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THE MINIATURE RIFLE CLUB The Watton Miniature Rifle Club was formed about 1900 and was in existence until around 1925, Their headquarters was at the Liberal Club and they were considered to be one of the best rifle clubs in the county-as confirmed in the "Thetford and Watton Post" dated 12th July 1906 which reads — "Talking of Cups, it was great to hear that Messrs E. Hendry, E. Jessup, A. Sayer and E. Toombs, members of Watton Rifle Club, have actually collared the Astor Cup for Norfolk this year. Fancy Watton having the honour of possessing the crack rifle club of the county". After the Liberal Club was disbanded in the mid 1920's the building was taken over the Wilfred Lane & Co., who were house furnishers and dealers in antiques, china and glass. A few years later Horace Siggins bought it for a butcher's shop and in the early 1950's it became the Ashill Meat Go's premises and in the mid 1950's Dudley Bowes started his Breckland Butchers business here. Later it became Codling's Shoes Shop until it was demolished to make way for the new Chemist Shop two years ago.
BOXINGWatton & District Amateur Boxing Club was formed in January 1970 under the guidance of Gor don Holmes, assisted by John Culyer and Arthur Bayliss. The club was fortunate to have many sponsors in its early days, including Henry Martineau of Saham Toney Hall, one of the countries leading livestock breeders, hence the club's emblem of a "Bull's Head". Many other local businessmen gave the club their support including Dudley and Kevin Bowes, both past presidents, Ted Riches, the late Eric Ogden and D. McDonald. Their first headquarters was in the former British Legion Hall, later they were granted the use of the Youth Club gymnasium until 1984, when they were fortunate in being offered the use of the fine Boxing Gymnasium at the R.A.F. Station, by kind permission of the C.0. Over the years the club has had many coaches and following his successful career with Watton A.B.C., Neil Brown was appointed chief coach in 1982 with Adrian Morley and Barry Trainer (Sen), a former triple A.B.A. Champion, as assistants. During its 15 years existence the club has had a remarkable list of achievements that include 33 Norfolk Champions, 22 Eastern Counties/Regional Champions, 7 National Quarter Finalists, 4 National Semi-finalists and 3 National Finalists. The following are among the most notable; - 1970 Peter Cox, Eastern Counties Senior Middleweight Champion. David Holmes, National Schools Semi-Finalist. 1971 Peter Cox, Eastern Counties Senior Middleweight Champion. Adrian Morley, Eastern Counties Senior Welterweight Champion. David Holmes, Eastern Regional Schools Champion. 1972 Terry Stone, Eastern Counties Junior Champion. 1973 Neil Brown, Eastern Counties Junior Champion. 1974 Neil Brown, Norfolk Junior Champion. 1975 Neil Brown, Eastern Counties Senior Featherweight Champion. Tony Whitmore, Eastern Counties Senior Bantamweight Champion and National A.B.A Quarter Finalist. 1976 Tony Whitmore, Eastern Counties Senior Featherweight Champion and National A.B.A. Quarter Finalist. Justin Fashanu, Eastern Counties Schools Champion and National Schools Finalist. 1977 Justin Fashanu, Eastern Counties Junior Champion and National Junior A.B.A. Finalist. 1979 Gary Champion, Norfolk, Eastern Counties and National Junior Semi-finalist. 1980 Michael Belts, Eastern Counties Junior Champion. Kenny Mudd, Eastern Counties Junior Champion. 1984 David Lawrence, Norfolk Light Heavyweight Champion. 1985 Tony Lawrence, Eastern Counties Middleweight Champion. CAR RACINGIn 1971-2 Ted Savory was the East Anglian Saloon Car Champion, driving a specially prepared Ford Capri and setting several lap records in the process. Initially he started motor racing by way of Go-carting and he was in the England Kart team in 1962-3. |
