BackDevon Tour Report 2025 1 of 7
1. A brief history of the Ashford CC Devon tour
This year was the be the 77th Devon Tour. The first Devon Tour was made in 1947 when 32 Players and vice-presidents set off by coach to the Dartmoor Hotel, Bovey Tracey. The first tour match at Exmouth was won and the team was unbeaten during the week.
The originator of and moving spirit behind the Tour was Mr RH Thornhill our President. He organised the first tour and he continued to play and then manage it until 1988. It was his enthusiasm and love of the game, which contributed so much to every tour.
It was a male only event and players and supporters travelled by coach. The journey took all day and included a lengthy stop for lunch. Numbers were never a problem, and one had to book early for a seat on the coach.
Many are the good friends the Club has made in Devon who have always shown us hospitality and extended a warm welcome.
Laurie Beaumont was the longest surviving member of the first Devon Tour party, but he sadly passed away in 2004. Laurie also came on later tours as umpire.
The tour Headquarters in Devon have been changed from time to time but during the ‘60s we were happily accommodated at the Kings Arms, Ottery St. Mary. In earlier years the Club were at the Dartmoor Hotel, Bovey Tracey, the Edymead Hotel, Bovey Tracey, the Cranford Hotel, Exmouth, the Holme Park Hotel, Ashburton and Coombe Cellars, Shaldon.
Resulting from the tour it has been Ashford’s pleasure to welcome Exeter to Ashford during later years (as the Gents of Devon).
The fixture list built up in the late ‘40s and early ‘50s and became the norm for many years and included Torquay, Combined Services, South Devon, Exeter and Sidmouth.
By using a coach, it meant the touring party were generally together and the evening meal was usually arranged at a local hotel/restaurant. Members would pay in advance and ‘pocket money’, usually 2s/6d, would be issued for lunch each day.
The last time a coach was used was in 1954. Dennis Cornwell went on his first tour in 1952 and subsequently he did not miss a tour until 2004 (52 consecutive years!).
The ‘50s and ‘60s were the halcyon days, the party stayed at the Kings Arms Ottery for 18 years. The fixtures were consistent with Devon Dumplings and Midland Bank becoming regulars. Midland Bank always brought a strong side (all expenses paid!) and a competitive game was played on the Sidmouth ground. The evening involved other competitive sports including sprinting, egg throwing and catching and singing. During this period the weather was always good and supporters plentiful.
Regular guests included Ken Pluck and Brian from Saffron Waldon, Tom Oldknow and Maurice Machin from Wanstead, John Braithwaite and Mike Wilkinson from Laleham, Peter Durrant from Elmers End and Les Betts and Mike Fraser from Roehampton. If we needed a player or two, Twink somehow arranged for a Somerset player to fill in. Sidmouth was the Saturday fixture who included John Harris their groundsman. John was a good cricketer, great character and subsequently chairman of the Umpires Association.
The tour always finished with the ‘Last Supper’ at the Kings Arms.
In 1966 we celebrated the 21st tour (a year early!) with a number of functions and a party of over 40 people. Gordon Richardson produced a souvenir booklet for the occasion and copies are available on request.
In 1972 the Club joined the Surrey Championship. This meant juggling with the fixtures and some years only a 4-day tour was possible as the tour coincided with a Bank Holiday Monday.
During the ‘70s and ‘80s Exeter University became a regular fixture and occasional fixtures included Instow, Budleigh Salterton, Chard, Ottery St. Mary, Honiton, Duke of Cornwell’s XI and Tiverton.
Recently the tour headquarters has varied again and included a dubious Hotel in Sidmouth (the Royal London Hotel), Wyndham Terrace on the sea front, May Cottage and various other rented accommodation in an around Sidmouth.
During the ‘80s our playing strength was augmented by Roger Street from Twyford and his two team-mates Simon Preston and ‘Del Boy’ Mandair together with one or two from Knotty Green. Usually, our Australian import came on tour and sometimes brought a friend. The most famous being Dave Gilbert (ex Test player and ex Surrey CCC coach). On another occasion 4 Aussies stayed in Wyndham Terrace and amused themselves by driving golf balls from their beds into the sea (the windows were open) and organising beach parties.
During the late '90s we added Sandford to our tour fixture list and our headquarters was The Rising Sun pub in Sidford. Whilst the quality of our players was good, the quantity suffered during this period and we had to rely on guests obtained in Devon, usually from the University.
For the eight years between 1998 and 2006, the tour party has stayed at The Red House Hotel in Whipton Village. We have always received a warm welcome and all tourists seem to enjoy the location. During this time, the strength of numbers has grown and the tour has seen a mini revival. Long may this continue.
Not much has been written in this report regarding victories and losses, runs scored and wickets taken however, there have been many notable victories and very few thrashings. Exeter University, despite fielding a side including a number of their 1st XI on several occasions, have failed to record anything other than a defeat against us.
Anybody coming on tour will be assured of good entertainment, good cricket on good wickets and a restful holiday!!
The originator of and moving spirit behind the Tour was Mr RH Thornhill our President. He organised the first tour and he continued to play and then manage it until 1988. It was his enthusiasm and love of the game, which contributed so much to every tour.
It was a male only event and players and supporters travelled by coach. The journey took all day and included a lengthy stop for lunch. Numbers were never a problem, and one had to book early for a seat on the coach.
Many are the good friends the Club has made in Devon who have always shown us hospitality and extended a warm welcome.
Laurie Beaumont was the longest surviving member of the first Devon Tour party, but he sadly passed away in 2004. Laurie also came on later tours as umpire.
The tour Headquarters in Devon have been changed from time to time but during the ‘60s we were happily accommodated at the Kings Arms, Ottery St. Mary. In earlier years the Club were at the Dartmoor Hotel, Bovey Tracey, the Edymead Hotel, Bovey Tracey, the Cranford Hotel, Exmouth, the Holme Park Hotel, Ashburton and Coombe Cellars, Shaldon.
Resulting from the tour it has been Ashford’s pleasure to welcome Exeter to Ashford during later years (as the Gents of Devon).
The fixture list built up in the late ‘40s and early ‘50s and became the norm for many years and included Torquay, Combined Services, South Devon, Exeter and Sidmouth.
By using a coach, it meant the touring party were generally together and the evening meal was usually arranged at a local hotel/restaurant. Members would pay in advance and ‘pocket money’, usually 2s/6d, would be issued for lunch each day.
The last time a coach was used was in 1954. Dennis Cornwell went on his first tour in 1952 and subsequently he did not miss a tour until 2004 (52 consecutive years!).
The ‘50s and ‘60s were the halcyon days, the party stayed at the Kings Arms Ottery for 18 years. The fixtures were consistent with Devon Dumplings and Midland Bank becoming regulars. Midland Bank always brought a strong side (all expenses paid!) and a competitive game was played on the Sidmouth ground. The evening involved other competitive sports including sprinting, egg throwing and catching and singing. During this period the weather was always good and supporters plentiful.
Regular guests included Ken Pluck and Brian from Saffron Waldon, Tom Oldknow and Maurice Machin from Wanstead, John Braithwaite and Mike Wilkinson from Laleham, Peter Durrant from Elmers End and Les Betts and Mike Fraser from Roehampton. If we needed a player or two, Twink somehow arranged for a Somerset player to fill in. Sidmouth was the Saturday fixture who included John Harris their groundsman. John was a good cricketer, great character and subsequently chairman of the Umpires Association.
The tour always finished with the ‘Last Supper’ at the Kings Arms.
In 1966 we celebrated the 21st tour (a year early!) with a number of functions and a party of over 40 people. Gordon Richardson produced a souvenir booklet for the occasion and copies are available on request.
In 1972 the Club joined the Surrey Championship. This meant juggling with the fixtures and some years only a 4-day tour was possible as the tour coincided with a Bank Holiday Monday.
During the ‘70s and ‘80s Exeter University became a regular fixture and occasional fixtures included Instow, Budleigh Salterton, Chard, Ottery St. Mary, Honiton, Duke of Cornwell’s XI and Tiverton.
Recently the tour headquarters has varied again and included a dubious Hotel in Sidmouth (the Royal London Hotel), Wyndham Terrace on the sea front, May Cottage and various other rented accommodation in an around Sidmouth.
During the ‘80s our playing strength was augmented by Roger Street from Twyford and his two team-mates Simon Preston and ‘Del Boy’ Mandair together with one or two from Knotty Green. Usually, our Australian import came on tour and sometimes brought a friend. The most famous being Dave Gilbert (ex Test player and ex Surrey CCC coach). On another occasion 4 Aussies stayed in Wyndham Terrace and amused themselves by driving golf balls from their beds into the sea (the windows were open) and organising beach parties.
During the late '90s we added Sandford to our tour fixture list and our headquarters was The Rising Sun pub in Sidford. Whilst the quality of our players was good, the quantity suffered during this period and we had to rely on guests obtained in Devon, usually from the University.
For the eight years between 1998 and 2006, the tour party has stayed at The Red House Hotel in Whipton Village. We have always received a warm welcome and all tourists seem to enjoy the location. During this time, the strength of numbers has grown and the tour has seen a mini revival. Long may this continue.
Not much has been written in this report regarding victories and losses, runs scored and wickets taken however, there have been many notable victories and very few thrashings. Exeter University, despite fielding a side including a number of their 1st XI on several occasions, have failed to record anything other than a defeat against us.
Anybody coming on tour will be assured of good entertainment, good cricket on good wickets and a restful holiday!!