Oxford versus Cambridge
March 1938
Alliss and FaulknerAugust 1957
Opening ceremonySeptember 1924
Top hats and frock coats19 July 1957
Amateur rowers27 August 1954
Skittles27 April 1956
Spares were sparse24 May 1963
Chess afternoons24 January 1964
Successful junior team22 October 1965
The season's signings20 August 1954
Family tradition20 February 1970
Prizes presented by Mr J H Taylor16 May 1958
Retained trophy14 February 1969
Thousands of visitors expectedApril 1975
FishingApril 1975
Home is at InstowApril 1975
Closely contested matchesMarch 1975
Closely contested matchesFebruary 1975
North Devon team5 May 1978
"The finest performance"23 May 1969
Oxford versus CambridgeMarch 1938
University Golf Match
15 March 1938 – The Bideford & North Devon Weekly Gazette
The University golf match, for the first time in its history, will be played on the links of the Royal North Devon Golf Club at Westward Ho! on Tuesday and Wednesday, the 22nd and 23rd March.
22 March 1938 – The Bideford & North Devon Weekly Gazette
All over the world golfers will read and hear of the Oxford and Cambridge University Golf match which is being played on the Royal North Devon Golf Course today (Tuesday) and tomorrow. It is an occasion that gives considerable local satisfaction and not to golfers alone, who, however, will doubtless follow the proceedings in large numbers. It is the first time the University match has been played on this course. Members of the teams have been here some days practising.
Oxford and Cambridge combined in a match by foursomes on Sunday against the Royal North Devon Club on the Westward Ho! course, and won easily by 18 to 5, with one halved. In the morning Oxford won
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Alliss and FaulknerAugust 1957
Max Faulkner and Peter Alliss at Westward Ho!
August 17, 1956
To raise funds, 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 Taggard (professional at Westward Ho!) and Mr E D Trapnell (amateur golf champion of Devon) 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 funds. All car toll fees are to be devoted to the charity, and it is hoped visitors will be particularly generous. By donating 3s 6d to the charity members of the public will be admitted as temporary members of the Golf Club.
Max Faulkner, whose golfing attire can be quite glamorous on these occasions, recently beat Peter Thomson, the Australian, British open champion for the past three years in the match
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Opening ceremonySeptember 1924
Bideford Amateur Athletic Club’s
commodious new premises in Pill-road, overlooking the park, were opened by the Mayor of the Borough, Mr F T Upton, JP, accompanied by members of the Corporation and a crown of many hundreds of old members, supporters, and well-wishers of the club.
Opening by the Mayor, Councillor F T Upton, J.P., of the new Gymnasium which has been provided for members of the Bideford Amateur Athletic Club
BAAC which was established in 1870 by six young men, who then used a shed in the shipyard, has become one of the most useful and successful institutes in the town, and is now housed in a manger worthy of its record. For many years, it used the Alexandra Hall on the Quay, and after that, through the kindness of the late alderman R Dymond, members utilised a loft adjoining the Manor Wharf.
In 1907 an appeal was launched for a building fund, and in 1914 it had been hoped to commence building, but with the coming of the war this had to be postponed, and after the war
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Top hats and frock coats19 July 1957
"Bert Hodge?
Always a chap to help you enjoy a laugh" so say his many friends.
Seen on the right is Mr Bert Hodge, who was responsible for this quartet dressing up in top hats and frock coats at Torrington Bowling Green.
"In the old days bowlers used to dress up like that and I thought it would cause some amusement if our rink did the same. Before the game in the county rinks championship at Torrington we marched around the green and then played a couple of ends," explained Mr Hodge. These four - left to right, Messrs F Vodden, R Walsh, W Plucknett and B Hodge - won the county rinks championship two years ago and have now won the North Devon section for three consecutive years.
Incidentally, the veteran standing in the background is Mr Jimmy Huxtable, of Bideford Bowling Club.
Gazette article 19 July 1957
Amateur rowers27 August 1954
With triumphant smiles
the Bideford Amateur Rowing Club senior crew, now champions of the West of England, pose for the camera before setting out on a training spin in preparation for the National championships at Shoreham when they will be representing the West of England Amateur Rowing Association.
Members of the crew are: F R Way, L Bright, W Lee, J Edwards, and G Tithecott
The Club’s junior crew of K Hearn, G Cox, J Eastmond, R Cann, and J Evans who have won the Junior Championship of the West of England will also be competing there in the open senior fours. This crew are prevented by National Amateur Association rules from contesting the national junior title because they won the junior fours event at Bideford Regatta last year after they had gained the novice championship.
Gazette article dated 27 August 1954
Skittles27 April 1956
Here are the victorious Sunbeams, who are a Bideford Liberal Club team
They are: Mesdames E Waldron, G Taylor, R Evans, C Lucas, D Hammett, O Nicholls
Skippered by Mrs Olive Nicholls, the Torridge Sunbeams prevented a Bideford eclipse when they won the women’s championship in the North Devon Skittles Association’s annual championships at the BAAC Hall, Bideford, on Monday evening.
It was in the final that the Sunbeams really shone, however, rattling up a score of 306 to defeat the Merry Macs, of Fremington, by 16 pins.
The Merry Macs took a two-pin lead in the first rub but the Sunbeams were three up in the next rub and they stayed in front to the end. Spares of 17 and 13 in the third rub by Mrs C Lucas and Mrs R Evans contributed to a third rub of 61 for the Sunbeams, the best of the game, which gave them a lead of 14. In the next rub Mrs E Waldron and Mrs D Hammett weighed in with spares of 12 and 11 and the Sunbeams were 22 up. The Bideford team slipped badly in the fourth leg,
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Chess afternoons24 January 1964
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
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Successful junior team22 October 1965
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
The season's signings20 August 1954
The familiar shout of ‘How’s That?’
from Micky Pate as he appeals for an offside decision from the referee is music to the ears of Bideford soccer fans who in the past two weeks have had the opportunity of judging the paces of the close season signings made by player-manager Ray Goddard.
Pictured are the two teams that played in the Robins’ final trial last Saturday. Players who are not included are Ray Goddard, Tom Robinson, Bill Harrower, Cecil Knox, Paddy Blatchford and Laurie Miller.
In the Blues team are: Green, King, Salter, Commins, Heagarty, Rivers, Hocking, Slade, D Jones, G Gidley, Miller
The Reds: McGill, Hodge, Pate, Salter, F Gidley, Price, Denton, Barnes, T Jones, Drew, Shortridge.
Gazette article dated 20 August 1954
Family tradition20 February 1970
Mr Charles Husband (Chuck) Gibson
who has died at the age of 83 was professional at the Royal North Devon Golf Club from 1932 to 1954.
He followed in that position his father, also Mr C H Gibson – it is a family tradition that the eldest son is baptised Charles Husband. At the time of his death Mr Gibson senr. held the world record for the longest serving professional.
An Old Boy of Bideford Grammar School, the young Chuck entered his father’s professional shop at the Westward Ho! course in1900 and worked there for 9 years. The firm of Gibson and Son achieved an enviable reputation for handsome clubs. It pioneered steel-shafted clubs in this country and exported them all over the world.
In 1909 young Charles was appointed professional to the Oxford University and after five years’ war service he returned to Oxford until 1923 when he rejoined his father at Westward Ho!
He was twice president of Northam Golf Club and also served as president of Northam and Westward Ho! Chamber of
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Retained trophy14 February 1969
And then beat Cornwall
The three players seen at the table – Brian Colome, George Harris and Tony Marsh – are well and truly hoisting Bideford’s flag in snooker spheres. A week ago they retained the County Players Number 6 Trophy, defeating Exeter Trevelyans 351 points to 285 in front of a good crowd at Bideford Conservative Club.
The match did not live up to its promise and it was not exciting.
As champions of Devon they played Cornwall in the first round of the Southern Counties Area and won. A great win made possible by two excellent frames by George Harris.
Gazette article dated 14 February 1969
Thousands of visitors expectedApril 1975
25,000-Plus Visitors Expected For June Golf Tournament
At least 25,000 people are expected to visit Torridgeside for the Martini golf tournament being held at the Royal North Devon Golf Club from June 11-14.
Martini themselves are inviting over 2,000 guests to the first major tournament to be held at Westward Ho! for 40 years.
Revealing this to a meeting of Northam District Chamber of Commerce, Mr John Linaker said the event would benefit the whole area. It would attract people who would spend money and he hoped it would stimulate an extension of the local holiday season.
In this tournament of international standing, 130 players in the PGA order of merit in 1974 were eligible to compete and Martini also invited 10 guest players. It was costing in the region of £50,000 to promote, not counting the prize money.
There would be no charge for the general public to follow the tournament – “Martini have never charged at any tournament.” A charge...
Gazette article dated April 1975
FishingApril 1975
For nearly four years
the cash prize awaiting the Bideford and District Angling Club member to land the first specimen fish in competition has lain unclaimed. But on Sunday, Mr and Mrs Peter Mitchell, of Northdown Road, Bideford, struck the jackpot together while fishing at Instow.
Peter landed a new club record flounder of 2lb 9oz to win the competition and more than £15 in pool money. And his wife, Pam, hauled in a flounder of exactly 2lb to also top the specimen weight and win nearly £5 in the ladies’ section pool.
Not content with that, Mrs Mitchell also landed a bass of over 5lb and three flounders of more than 1lb a piece – and that enabled her to take second and third places behind her husband in the open competition and first, second and third in the ladies’ section.
Gazette article April 1975
Home is at InstowApril 1975
the cricket season is just around the corner
and during the winter months coaching sessions have been held regularly at Bideford Sports Hall.
Receiving advice from Gloucestershire cricketer David Shepherd, whose home is at Instow, is young Lester Bird - a member of a family which has given many years service to Bideford Cricket Club.
Looking on - Lester's father Mervyn and grandfather Cecil, who although in his seventies will be umpiring once again next season.
April 1975 Gazette article
Closely contested matchesMarch 1975
Outstanding individual displays
by Kim Metherell of the Ship-on-Launch and Elizabeth Copp of Appledore British Legion were features of the annual finals night of Bideford Ladies’ Darts League.
On her way to the pairs championship with Jill Bale, Mrs Copp defeated her mother Henrietta Brennan and partner Doris Hare. Kim Metherell beat fellow player Christine Hill.
The Appleblossom team – Mesdames Jenny Cawsey, Audrey Andrews, Jean Eldidge, Sylvia Sanders, Mary Collings and Nesta Tucker
March 1975
Closely contested matchesFebruary 1975
Twenty of North Devon’s most promising girl tennis players
took part in a match between Bideford and Barnstaple Junior Tennis Schools at Westward Ho!
The under-14 section was closely contested with the Bideford girls winning 4-3 with three drawn. The more experienced Bideford under-16 team romped to a 4-0 win with one match drawn.
Bideford Junior Tennis School provides all-the-year-round coaching for 40-50 local youngsters at Edgehill College, Bideford Sports Hall and the Westward Ho! courts under the guidance of Mr Bob Clarke.
Players of the matches included – Julie Bowden, Debbie Sharpe, Elizabeth Hussell, Tessa Dean, Mandy Poyndon, Jennie Edgecombe, Judith Furnell, Carol Thorne, Elizabeth Warrener, L Roper, Wendy Macuauley-Black, Julia Snell. Mary Johns, Jane Simmonds, Sally Edgecombe, and Kate Sweenie.
February 1975
North Devon team5 May 1978
Two wins for track and field club
Victorious under-15 team - Stephen Spry, Dave Bryant, Garry Stanbury, Robin Looms and Stephen Cook. Also in the team was Andrew Chambers
In their first season the North Devon Track and Field Club carried off two championships and came runners-up in four more after the final race of the season in the North Devon Cross-Country League, held in Bideford.
They took the boys' under-15 team title and Ricky Butler, unbeaten in his five races, became the senior individual champion.
The club also gained runners-up positions in the team events for Colts, under 11 girls and under 13 girls and Adrian Ivory and Nigel Holmes were second and third in the Colts' individual championship.
Robin Looms, who won his race, came third in the boys' under 15 individual championship.
Gazette article dated 5 May 1978
"The finest performance"23 May 1969
Cheers!
Eleven elated Robins raise the Western League runners' up tankards they received at the Sports Ground after they defeated a Devon Professional XI 3-2.
Presenting the tankards the man of the League, Mr Reg Broome, declared "The performance I saw tonight was the finest I have witnessed by a Western League side this season. Judging by this, Bideford ought to have gone one better and won the League." But the grins suggest that the Robins were quite pleased to be runners up.
Gazette article dated 23 May 1969