SKITTLES FOR A KING

Waipa Post, Volume 44, Issue 3178, 14 May 1932, Page 2

SKITTLES FOR A KING

EDWARD Vll.’s SKILL. The veteran verger, at Sandringham Church, Mr John Crisp, retired on March 19 after sixty years’ service with the Royal Family at Sandringham. He is an interesting link with the days when King Edward was a young man.

Mr Crisp, who is 73, joined the Household as a boy, and was appointed an attendant at the skittle alleys of Sandringham House, now converted into a library. He tells of games played by kings and statesmen. King Edward was very fond of skittles, and played a good game. Each evening before dinner he and his friends would play. “ I have picked up the pins (skittles) for nearly all the monarchs of fifty to sixty years ago,” Mr Crisp said in an interview. “ They did not play the ordinary ninepine game, but had ten smaller skittles. Many played a good game, but few could beat King Edward.” After woi’king in the garden Mr Crisp was appointed verger at the Royal church. He supervised the burial of Prince John, the fifth son of the present King, and has dealt with vast crowds who were desirous of seeing the church. As many as 2000 have assembled to see the King and Queen enter the church. As the servants had prior claim to the ordinary seats and filled the building, few of the 200 who tried to get in were successful. On visiting days—twice weekly in summer — thousands would come from all parts and want to see the church and ask questions. It was difficult to keep them on the move.

Mr Crisp has shown probably nearly half a million people from all parts over the beautiful church, with its solid silver altar table and pulpit, precious stones, and memorial windows and plaques of past members of the Royal Family. For forty-four years he held the position, and was known to nearly all the crowned heads of the world. He is probably the oldest employee of the King, who is now pensioning- off his workers at sixtyfive. Mr Crisp is rather sad at retiring-, and feels the wrench after so many years’ service. He will also receive the national pension and the many advantages the King gives to his pensioners. Mr Crisp has seen the present King at play, as a boy, all his children, and finally the little Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret, playing- over the same ground.