1895 ATHLETICS CLUB (FOUNDATION to 1914)

Dorset Constabulary Athletics Club   PART 1/ Founders

    Before I start I would like to thank Sylvia COLLINS for letting me use her great grandfathers photographs which he took with his own camera.  He was the only “CID” officer in the Constabulary at the time, so it may have been a police issued camera.   If have not seen Sylvia’s blog, then check it out now ! Sylvia has also a chapter on the Athletics day.

www.grandadbeck.co.uk

  This is a concise history of the Club, starting at the beginning with the meeting in November 1895 which was held at Dorchester Constabulary Headquarters, by senior ranks of the Force, to form an internal Athletics club. It was in the days when many sporting clubs were being set up, many years before the Cinema and TV. It is possible it was an idea put to the bosses by Sgt Edwin LEGG, as there were competitive athletics and cycling events held in Bridport from 1893 in which the local Police took part, where Sgt LEGG served.

  At this time in 1895 there were no other “County “ Constabulary’s that had Athletics clubs, but various “City” Forces had had them for several years. There are early records of the Metropolitan and Manchester City Forces having organised sporting events as far back as 1870, some involving several other local Forces in their areas. There were some very interesting events recorded, my favourite being the eight hour walking race, YES,  eight hours, to see how far an officer could walk, presumably in uniform.  In 1878 at the Manchester City Athletics festival, a Salford policeman managed to walk 40 miles in the eight hours, only just beating one of his colleagues and his prize presumably was a new pair of boots.

All sorts of events were listed at various City Constabulary sporting occasions, and here is a good list. The sack race, the hop skip and jump race, wrestling, quoits, tossing the caber, the three legged race, long jump, high jump, the blindfold wheelbarrow race, throwing the cricket ball, winding the cord, throwing the 16 pound hammer, shot putt, the one mile race in full uniform, chase the thief and of course the team event, tug-of-war.

With all these other country wide events, this was probably the reason why Dorset wanted to get involved. On the other hand, it may have come about as a result of PC Henry CARTER who in March 1895 whilst at Broadway came across two men whose military bearing drew his suspicion that they may be deserters from the Army. The two men on realising PC CARTER had suspicions decided to run off in the direction of Dorchester. PC CARTER tried to follow at a good pace but the two were very athletic, compared to PC CARTER ,who was carrying some extra baggage. After about a mile, with the constable who was now well behind, his fortunes changed as he spotted a member of the public in the distance so he started blowing his police whistle. The sound of the whistle made the two athletes divert off the road and into some allotments and then open fields, which then turned the pursuit into more like an obstacle race. The two deserters then hid in a hayrick. Now playing another game called hide and seek the offenders were lost for a short time. However, PC CARTER did not give up and then secured the help of two other athletic civilians to help locate them which took about another hour.   The two escaped athletes were then detained and taken into custody at Upwey where George SMALL and Richard SHARPLES admitted being deserters from the Royal Artillery at Weymouth. 

  Supt William PLUMMER (Dorchester HQ), realising his men needed to be physically fitter for the then modern day policing, championed the cause of an Athletics Club. It was he, that was made Chairman of the Athletics club at its inaugural meeting. The Chief Constable Capt AMYATT appealed for funds on behalf of the club and donations were received from Lord ILCHESTER,  Lord PORTMAN,  Colonel BRYMER MP,  Colonel WILLIAMS MP,  Hon H STURT MP,  Mr DIGBY MP and other country gentlemen. A meeting of members of the Force was held at Dorchester, for the purposes of electing officers, framing rules and making arrangements for an annual sports event.

Present were:       

Deputy Chief Constable HAINS, who took the chair.

Superintendents: HAZZARD,  MARSH,  BROOKS,  SIMPSON, and  PLUMMER. 

Inspectors:            BROWN and BURDEN.

Sergeants:             LONG,  LEGG,  CHAFFEY,  COLLINS,  KING,  SAINT and                BATTRICK.

Constables:           STRODE,  BOWLES,  CORNICK and  BURRIDGE.

Capt AMYATT was unanimously elected president, and the Supt’s and Insp’s were elected vice presidents.

The following officers were elected on the committee from the different areas:

Sgt   CHAFFEY       Beaminster

Sgt   LONG             Blandford

PC    BURRIDGE     Cerne

Sgt   KING              Dorchester

Sgt   BATTRICK      Shaftesbury

PC   CORNICK        Sturminster Newton

PC   STRODE          Sherborne

Sgt   COLLINS        Wareham

PC   BOWLES         Wimborne

Sgt   SAINT             Poole

The draft rules were passed and it was decided to try two meetings during 1896, the first being at Dorchester and a subsequent one to rotate at Poole,  Bridport or Wimborne.  The next meeting of the club took place in March 1896, where the sub-committee suggested the program of events with approximate costs and a date was decided for the first meeting at Dorchester where a police band would also play. The railway companies agreed to run cheap trains and another sub-committee was chosen to make ground arrangements.

1896

    The first Dorset Constabulary Athletics Club meeting was advertised to take place at the Dorchester Recreation Ground on Weymouth Avenue on Thursday 25^th June 1896 at 1400 hours. Thursday was chosen instead of a weekend as it was half day closing for the shops in those days and therefore should attract more spectators. The sports would consist of Bicycle, Donkey, Flat, Hurdle and Obstacle races. There would also be the catch a thief race, a walking match and the ambulance competition.  The Tug-of-war was to be between a police team and the Royal Artillery. The Band of the Southampton Borough Police was to perform during the afternoon. Mr J PORTER had kindly consented to give a performance with his cleverly trained animals including the celebrated talking pony “Bill”. A grand promenade concert was to be held in the evening when many well known singers were to appear. Refreshments of all kinds were to be made available on the grounds. Admission was 6d, or 2 shillings 6 pence with a carriage, soldiers and sailors in uniform and children under 12, were half price.  Tickets could be purchased at Constabulary stations throughout the county and from any of the railway companies.

The local papers reported the event was attended and was a very satisfactory success although with the large programme of events it was a surprise they got through all the races within one afternoon. There was also a collection made on the ground in aid of Provincial Police Orphanage so that the children could be provided with clothes, maintenance and education.

Various members of the community and police senior ranks were used as judges and officials and the list of donors of prizes, were Capt AMYATT and the following companies: Hibbert & Co,  Livett Frank & Co,  Christy & Co, Sunlight Soap Co,  Foster & Co,  A J Symonds,  Godwin,  Thurman,  Hazel,  Jackman,  Scriven, Tilley,  Pouncy,  Frisby, Robinson and Ling, Dorchester Cash Tailoring Co, Hannah and Holland and J Goldie & Co.

The results were published in the western gazette a few days later with their prizes.

One mile walking race:

1:   PC W   HIGGINS            (butter dish)      

2:   PC H   VATCHER             (pair of boots)                      

3:   PC       DAMON              (hot water jug)       

 others that took part :   PC R PEARCE,      PC W J DAVIS   and   PC W J CHURCHILL

One mile bicycle handicap race, under 7 years, service:

1:   PC W   BOWLES               (lamp)              

2:   PC SC   GROVES               (biscuit box)                           

3:   PC R   HAYWARD             (set of carvers).

In a heat PC  BISHOP and  SPRACKLING collided and SPRACKLING’s machine was twisted up.

Putting the shot:

1:   PC T   CARTER                  (brief bag)  

2:   PC T   LARCOMBE            (photo album)            

3:    PC W   BOWLES               (pipe)

220 yards flat race, over 20 years, service:

1:   SGT W   LONG                  (tea caddy)                      

2:   PC H   GOULD                  (brief bag)                

3:   PC W   ANDREWS             (umbrella)

Donkey race (one lap)

1:   PC   MANUEL                    (cruet)           

2:   PC    PRIDE                        (lamp)                  

3:   PC H   SPRACKLING        (bread and board knife)

One mile bicycle handicap in uniform, under 12 years, service:

1:   PC F   HANSFORD            (Gladstone bag)  

2:    PC W   BOWLES               (egg cruet)  

3:   PC SC   GROVES               (knives and forks)     

4:   PC H   ELLIOTT                (biscuit box)             

5:   PC T   HANSFORD           (case of spoons) 

6:   PC W   MILLER

One mile bicycle handicap (7 – 15 years, service)

1:   PC F   HANSFORD           (silver cruet)                    

2:   PC T   HANSFORD            (spoons)              

3:   PC     ELLIOTT                   (teapot)

Ambulance Competition: application of splints and bandages for fractures and bleeding

1:   PC W   MEECH               (writing desk)    

2:   PC H   SPRACKLING      (bread trencher and knife) 

3:   PC J   SIMS                      (coffee pot)     

4:   PC J   SEARLEY                (knife)      

5:   PC I   CONWAY               (pipe)

Catch the thief race: The thief gets 20 yards start but carries a 4 lb bundle of stolen clothing.

Winner   PC J   SIMS             (pair of trousers worth 21 shillings)

120 yards hurdle race:

1:   PC V   WHITE                    (teapot)                   

2:    PC I   CONWAY                (ink stand)                               

3:   PC F   HANSFORD            (set of jugs)

One mile bicycle handicap (over 15 years, service)

1:   PC   SHEPHERD               (teapot)                                  

 2:   PC H   SPRACKLING       (kettle)               

3:   SGT   LONG                      (bronze clock)   

winner won in 3 mins 17 seconds

Quarter mile flat race:

1:    PC J    SIMS                     (brasses)                                  

2:   PC I   CONWAY                (pair of shoes)       

3:   PC   VATCHER                  (knife)

winner  won in 1min 34.5 seconds

One mile bicycle handicap in uniform (over 12 years, service)

1:   PC   SHEPHERD              (special lamp)                     

 2:   PC H   SPRACKLING      (biscuit barrel)                    

 3:   SGT W   LONG                (clock)                              

 4:   PC   STRODE                   (lamp)

Obstacle race:                                                                    

1:   PC   UFFIN                      (pair of carvers)          

2:   PC   VATCHER                (two butter knives)                 

3:   PC V   WHITE                  (razor)

Two miles bicycle championship, Challenge Cup.

Winner to receive box of cigars (to help his breathing afterwards)

1:   PC F   HANSFORD            

 2:   PC W   BOWLES          

 3:   PC H   ELLIOTT

One mile flat race:

1:   PC   SYMES                        (chair)             

2:   PC   BISHOP                      (clock)                                                         

3:   PC T   HANSFORD            (pair of opera glasses)

100 yards flat race:

1:   PC V   WHITE                       (pair of carvers)                

2:   PC   VATCHER                      (clock)                            

 3:   PC D   SYMES                      (walking stick)

Tilting at the bucket:

1:   PC MEECH &   SYMES            (2lbs of tobacco) 

2:   PC   PRIDE &   UFFIN             (pipes) 

3:   PC   KELLAWAY &   MAJOR    (pair of nut crackers and a pickle fork)

CHALLENGE CUP,  presented by the Chief Constable for the most efficient competitor:   PC J SIMS

TUG OF WAR:

Dorset Police v Royal Artillery

Police won by two pulls and each man won 10 shillings

TUG OF WAR:

Married versus single policemen

Married won by two pulls and won 30 shillings.

All the prizes were awarded by Mrs Captain Amyatt, the last being awarded well in top dusk and the large crowd eventually cleared by ten o’clock

   In September, the second event took place at the Poole Park cycle track, however there was only a small turn out, partly down to insufficient advertising. The band of the 1^st V.B.D.R played selections of music during the afternoon and as at the Dorchester event, prizes where handed out by the Chief Constables wife.

The programme of events and results were:

One mile walking match:

1:   PC   LARCOME        (Fontmell Magna)        

2:   PC   VATCHER,        (Corscombe)                    

3:   PC   CLARKE            (Corfe Mullen)

One mile bicycle handicap, under 10 years, service

1:   PC F   HANSFORD  (Burton Bradstock)            

2:   PC   COOK               (Poole)                          

3:   PC   GOLDRING      (Poole)

220 yards flat race, men over 16 yrs,  service

1:   PC    SHEPHERD    (Longham)                 

2:   SGT   KIMBER        (Wimborne)                         

3:   SGT   LONG           (Broadwey)

One mile bicycle handicap:

1:   PC   ELLIOTT         (Chideock)                  

2:   SGT   KIMBER        (Wimborne)                            

3:   SGT   LONG           (Broadwey)

100 yards flat race:

1:   PC COOK                  

2:   PC   HINE              (Sturminster Newton)                                           

3:   PC   CORNICK       (Marnhull)

Tilting at the bucket:

1:   PC   ORCHARD  (Poole) and   MABER   (Longfleet)                                                      

2:   PC   HAINS   (Bridport) and  SGT   KING  (Dorchester)

Two mile bicycle championship:

1:   PC F   HANSFORD            

2:   PC   ELLIOTT                         

3:   PC   GOLDRING

One mile flat race:

1:    PC   ANDREWS      (Salterns)       

2:    PC   HINE          

3:    PC   SIMS              (Yetminster)

This photograph above is taken from “Bobbies on the Beat”, with thanks ro Melvin HANN and of course is part of the previous wider photograph.

Wheelbarrow race, 40 yards blindfolded:

1:   PC’s   HINE and   CORNICK           

2:   PS     SAINT (Parkstone)   and    PC   ANDREWS         

3:   PC’s  MABER   and   DUBBIN   (Poole)

One mile bicycle handicap, open to other civilian clubs:

1:   W PLUMLEY, Poole CC    

2:   W SEEVIOUR, Branksome  Ramblers                          

 3:   PC   ELLIOTT.

Quarter mile flat race:

1:    PC   SIMS                              

2:    PC   ANDREWS                          

3:    PC   CLARKE

Putting the shot:

1:   SGT  SAINT                  

2:   PC   SWATRIDGE     (Bourne Valley)                                                     

 3:   PC   BAULCH          (Sturminster Newton)

Three mile bicycle handicap:

1:   PC F   HANSFORD            

2:   PC   ELLIOTT        

3:   PC   BOWLES          (Lytchett Minster)

Tug of war:

Dorset beat Hampshire Constabulary

1897

    In June 1897   the 2^nd annual event again took place at Dorchester recreation ground.  The ground was laid out in a most attractive and convenient manner with a grand trades’ exhibition which showed off the local trades in a spacious marquee, which included a fine display of “K” boots by Messrs. Morton.

 A pleasing selection of music was played by the Dorchester Military Band, and refreshments were supplied again by Mr SCRIVEN. A good number of spectators attended to watch the following events and here are the results.

One mile walking handicap match:

1:   H   VATCHER        ( Dorchester)               

 2:   J R   HUSSEY         (Broadmayne)                               

 3:   C   DAMON          (Thorncombe)

Quarter mile flat handicap:

1:   D   SYMES             (Blandford)            

2:    V E   WHITE          (Bradpole)            

3:    J   SIMS                (Yetminster)

One mile bicycle handicap (all UK police forces)

1:     B BAKER               Bristol police           

2:    H   ELLIOTT          (Chideock )  

3:   G   FRY                    Bristol.

Putting the shot

1:    T   CARTER           (Winterborne Kingston)           

2:    S  LARCOMBE      (Tarrant Hinton)         

3:    W   SAINT             (Parkstone)

220 yards flat handicap

1:   H   SHEPHERD     ( Longham)          

2:    W   LONG             (Broadwey)         

3:    E   LEGG               ( Bridport)

One mile bicycle handicap under 12 years, service:

1:    J W   UFFIN          (Branksome)       

2:   W   BOWLES        (Lytchett)          

3:   W   ADAMS          (Bridport)  

One mile bicycle handicap over 12 years, service:

1:   H   ELLIOTT         (Chideock)             

2:   H   SHEPHERD    (Longham)   

3:   E   LEGG              (Bridport)

Tilting the bucket:  ( google it or go to youtube)

1:    J   LIGHT (Puddletown) and   A   PRIDE  (Dorchester)                                                    

2:   S   BISHOP and   J   CONWAY Sherborne                                                                         

3:   A   KELLAWAY  (Beaminster)   and   A   RICHARDSON (Gillingham)

100 yards flat race:

1:    D   SYMES       (Blandford)            

2:    J   SIMS            (Yetminster)        

3:    VE   WHITE     (Bradpole)

 others:   F BISHOP    (Sherborne),     H SHEPHERD    (Longham)     and                           J SYMES    (Dorchester)

Three mile bicycle handicap, open to UK forces

1:    B   BAKER           Bristol       

2:   H   ELLIOTT        (Chideock)      

3:   W   BOWLES       (Lytchett Minster)

Best dressed rider in character:

A PRIDE (Dorchester)

Donkey race:

1:    WJ   MANUEL    (Bere Regis)                    

2:   A   PRIDE            (Dorchester)

Obstacle race:

1:   H   VATCHER     (Dorchester )      

 2:   VE   WHITE       (Bradpole)                                           

3:   I   CONWAY     (Longburton)

One mile flat handicap:

1:   F   BISHOP       (Upwey )         

2:    VE   WHITE     (Bradpole)         

3:    J   SIMS           ( Yetminster)

Championship bicycle race

1:    F   HANSFORD holder ( Burton Bradstock )

2:   W   BOWLES           ( Lytchett Minster)

Others: H ELLIOTT  , JW UFFIN and   HANSFORD  kept the cup .

TUG OF  WAR:

Dorset won the first two pulls against Wiltshire Constabulary and below is the winning team.

Back five row left to right:

PC’s   Arthur SWATRIDGE,    William RICHARDSON,    Sgt William GROVES,                 PC’s    Albert CULL,    Albert KELLAWAY,     and    James STOCKLEY.

Seated:  PC David NORTHOVER,      Supt William PLUMMER (trainer)   and             PC George CORNICK  

Lying down and posing:    PC’S Tom OTTER   and    Tom LARCOMBE.

This photograph was cherished by the Chief Constable who took it to the Police Committee meeting in July 1897, to show how physically fit his Force was. One of the Committee Mr G SALISBURY responded by saying that the Police team was one, the county could be proud of, the physique of the men generally being first class.  The photograph was also later published in the Police Review dated 17^th December 1897 (above), with a short article about the team’s success and details of the officers.

1898

  The 3^rd annual event took place in 1898 again at Dorchester.

The band of the 85^th Kings Shropshire Light Infantry from Portsmouth played during the programme and also during the evening for the dancing. A grand stand was erected, the seating of which was covered in red cloth and the whole structure made gay with flags and flowers.  Luncheon was served in a pavilion on the ground for the competitors and bandsmen before the events and refreshments were supplied by Mr SCRIVEN from the Plume of Feathers.

During the meeting there was also a display by a team of Army gymnastic staff and a musical ride by the 7^th Field Battery, Royal Artillery and PC RICHARDSON was presented with a silver medal for saving the life of a child a few months earlier at a burning house in Bridport.  No records of the event results have been located so far.

1899

   On the 22^nd June 1899 the 4th annual event took place under the control of Inspector  Soloman  DENNETT who had taken over as Honourable Secretary. This year it was the band of the 2^nd Battalion of Northumberland Fusiliers from Portland who performed during the afternoon and evening. There were extra exciting events added to the schedule, such as tent pegging and lemon cutting and refreshments again were from Mr SCRIVEN and sweets by Mr VIRGIN.  Unfortunately none of the results were published so maybe Mr SCRIVEN over refreshed the western gazette journalist.  

1900

   In 1900 the weather was described as wet, in fact it chucked it down all afternoon, on the Thursday at the Dorchester recreation ground. The decision to start the event was made at the last minute which meant the band turned up late, although in the meantime the officials and friends enjoyed a soggy lunch which Mr SCRIVEN’s refreshments helped to dispel the dispiriting state of the weather outside.

Despite the rain all the officers competing, made a jolly good show and somehow all 16 events were completed. The winners were presented with either money of prizes of other value. 

The results being:

Football Race.  Running with a football presumably !

1:    Sgt J   SIMS           (Dorchester)              

2:   PC V E   WHITE       (Dorchester)                             

3:   PC S   GROVE         (Handley)

Throwing the cricket Ball

1:    PC H   VATCHER     (Dorchester)            

2:   PC V E   WHITE                                             

3:   PC T   LARCOMBE    (Lulworth)

100 Yards Flat Race (handicap)

1:   Sgt J   SIMS                           

2:   PC S C   GROVES                                                                       

3:   PC H   MATTHEWS    (Blandford)

Putting the Shot

1:   PC S WOODMAN    (Dorchester)                        

2:   PC T   LARCOMBE                                

3:   PC T   CARTER         (Steepleton)

Obstacle Race

1:   PC J    STOCKLEY    (Puddletown)         

2:   PC H   VATCHER                                             

3:    PC H   MATTHEWS

One mile bicycle (handicap)

1:   PC S   BISHOP         (Upwey)           

2:   PC  V E   WHITE          

3:   PC J   UFFIN            (Branksome)

One mile walking match

1:   PC SC   GROVES               

2:   PC W   HIGGINS     (Whitchurch)                                                    

3:   PC A   JOLLIFFE      (Wimborne)

120 yards hurdle race

1:   PC V E   WHITE                          

2:   PC H   MATTHEWS                                                       

3:   PC G   BARTLETT     (Blandford)

Tilting the bucket

1:  PC A    RICHARDSON  (Evershot) and   PC G   CORNICK   (Poole)                                  

2:   PC S    BISHOP (Nether Compton)and  PC C   LIGHT   (Yetminster)                             

3:   PC A   PRIDE (Dorchester) and PC  H   VATCHER

Quarter mile flat handicap

1:   PC J R   WHITE            (Upwey)        

2:   PC G H   BARTLETT       

 3:   PC V E   WHITE

Roadster bicycle race for novices. The weight of the machine not less than 28 pounds.

1:   Sgt J   SIMS                         

2:   PC I   CONWAY       (Bridport)                                              

3:   PC W   HIGGINS     (Winterborne Whitchurch)

100 yards flat handicap (over 20 years service)

1:   PC F   NORTHOVER (Milborne St Andrew)              

2:   Sgt W   KIMBER                          

3:   PC A   STRODE       (Winterborne Kingston)

TUG OF WAR

Dorset Constabulary beat Weymouth Borough Force in the first round and then beat the Southern Reserve team in the final,who had already beaten the Dorchester Army Depot.

Three mile bicycle handicap race

1:   PC F   BISHOP                       

2:   PC H   POWELL                   

3:   PC I A   CONWAY

One mile flat handicap

1:   PC A   COURAGE                        

2:   PC S   BISHOP                 

3:   Sgt J   SIMS

Costume bicycle race

1:   PC H   POWELL                     

2:   PC J   JAMES                        

3:   PC V E   WHITE

Championship bicycle race, three miles run to time.

The track was divided into three lanes and the riders drew for places so they kept in lanes and started at different times.

1:   PC F   BISHOP                            

 2:   PC H  POWELL

Consolation race

1:  PC   CHURCHILL                   

2:  PC   RIDEOUT                           

3:  PC   MEECH

1901

  In the summer of June 1901 the event also turned out to be a damp affair as the rain drizzled all day and it was also hit by heavy fog.  Although a large number of tickets had been sold in advance the weather had a big bearing on the turn out, although the grand stand was full and a fair number of people were in the field nearest to the entrance.

There were 19 contested events which meant the last event was timed to take place at half past seven in the evening. Other attractions included a driving competition by the chestnut troop of the Royal Horse Artillery and in the marquee a varied gymnastics display by the Army staff and music was played by the 1^st Battalion Kings Own who came all the way from Aldershot. The large marquee was put up by Sgt Major BOWLES and his men and was needed due to the weather. This was Sgt BOWLES 2^nd year as secretary and therefore the main organiser of the event, but he was not having much luck as again after a dry spell the rain did not help the events and in total there were only about a thousand spectators.

These were some of the results:

Football race

1:    PC W   BLEATHMAN                      

2:    PC J R    WHITE             

3:    PC V E   WHITE

Photograph of Walter BLEATHMAN from around this era,  maybe in his football kit,  cricket ball throwing kit,  tug-o-war kit,  in fact only kit !

Throwing cricket ball

1:    PC H    VATCHER                 

2:    PC V E   WHITE                    

3:    PC W   BLEATHMAN

100 yards flat race handicap

 1: PC H LAWRENCE  in 11.8 seconds:?

 others PC V E WHITE, PC J R WHITE, PC G CLARKE, PC J J CHURCHILL and PC J HINE.

 Vic WHITE won his heat even though he was wearing a jacket and bowler hat to the amusement of the crowd. Lawrence won the final in 11 seconds dead. 

 

Putting the shot

1:   PC T   CARTER                            

2:   PC A   RICHARDSON                                              

 3:   PC T  LARCOMBE, Carter was described as the popular constable from Winterborne Abbas

Obstacle race

1:   PC C   HUNT                

2:   PC V E   WHITE              

3:   PC H   MATTHEWS

One mile bicycle race (handicap)

1:    PC F   BISHOP               

2:   PC J   JAMES                 

3:   PC H   POWELL

120 Yards flat race, handicap, over 20 years, service

1:    PC A   STRODE           

2:   PC H   SPRACKLING       

3:   PC W   TALBOT

120 Yards hurdle race

1:   PC V E   WHITE           

2:   PC H    MATTHEWS            

3:   PC JR   WHITE

One bicycle race, handicap over 15 years, service

1:   PC H   SPRACKLING                 

2:   PC H   ELLIOTT

  In the tug-of-war Dorset won easily in their heat by seeing off the Royal Horse Artillery and then in a confusing and close fought tussle lost to Weymouth Borough Police in the final. This was the first year the team had lost since the inauguration of the annual event.

Dorset team was coached by Sgt GROVES and were: PC’s   CORNICK,   CARTER, LARCOMBE,   SWATRIDGE,   BARTLETT,   THOMAS,   FARLEY,    RICHARDSON, SCOTT and   STOCKLEY.

Weymouth’s victorious team was coached by Insp MORRIS and were: Sgts LOVELESS and SAINT and PC’s   RICE,   WEBB,   MARTIN,   MARSH,   PALMER, HUTCHINGS,   HANSFORD and   MOWLEM.

Although this is not related, 1901 was the year that Dorchester got its electrical power supply.

1902

   In 1902 the  tug-o-war competition was highly anticipated and the main event, with Weymouth being the small borough Force realising that they now had a team that could compete with the County Force.  Bearing in mind their Force was about a fifth of the size of the County Force they knew under their new coaching chief officer Inspector DAY that they had been well drilled and were gaining in confidence and experience.    Sgt’s LOVELESS and SAINT were the backbone of their team again with PC’s  MARTYN,   PALMER,   HUTCHINGS,  HANSFORD,    KINDEN,    MOWLEM,    MARSH and   WEBB making up their ten. Their team again walked away with the cup to the astonishment of the large crowd as this was the second time they had witnessed the County team lose.

PS Frank BISHOP won the all around best athlete award.

1903

  In 1903 the event had expanded so now there were twenty events and Sgt Major BOWLES of the County Constabulary was under pressure to put Weymouth Borough Police back in their place.  BOWLES was now training the team and the DCC Supt MARSH was overseeing them as their captain. It was decided to bring anchor man Sgt  William GROVES ( Broadwey)  out of his tug of war retirement although by now he was nearly 40 years old. He was backed up by Sgt  SAINT  (Wimborne), PC’s  CULL (Bere Regis),   SCOTT (Preston),    HANN  (Cerne Abbas),   SLOW (Swanage),   LARCOMBE (Charminster),    CORNICK  (Dorchester),   STOCKLEY (Chickerell) and THOMAS  (Frampton).

 Weymouth Borough Police turned up with the same team and coach except PC MOWLEM had been replaced by PC BARTLETT. To the discomfort of the locals the Weymouth men took charge straight away and the local newspaper described them as the superior team who won the first two pulls which must have hurt as the Dorset’s, as they lost the cup for the 3^rd year running.

PS Frank BISHOP was unable to take part after doctors orders.

The other results were:

Throwing the cricket ball

1:    PC W   BLEATHMAN  (Branksome)      

2:    PC E    GILHAM      

3:    PC  V E WHITE   (Dorchester), winning throw  93 yards , 1 ft 9 inches.

100 yards flat race (handicap)

1:    PC  H    LAWRENCE  (Dorchester)  11. 2 seconds         

2:    PC W   BLEATHMAN          

3:    PC T   BROWN, 

other competitors   PC  V E  WHITE,    T HARDWICK (Portland),                                   H MATTHEWS (Kington Magna)

Putting the shot (handicap)

1:   PC H    LAWRENCE          

2:   PC T    BROWN          

3:   PC T    LARCOMBE (Charminster)

One mile bicycle race (handicap)

1:   PC H    LAWRENCE in 2 mins 29.2 seconds        

2:   PC J J    CHURCHILL (Branksome)     

3:   PC V E   WHITE

One mile flat race (handicap)

1:   PC H   LAWRENCE 5 minutes 41.4 seconds     

2:   PC A   COURAGE       (Sherborne)      

3:   PC H G   WESTCOTT  (Branksome)

Half mile bicycle race (handicap)

1:   PC W H   LIGHT    (Gillingham) in 1 minute 50.4 s                                                      

2:   PC F      SANSOM (Gillingham)         

3:   PC J      JAMES      (Thorncombe)

Tilting the bucket

1:   PC F G   VATCHER and A   RICHARDSON             

2:   PC H   JOYCE and T   HARDWICK 

3:   PC G   CLARKE and R   BURRIDGE

Roadster bicycle race for novices (one mile)

1:    PC T   FORD     (Nether Compton)   won in 3 mins 12 seconds       

2:    PC H W   JAMES (Shaftesbury)  

3:    PC R   FUDGE   (Shaftesbury) obviously the Gold Hill training did not pay off.

1904

   In July 1904,  Weymouth  Borough Police knew if they could win again this year, it would be three in a row and they would be able to keep the cup rather than just be the holders. Inspector MORRIS and his team had been putting in many more hours practise, and the only change this year was that PC HUTCHINGS had been replaced by PC MOORE.  The County team realised the consequences of losing so this year Supt Ambrose RICKETTS had been put in charge to make sure they got the cup back.  The County team had been reorganised and PC Arthur RICHARDSON had been brought back to help their strongman Sgt GROVES.   New blood had been also been brought in, with sportsmen PC’s  Harry LAWRENCE,   Henry   LANE,   John   WILLS,   William   BLUES and   Reg   KENT joining  Tommy   LARCOMBE,  Ernie   THOMAS and  James   STOCKLEY.              The new blood made no difference and Weymouth took the cup home for good.

1905

   In 1905 the Deputy Chief Constable decided to go back to the Counties old tried and tested ways so Supt Ambrose RICKETTS was told that he was no longer required to coach the team, and the new Sgt Major would take over as he had been in the original successful team along with Sgt GROVES in the old days.

Sgt Major SWATRIDGE advertised the event for Thursday 13^th July and this time there was to be a GRAND TUG OF WAR, however no mention was made of the holders Weymouth Borough Police.

Unfortunately the result of the GRAND TUG OF WAR is not recorded, so I cannot tell you at the moment who won.    How embarrassing that as I his great grand son does not know !  Maybe Weymouth Borough won again ?

1906

   1906 was again another year when it was unbelievably hard to find the results, were they not being printed?  Was it because it was embarrassing ? However here are two postcards from the event.

 ( Thanks to Sylvia COLLINS for the above photograph)

I cannot find  anything out about the 1907 and 1908 meetings. But here is a photograph from Tony CONWAY which we believe is the Bridport Tug of War team from circa 1908. Tony’s grandfather Isaac is thought to be far left standing and in front I think the Sgt is Frank BISHOP.