Witt, Gill Andrews, Julie Branch, Ann Shortridge, Ruth Portus, Robert King and Mervyn Symons

The full Gazette article is dated 10 September 1965

Mr Fred Patt's many years of service to the Hansen Cup competition were recognised at the annual meeting when he was elected president after having held the office of chairman for the past 12 years.

Mr Roy Day was elected the new chairman with Mr Ken Rookes as vice-chairman. Mr Frank Norman will once again be secretary and elected independent members were Messrs W Lane, B Newnham, W Griffiths, D Miller and D Mounce.It was reported that the competition had a balance in hand of £15.

Next season's final was fixed provisionally for April 29 at Bideford Sports Ground, and

With a goal in the dying seconds Bideford County Secondary School senior netball team managed to make it an 8-8 draw when, at Torrington County Secondary School, they met Torrington seniors.

The teams seen in the accompanying photographs comprised:
Torrington – Marion Curtis, Valerie Tyler, Nina Rookes, Gillian Cox, Pat Van Laneker, Pauline Balkwill, Gillian Copp
Bideford – Susan Hillman, Wendy Harris, Pat Rogers, Sandra Miles, Maureen Tithecott, Susan Slade, Sally Holliman.
The full Gazette article is dated 27 January 1961

Mr Andrew Joynson, son of Col and Mrs N H W Joynson, of Yatton Court, Beaford, is seen above with the Michelmore Challenge Cup which he won when he retained the title of the Devon Junior Squash Champion.

Gazette article dated 21 January 1955

Some of the local girl footballers who tonight are competing for the title of North Devon Soccer Personality Girl.

With the title goes a prize valued at £10.
The occasion is the first annual dinner of the Legs Eleven ladies FC of Appledore, at the Westward Ho! Holiday Centre. An attendance of 450 is expected.
In the picture are: Barbara Riley, Liz Lawrence and Diane Moore, who play for the Shammy Tigers; Rosalind Smale and Christine Hale, from Bell Bombers; Janet Pearson, Liza Stanbury and Anne Powe, of the Legs Eleven team. Another entrant, Juliet John, of Legs Eleven, was

In the golfing world, Northam has gained its own small niche in the game’s history books as the home of John Henry Taylor, one of the Great Triumvirate who was British Open champion no less than five times.

But Northam licensee Peter Long believes that Northam has an even greater claim to fame golfwise by having provided more professionals for the game than anywhere else in the country. With the help of his customers at the Kingsley Inn, Northam, Peter has so far traced 76 golfers who left Northam to join the professional ranks. The list, an impressive one in size alone,

One of three Bideford boxers who made the journey to Kingsbridge on Saturday, light-middleweight Graham Fishleigh, won his tenth bout in succession.

He twice sent his opponent J Flower to the canvas for counts of nine before the referee stopped the content in the third round. Six of Fishleigh’s verdicts have been secured inside the distance and he remains unbeaten. 

David Found, having his second fight, also did well to get a judges’ unanimous decision in a lightweight bout against H Holden. L Cudmore, the junior member of the Bideford and District Amateur Youth Boxing Club party, shaped promisingly in his

Played five, won five, is the notable record of Langtree County Primary School Netball team for the Easter term.

The team wears the same colours as the school’s footballers and, like them, the girls appeared in new kit for their final matches. With the team is Mrs E Stone, a member of the school staff. Mrs E Stone, Josephine Huxtable, Pamela Ford, Winnie Box, Rosalind Gent, Eileen Vanstone, Patsy Sutton, Marilyn Gerry

Gazette article dated 7 April 1961

Winners of Bideford Snooker League’s knock-out cup competition are Bideford Conservative Club. 

In the final at Bideford and District Club they defeated the District Club team by 3-2, although the issue had, in fact, been decided when the Conservative Club won the first three frames. Norman Gale and Albert Hedden staged an exciting finish, Gale winning after the black had been re-spotted, and thus starting the Conservative Club on their winning margin. 

Details: N Gale; A Hedden; W Headon; S Fishleigh; S Shute; K Seymour; G Jones; I Whitaker; F Dee; A Mills.

The Conservative Club team, seen above, with Mr

Tennis champion Bob Clarke received a singles trophy on Friday – from his wife.

Mrs Clarke presented the prizes at Westward Ho! Tennis Club’s first dinner in the absence of the president Mrs C Stephens.
Awards: R Clarke; D Worwood; Mrs R Hughes; Mrs M Petherbridge; P Colwill; Mrs B Worwood; R Colwill and R Rendle; D Colwill and W Milton; Mrs M Beer and Mrs Ganstis; Mrs D Brown and Miss C Symons.
Table tennis: W Milton, A Petherbridge; Miss S Cooksley, Mrs G Anstis.

Gazette article is dated 22 October 1965

Ex-Navy man Mr Les Mott, superintendent of Bideford Parks, stands ready to run up the Western League championship flag presented to Bideford Football Club during their mid-week meeting with Bristol City last week.

Watching the ceremony on the far left is Mr Ernie Hopkins, the club chairman, Mr Les Phillips, Bideford's representative on the Western League, and Mr George Templeman, donor of the flag and vice-chairman of the league.
The flat will be flown from the Sports Ground flagpole at every home fixture this season. And next....?

Gazette article dated 4 September 1964

http://therobinsnestbideford.co.uk/

On Saturday last the summer meeting of the Westward Ho! Ladies’ Golf Club came off on the Northam Burrows.

The interest aroused by this game of skill is still on the increase, as was evident from the goodly number of ladies who came forward to compete for the prizes. Nine couples started, each couple attended by a gentleman associate member as scorer, while the friends of the players and other visitors looked on and enjoyed the gay scenes. 

After playing one round of the golf links of 18 holes, the following were declared to the best score i.e. the smallest

Cross-country grit

A course of three and three quarter miles, complete with a fence, a four foot stone wall and a two foot wall with a ditch, lay in store for the seniors of the newly formed Appledore Boys’ Sports Club when they set out on a cross-country run which took them over Northam Burrows on Saturday.
For the juniors the course was shortened to one and a half miles, but they still had to combat the three obstacles. Winner of the senior section was 16 year old John Hocking, of 34 Tomouth Road, Appledore, with Ken Taylor second and

Mr G Gosset gets the Moncrieff Cross.

The annual autumnal meeting of the members of the Royal North Devon and West of England Golf Club were held on Thursday and Friday last, when a competition took place on the Burrows – on the former day for Sir Hope Grant’s Gold Medal, and on the latter for the Silver Medal of the Club. The weather was not very propitious, nor was the attendance of distant golfers so great as on former occasions.

Eighteen competitors entered on each day, and the six best scores stand as follows: - Thursday – Mr George Gosset, 105: Lt

Bideford schools swept the board when twenty-two teams from nine different schools in North Devon entered the North Devon netball rally, held at Edgehill College on Saturday.

Winners of the senior section were the Stella Maris Convent school, Bideford. The intermediate section was played in two parts, the finalists being Stella Maris and Convent High school, Ilfracombe, and again the Stella Maris team won. Bideford County Secondary School were the winners in the junior section. 

This is the fourth time in succession that Stella Maris Seniors have won the rally and the second time in succession that their intermediates have

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

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

This photograph of Bideford RFCs team was taken prior to last Saturday’s match with Camborne.

Front row, left to right: M Woolf, B Lesslie, G Wren, E W Slade, G Woolf, C T Mill, M Bonetta;
Back row: W Lock, D Lang, B Mead, E R Jones, C Davis, N Walker, J Tilley, A F Hoare, R Sawtell, M C Bird, R Bird, A J Lee, T Bird
There were three absentees from the regular team – G Little, T N Trickey and D Bury
The full Gazette article is dated 6 April 1951

Two teams who have had a successful season in the Bideford Women’s Skittles League are the Tornadoes and the Coasters.

The Tornadoes, who play at Bideford Liberal Club, won the champion of champions trophy and the Division II championship in their first year together. They are: Mesdames E Beer, C Conebear, S Spry, M Clements, Miss E Jones and Mrs J Bell.
The Coasters were runners up in Division I and took the J Venus Cup for the highest away aggregate as well as the Sally Braddick and Mother’s Pride knock-out trophies.
But winning trophies is no new thing for

Gazette article dated 3 May 1957

Bideford AFC pictured with the Hansen Cup after they had defeated Bude 2-1 in the final at Bideford Sports Ground.
Back row: Rivers, Heard, McElwee, French, Parish, Mr S Donoghue;
Front row: Blatchford, Higgins, Hurrell, Pate, Harris, Trott

Bideford, Westleigh, Appledore and Fairy Cross

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

Husband and wife, Les and Jean Parnell, 9 Meadow Park, Bideford, who won the mixed doubles title at the Barnstaple and District Table Tennis League's finals nights.

Bideford Triple Table Tennis Success

Mrs Jean Parnell, of Bideford, won the ladies’ singles and doubles titles at Barnstaple and District Table Tennis League’s finals night, and, with her husband Les, added the mixed doubles trophy.
Mr Parnell is manager of the Bideford branch of Messrs Curry’s in High Street.
Mrs Parnell, with a fine exhibition of defensive tennis in the singles final, never allowed the powerful forehand of co-finalist Ruth Davey,

Chairman Derek Preston, who is organising this year's individual championships of Barum Table Tennis League, was very pleased with the number of entries.

A record 59 in the men's singles and 29 pairs in the doubles, together with bigger entries in all the other events, plus the new Veterans' competition, meant very tight schedules at the three venues.
Finals night was last (Thursday) night at the YMCA, Barnstaple.
In the Veterans' singles, finalists were Dennis Gibson and Bill Thisby.
The junior boys' final was between holder David Lee and Alan Puddick.
Gazette article dated 13 February 1970

Westward Ho! Tennis Club scored a double victory over Rock Park Tennis Club on Sunday, the men winning 9-0 at Westward Ho! and the ladies 7-1 with one match unfinished.

Details of the matches were: E Westoby and D Colwill beat Collyer and Sprague; beat Jewell and Hender; beat Bursem and Hunt. L Prust and D Johns beat Collyer and Sprague; beat Jewell and Hender; beat Bursem and Hunt. D Worwood and G Hippisley beat Collyer and Sprague; beat Jewell and Hender; beat Bursem and Hunt.
Ladies’ match: Mrs Morris and Mrs Stephens beat Miss Smithson and Mrs Cheetham; beat

A new racing four, paid for by the tombola section of the club, was named and launched by Bideford Amateur Rowing Club (the Reds) on Saturday afternoon.

It was named Bidefordian and will be used by the club’s senior four.
The naming ceremony was performed outside the clubhouse by the Mayoress of Bideford, Mrs Hart, who was accompanied by the Mayor, Cllr Eric Hart.
Introducing the ceremony, Mr Tony Way, vice-captain, spoke of the wonderful support that had enabled the money for the new boat to be raised.
Mr Cyril Lamey welcomed the Mayor and Mayoress. A bouquet was presented

The first game for a historic golf trophy was played over the Westward Ho! links on Friday.

Competing in the two-ball foursomes Stableford were members of a newly formed golfing society, centred on the King’s Head Hotel, Northam, who include some of the elite among local players.
The trophy was presented to the society by the relatives of the late, and great, J H Taylor, the Northam golfer who five times won the Open championship. It commemorates at four-ball he played with other ‘giants’ – James Braid, Alex Herd and Harry Vardon.
Behind the new society is landlord Mr J L

From the Maltscoop Inn alley in Cooper Street, Bideford, tomorrow evening what is believed to be the first direct broadcast skittles match in the BBC West Region will take place as part of the regular sound broadcast feature ‘Sport in the West’.

It will be provided by a light hearted challenge match between a team representing Bideford and District Skittles League, playing on this alley, and the Bath and District Skittles League, playing on an alley in Bath. There will be a BBC commentator at each alley, Mr Tom Salmon, undertaking these duties at Bideford.
In the photograph the local

The light in these men’s eyes is not supplied by the Electricity Board, by whom they are employed, but by the knowledge that next season they will be playing in division IV of Bideford Skittles League after a successful season in division V this year.

They are the SWEB B team who won the division V championship this season with a record of 20 victories and one draw out of 28 games played.
The team is Messrs G B Johns, R T Brimacombe, S Bowden, A Mitchell, P Cudmore and R Brimacombe.
The photograph was taken by Mr John Peacham,

Two Bideford wives are preparing to greet their husbands this weekend at the end of the Whitbread round-the-world yacht race.

They are Mrs Jean Smith, Heale House, Littleham, and Mrs Fiona Myatt who with her young family is staying with her parents, Brigadier and Mrs T P Keene, The Gables, First Raleigh, Bideford.

Mrs Smith’s husband, Alan, is on board the Burton Cutter, which is a joint entry by him and Leslie Williams, who is the skipper.

Mrs Myatt’s husband James, a Lieut-Colonel in the Royal Artillery, joined the Army entry, British Soldier, as skipper for the last leg of

Two Bideford boxers whose array of trophies testifies to their prowess in the ring.

On the left is featherweight Dave Kersey, who recently became Three Counties ABA champion, but who lost his Six Counties final against Mike Lawrence (Bristol). On the right is Bob Ellis, a widely experienced boxer who has won many representative honours.
Ellis used all his experience and punching powers to outpoint Exeter’s Bob Curry after three gruelling rounds in the Bideford club’s 21st anniversary tournament at the Royal Hotel. Kersey, however, lost his bout against Teignmouth’s Colin Ebdon on points.
In a junior bout, C Gumbley

Torrington Entry in Broadcast Darts

Congratulations on a very fine performance to John Hocking, the Torrington and District Darts League representative, who was the runner-up in the ninth round of the BBC West of England Darts tournament. On the air in the Plymouth Studio on Saturday, John scored 5,680 with 143 throws in the allotted time of 15 minutes, an average of approximately 40 per throw.
Returning to the league games: Buckingham Arms shook the league championship aspirants, Union Inn, when they held them to a draw in the pairs competition. The scrumpy boys were unfortunate in losing by the

Congratulations from Trainer Herbie Shute for Bideford Amateur Rowing Club's novice (under-20) crew, this year's champions of W.E.A.R.A.

It is some years since the club won the novice championship.
Left to right: F Hutchings, G Tithecott, S Liddiat, D Elliott, Trainer Shute, and A Blackmore.
All the young rowers are from Bideford, with a strong representation from East-the-Water. They will be rowing
in the Glenburnie tomorrow.
When his own rowing days were over, Mr Shute devoted his experience and enthusiasm towards the training of
other rowers. One of the highlights of his success in this sphere was being trainer of

Barnstaple bank manager’s second win in three years

Neville Jutsum, a 50-year-old Barnstaple bank manager, on Monday won the South-Western Counties’ amateur golf championship, for which the Royal North Devon Golf Club was host and continues so for the allied county matches during the week.
In perfect conditions, high summer weather, Jutsum recorded a morning round of 73 and in the afternoon he returned clinching a 70 – two strokes below the course par – to give him a total of 143 and his second win in three years.
Jutsum’s 143 was three better than runner-up George Irlam. Both players are from

Appledore Darts League Division 1 title holders, Champion B, crowned an outstanding season when they retained their two team trophies at the League’s annual ‘finals night’ held at the Appledore Hall on Friday.

The powerful Champion team, led by skipper Ralph Marshall, repeated the success they achieved at last year’s event. Champions’ opponents in both the finals of the team knock-out cup and the Salmon Cup were the Royal Artychokes. Other members of the team are: Jackie Marshall, Andy Bowden, Reg Jeffery, Fred Seath and Eric Johnson.
For the first time the name of Sid Hosegood will appear on the

Bernard Barnes, the young ex-Plymouth Argyle footballer who was persuaded by Bideford player-manager Sam Booth to return to the Bideford club could well become one of the Western League’s top goal scorers this season.

Barnes snapped up three goals in Bideford’s 4-1 victory over Frome Town in the Robins’ opening match in a way which augers well for the future.
However, a big question mark hangs over this talented youngster’s future. Barnes finishes his training at Aldershot this week and he said on Saturday that he did not know where he would be posted.
Colin Beer, Booth’s new centre forward

For the first time for several years parents had the pleasure of watching their children compete at the annual sports of this year’s Langtree County Primary School.

Exciting finishes were a feature of the sports.
Michael Tucker won the over-10 age group high jumping with a jump of three feet five inches – a height equal of the over-11 group winner, Barbara Dove.
The ‘green’ team retained the school championship with 90½ points, seven more than nearest rivals, the ‘blues’.
Results were:
Flat race: Group A – Margaret Sutton, Diane Hearn, Terry Vanstone,
Group B – Michael Tucker, Leonard Ford, Judith Fisher
Group

North Devon Cricket Club is fourth oldest in country

Only three other clubs in the country can boast a longer period of continuous play and support of the game than the North Devon Cricket Club whose ground is at Instow. The Club has always been a centre of keen, friendly sportsmanship, whether it be in the Minor Counties championship or a more casual afternoon occasion. The top hats and the frilled skirts have gone but the old tradition is still there.

The Club was founded at Barnstaple in 1823 with ground acquired at Pottingdon for pursuit of the game. In

It’s A Great Year For Bideford Blues

Junior Champions of the West this season - this Bideford AAC (The Blues) crew comprises G Evans, M Fisher, D Bowden and C Davis with R Hopkins -

The Blues Under-18 crew hold the unofficial WEARA championship for that class – S L Craner, P Cox, J Sanders, J Evans, M Evans. Both crews are undefeated so far this season.

Of the four crews Bideford Blues have been entering at regattas this season all the rowers come from Appledore except two, and those two are members of Bideford families with Appledore association.

Gazette article dated 5

Performing a ‘lap of honour’ at Bideford Regatta on Wednesday will be Bideford Reds A crew (top) who have already made sure of the junior championship of the West of England.

This is the same crew that won the novice championship last year.Left to right: John Lott, David Hutchings, David Elliott, George Tithecott and Albert Blackmore.

The Bideford Blues senior crew (below) are runners-up in this year’s senior champtionship, and as such have been invited to row at Deal in the Coast Championship Regatta. They are (left to right): Clifford Davis, Leslie Slade, John Evans, George Evans. Cox is John

Finding themselves together at the BAAC boathouse recently, members of the Cole family decided to have a ‘family outing’ on the river. In the photograph they are seen seated in a gig ready to set out.

Mr Harry Cole, who is a well-known and versatile personality in local sporting circles, sits proudly in the coxswain’s seat facing his four sons: Cyril, Sydney, Ronald and Laurie.

Mr Cole senior first rowed for the Club in 1909. He is now, and has been for many years past, the Boating Captain of the Club. His sons followed in his footsteps, and the three

Bideford Rugby Club’s new £10,000 clubhouse was officially opened on Thursday evening of last week by Cllr P J V Fulford, who was Mayor of Bideford when the building was constructed.

Cllr Fulford welcomed the agreement between the rugby and soccer clubs over use of grounds and he wished the Rugby Club all success in their splendid new headquarters.

Afterwards Cllr and Mrs Fulford, accompanied by the present Mayor and Mayoress of Bideford, Cllr and Mrs C G Metherall, inspected the building and were guests of honour at a celebration match between Bideford Chiefs and a strong North Devon representative

Stanley Taggart, the 39 year old professional now in his fourth season with the Royal North Devon Golf Club, won the Devon open championship at Churston on Sunday.

Two excellent round of 73 and 72 in conditions made difficult by cross winds, gave him victory over more than fifty amateur and professional players. He won by three strokes from two other professionals, Norman Sutton of Exeter, and Jack Green (Torquay).

The RNDGC amateur E D Trapnell did well to share seventh place with returns of 80 and 75, only tow other non-professionals finishing ahead of him. Another amateur from the

Two brothers and a cousin, George and Allan Larkworthy and Godfrey Larkworthy, are included in Shebbear’s football team.

The father of the two brothers is a member of the committee and his brother, Godfrey’s father, was one of the prime movers in the formation of the club and its original secretary. The club has the unusual distinction of having a woman secretary, Mrs D Bridgman, who succeeded her husband in this office.

Chairman of the Club is the Vicar, Rev H A Robins, and Mr F Pett has been treasurer since 1948. Skipper of the side for the past three

Torrington Football Supporters’ Club agreed at their annual meeting, held at the New Inn, to give the parent club £100 ‘to help them through the season’.

Two payments of £150 had already been made during the year.

The accounts revealed that the Supporters’ Club had a credit balance of £168, plus investments of £400, but the secretary, Mr L J Hutchings, warned that it was becoming increasingly difficult to raise money.

He appealed to playing members to help by selling the weekly lottery coupons, which provide the main source of income for the Supporters’ Club.

It was decided to leave

Wins by one point!

During the visit by the North Devon branch of the Royal Marine Association to the annual reunion at Eastney Barracks, Southsea, one of their members, Mr Dave Jaggard, of 7 Nelson Terrace, Westward Ho! won the individual .22 rifle competition, beating the previous three-year holder, of Portsmouth RMA, by one point.

Thirty-three-year-old Mr Jaggard has made marksmanship a hobby since boyhood. He spent two years’ National Service in the Royal Marines and represented them at Bisley. He equalled a record while at Exmouth by winning the snap and rapid firing competitions two years running there.

He

Plans for Unique Rowing Reunion at Bideford 30.03.1962

Sport. A unique rowing reunion is being planned for Easter Saturday at Bideford. It is the idea of Mr E.Frank Day, former secretary of Bideford Amateur Rowing Club (the Reds)  Messrs J.James; Stan Rendle; Desmond Moyse; P.Oke; M.Holm; J.Mitchell; J.Bale; Walter Johns; Harry Johns; P.Oke; C.Morris; S.Rendle; A.K.Chope; N.Wiltshire; R.Hocking; W.Eastman; F.Montague; C.Hammond; R.Kellaway; F.Gayette; S.Moore; R.Moore; A.Day; W.Thisby; S.Cawsey; L.Lamey; I.Lamey; D.Moyse; M.Holm; F.R.Way; C.Lamey; R.Hancock; G.Tithecott; W.Lee; L.Bright; J.Edwards; B.Taylor; K.Hearn; F.J.Evans

New H.Q. For B.A.R.C. 24.01.1939

Sport. £3,400 Scheme - local appeal launched. Provision of new headquarters, specially designed and equipped with all the latest "Keep Fit" appliances, is announced by the Bideford Amateur Rowing Club. The National Fitnress Council have made a grant of £1,000. Sir Hugh Stucley; Messrs C.Morris; J.T.M.Mitchell; C.G.Metherell; E.Frank Day; Reg Galsworthy; C.Dicker; E.J.Day; J.Tilke; Sergt.-Major Johns