1954
It wasn’t only professionals who gave exhibitions, as this letter from Dalton Grange shows. Jack and his Huddersfield team mate Gladney Hoyle were to give a display of both Billiards and Snooker. It would also appear as if they will be taken to the club and taken home after, treated like royalty. I wonder if they got a small remuneration for their nights work or at least some beer money. It’s a pity they couldn’t get his name right, “G“.
1954
It seems as though Leonard Oldham, secretary of the Huddersfield Association, likes to use postcards for his form of communication. This one refers to Huddersfield’s Yorkshire League game. They are usually played on Saturdays and they will be taken to Heckmondwike by coach along with their supporters. This will be after he has given the exhibition match with Gladney Hoyle at Dalton Grange the night before. The letter across is a request for another exhibition, this time with Harold Burkinshaw at Manor Croft Club & Institute, Skelmanthorpe for the Dearne Valley League presentation night. The card above also mentions that Jack is to play Harold in the Huddersfield Billiards Championship having already met him in the Yorkshire Championship earlier.
1954
This appears to be a “friendly game” against the Holme Valley Association who Huddersfield play occasionally, but usually with their second string players as the Holme Valley are a lesser Association. Because the match is a fundraiser for the Referee’s Association, Huddersfield are taking a strong side to boost the attendance and revenue.
1954
The envelope that must have contained something for winning the Yorkshire Billiards Championship, maybe cash or a cheque but I don’t think Jack would have a bank account back in those days. The other writing says “Heartiest Congratulations Jack” signed A Leslie Driffield and dated. Leslie was at the time the English Amateur Billiards Champion, and presumably watched the match; two champions together. Along with qualifying for the English Championships proper, this win was probably Jack’s finest achievement.
1954
The reason that not many players entered the English Amateur Championship was, if they were lucky (or unlucky) enough to win through to the Championship proper, the time and cost commitment to play in London was much too high for them. I can’t quite understand what Rosse is saying in the letter “the prize you have had to have replaced was to hand”. It would appear that there was a prize for playing in London, and it would seem as if it would have been sent to the Yorkshire Association to pass on. In any case they have given Jack a donation of £4 to cover some of the expense he incurred. As I said earlier, it seems as if Rosse and Jack are friends, with his last comment “Kind regards and mi luv ta thi missus” in a broad Yorkshire dialect.
1956
Again another letter from Rosse that indicates it is not just business correspondence but also one from a friend. Again in broad Yorkshire “Where th’ L’s e fra onnyrooad?” referring to his opponent Clement Hey from Rochdale. Also his parting shot of “My regards to your lady wife & yourself” as if he had met Jack’s wife, which I would be surprised by as she was at home looking after me and my brother.
1956
Another postcard from Leonard Oldham, letting Jack know he was selected to play for Huddersfield in the Yorkshire League game away at Wakefield. The last bit “Min O is going” I think might refer to Leonard’s wife who’s name might be Minnie which, in itself is a diminutive of Winifred – but I’m guessing.
Jack Mellor 