Programme (cover) of The Newport Centrals Hockey Club Fourth Annual Tour, Season 1913-14

Easter hockey tours and festivals have been very popular for many years, probably more so before the league systems were set up in the 1960s and ‘70s.

A recent find, hidden amongst our postcard collection, gives an intriguing glimpse into one such tour which took place in 1914, six months prior to the First World War.

Newport Centrals Hockey Club commenced their ‘Annual Tour’ to Ilfracombe and Bideford in Devon on 9 April 1914, leaving Newport Station at 11.20pm (!) and finally arriving in Ilfracombe, via Bristol and Taunton, at 5.45am.

The complete itinerary, including rambles, tasting competitions, Church Parade, “joy car” riding, dances and a “Hairdressing Parade”, as well as three matches, are all detailed in the Fourth Annual Tour programme, along with names of participants, results page (sadly not filled in) and numerous other details.

Along with this programme, we do have two postcards from the tour and the previous season with pictures and names of those who appear. A fascinating glimpse into pre-WW1 hockey tours.

Download the full programme by clicking on the PDF icon to the right.