Taking the Strain: The determined looks on the faces of Benhall Badgers tug-o’-war team show that the East Suffolk Police team did not have an easy victory in the final of the contest at Stowupland flower show and fete on Saturday.
Tug of war is a sport in which two teams compete by pulling on opposite ends of a rope typically involving teams of eight or more members, though the number can vary. The rope is marked with a centre line and two markers equidistant from the centre. The objective is to pull the opposing team’s marker across the centre line.
The sport has been in practice throughout history. It was included in the Summer Olympics from 1900 to 1920, but is no longer part of the Olympic program. Tug of war continues to be practiced at community events, and organized competitions worldwide and especially in Benhall & Sternfield!
Early 1960s. Standing & encouraging: George Corneby and Roli Peck. From front of rope: Bert Cunnell, Cliff Hurlock, Ian Meikle, John Stigwood, Harold Stannard, Buck Coxage, Jack Woodard and the legs of John Mannings!
Though tug o’ war was a regular sports feature at every festivity in our villages it wasn’t until 1961 that a tug o’ war club was formed, one in Benhall (the Badgers in checked shirts) and one in Sternfield (the Stags).
Benhall Badgers & Sternfield Stags
Back Row L to R: Tony Woods, Ronnie Nicholls, Norman Ling, David Stannard, Ian Meikle, Roy Leeks, John Stigwood, Eric Bastow, Roli Peck.
Middle Row L to R: Brian Boast, Jack Woodard, George Corneby
Front Row L to R: Bertie Cunnell, Denis Bloomfield, Pip Hurlock, Max Boast, Harold Stannard, Bob Smith, George Coxage.
From the Suffolk Chronicle Friday 24th August 1962
BENHALL STALWARTS
Talking-point at Benhall of late has been the progress of their two tug-of-war teams, and it seems as if this new interest is coming close to ousting football – a sport which the village folk have followed most energetically for years. It is a good thing that the round of fetes and carnivals – where most tug-of-war events are staged – will be over by the time local football gets under way, but as far as the Benhall players are concerned they should take the field for their first match very fit indeed after all the exercise they have had this summer.
Apart from the actual tug-of-war events in which they have taken part, the Benhall lads have devoted two and three evenings a week in training to be better “pullers” and they have already made a name for themselves in the district.
Click to enlarge. Back row: Buck Coxage, Roli Peck, Jack Woodard, John Mannings.
Middle Row: John Stigwood, Tony Woods, Harold Stannard.
Front Row: Bert Cunnell, George Corneby.
BERT at no.1 is very keen, he really hates the opposing team. If he had his way we’d win every cup but we usually finish the runners-up.
GEORGE pulls hard at no.2 he heaves till his face is turning blue. Marg and he have tied the knot, now what chance has the poor devil got?
IAN is at no.3, he also is no longer free. With Gill at home I bet a shilling, to milk those cows he is not so willing.
JOHN pulls likes mad at no. 4, as captian he must keep the score. Financially he’s not bad off, thanks to our lovely lady treasurer. Doff.
At no. 5 we have friend PIP, all the farmwork keeps him fit. He trains at home with rope and post, we really think he is the most.
At no.6 is our dear STAN, he really is a ladies man. He pulls our pints with quite a dash but never forgets to collect the cash.
At no. 7 we have our JACK, at rearing pheasants he’s quite a whack. He shoots rats and foxes and clears rabbits fast, but badgers & stags always seem to get passed!
BUCK is our strong arm anchor man, he really does as well as he can. He shouts and he swears and yells the orders, you can hear him on the village borders.
NORMAN our reserve is grand, to anything he can turn his hand. He’s pulled and he’s coached and even ref’d us, we’d be sorry if he left us.
ROLI our coach is a real good lad, when he pulled in the team he wasn’t so bad. However the boys one and all agree, he’s better at coach than at referee. Remember Stowupland!
Does anyone recognise who wrote this introduction to the team please?
CUP FOR BENHALL BADGERS – 26 July 1963
Benhall Badgers won the Tug-of-War Challenge Cup at Kesgrave on Saturday.
They beat the Norwich Police in the final.
From the Suffolk Chronicle, 4th October 1963
BENHALL SPORTS
In a sports meeting arranged by Benhall Badgers Tug-o-War Club, childrens sports were organised by the headmaster of the school Mr. T.A. Lavis, and an American tournamount for the four tug-o-war teams was judged by Mr. M.H. Robinson of Ipswich.
Winners were: 1. Reedham Vikings, 2. Benhall Badgers, 3. Essex Police, 4. Benhall Dodgers.
Benhall school won the junior tug-o-war competition.
Both images: Flower Show 1960s
From the Suffolk Chronicle, Friday 21st June 1963
BENHALL BADGERS AT HOLIDAY CAMP
The Benhall Badgers Tug-o-War Club received an invitation from Butlins’ Holiday Camp at Clacton, to take part in the South Eastern Championship Competition.
Although only in the amateur class, they were matched against clubs belinging to the Association which made the odds against them heavy. There were twenty-one teams in all, drawn from as far afield as Surrey, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire.
In the draw for the first round, they came up against Vauxhall Motors, whom they beat with two straight pulls. In the next round they came up against reigning champions ‘Broadmoor Staff Club’ who beat Benhall.
Although defeated, they were in no way disgraced, and received a standing ovation from competitors and spectators alike, and a further invitation to a competition in Surrey.
Though the Benhall Badgers and the Sternfield Stags are no longer part of a Club, the sport of tug-o-war is still a feature at our village Jubilees and Flower Shows:-
Above 2019 Flower Show. Right 2012 Jubilee
Both images 2024 Flower Show
