On this day in Wembury — 13 December 1965

At H.M.S. Cambridge, Wembury, the Devon Police cross-country championship was run over three and a half miles. Constable Alex Peden, a 28-year-old Scot stationed in Torbay, finally claimed victory after years of being runner-up to Constable Ken Payne. Payne, the long-time champion from Newton Abbot, was sidelined with a knee injury, leaving Peden free to lead from the start and extend his advantage throughout the race. He crossed the line more than a minute ahead of former winner Constable Cyril Ley of Plympton, securing a long-awaited triumph in front of colleagues and competitors alike.

H.M.S. Cambridge, though primarily a Royal Navy gunnery school overlooking Wembury Bay, was also a popular venue for sporting fixtures. Its extensive grounds and coastal training areas provided space for athletics and cross-country courses, while its facilities were frequently made available to local services and community organisations. Hosting the police championships there in 1965 reflected a wider tradition of military establishments lending their grounds for regional competitions, helping to cement the base’s role not only in defence training but also in local sporting life.