WINKLEIGH Snooker Club hosted a Christmas party on Saturday, December 14, at which a long-serving club member was honoured.

There was a lot packed into one evening with a final's night of the in-house ladder's competition where the top five spots were contested by Terry Green, Phil Davey, Kelvin Hanagan, Dave Ellis, and Don Sigournay.

The presentation was well attended, and congratulations goes to Kelvin Hanagan for winning first place, Terry Green for winning the high break trophy and achieving second place.

The club’s much respected chairman, Phil Davey, achieved third place.

Perhaps the main achievement goes to 86-year-old, Anthony Tanner aka Tony who lives in South Molton. Winkleigh Snooker had a plaque mounted on one of the snooker tables which reads “The Anthony Tanner Table, where future champions are made”.

Anthony first became a member of Winkleigh Snooker Club in 2003 and quickly became involved.

Within a few short weeks he founded the Winkleigh Junior Snooker Club, running it between 2003 and 2019.

During this time, he taught, nurtured and inspired 96 children to play snooker; sharing his love and passion for the game.

Anthony created and devised technical and fun games to build the juniors skillset to prepare them for competitions, whilst always promoting the gentlemanly and professional etiquette of the sport.

He bought many trophies, medals and other essential equipment for the club and almost entirely out of his own pocket.

Every week without fail he would iron and brush the tables, he even adapted some snooker equipment so younger children could play with shorter rests, retipping and repairing cues as well.

In recognition for his selfless dedication to the club, Anthony who unveiled the plaque, was overwhelmed and very humbled in his response to the surprise.

He said: “What can I say, Thank you so much Sarah, Phil and all others involved.

“To work with children is a privilege and honour, especially when you see them achieve targets they didn’t think were possible.”

Two of Anthony’s past Juniors; Sarah Woodison and Katrina Beer have started to follow in Anthony’s footsteps by recommencing the Junior Club in July 2024, to keep the superb legacy of his work.

Sarah who runs the junior club alongside Katrina, explained: “Anthony’s commitment to this club and the sheer motivation he has shared with the younger generations is nothing short of divine inspiration.

“It is a true privilege to carry on the superb legacy of Anthony’s work; myself and Katrina sure have big shoes to fill but are loving every second of it.”