Reminiscences of Rotherham
by G. Gummer, J.P.
« « prevThe 1st WEST YORK ENGINEER.
VOLUNTEERS.
FRANCIS JOHN SAVILLE FOLJAMBE, Esq.. M.P., JR
JAMES YATES, Esq., DEPUTY LIEUTENANT OF THE WEST RIDING.
CAPTAIN JAMES BROWN.
GEORGE WILTON CHAMBERS, Esq., J.P.
ROBERT JOHN BENTLEY, Esq., J.P.
ROBERT BENTLEY SHAW YATES, Req.
H. W. VERELST,Esq., J.P.
CAPTAIN HARRISON AND MEMBERS OF
THE 19th W.Y. RIFLE VOLUNTEERS.
CAPTAIN ROBINSON AND MEMBERS OF
THE 36th WY. RIFLE VOLUNTEERS.
STEWARDS:
W. WHITFIELD, Esq. C. H. PERROT, Esq.
S. CAMM. Esq E. H. PERROT, Esq
J. BADGER.Esq T. W. BADGER, Esq
G. D, OWEN, Esq. CAPTAIN ROBINSON.
JOHN FOSTER, Esq. CAPTAIN HARRISON.
JAS. HODGSON, Esq. LIEUT. WATERMAN.
CLERKS OF THE COURSE:
SERGT. J. J. BERRY, S.A.V. Mr. T. G. CURTIS.
JUDGE:
ROBERT MARSH, Esq.
STARTER:
SERGT. WM. CLIFFORD. 19th W.Y.R.V,
HONORARY SECRETARIES:
FRANK FOERS, HON. SEC. ROTHERHAM CRICKET CLUB.
GEO. EAST, QUARTER-MASTER-SERGEANT 36th W.Y.R. VOLUNTEERS.
In the one mile flat race the following Rotherham men were competitors:—Chas. Skelton, J. Brooks, Wm. Ellis, W. Trueman and J. Harvey.
For the velocipede (bicycle) race only three local men competed, namely, W. Walker, W. Deardon, and Josh Hartley.
Frank Foers, 3. H. Kesteven and Alan Badger tried their skill at throwing the cricket ball.
A handicap flat race of 120 yards, open to schools in Rotherham and Masbro’ produced 17 entries, amongst which I find F. J. Marsh and R.. Marsh, Sons of Robert (subsequently Alderman) Marsh, Harry (subsequently Lieut. Colonel) Rhodes, J. Badger (a son of Henry Badger, solicitor), who, I understand, now resides in Rotherham, and H. Montgomery who in later years became famous as a runner. In the handicap steeplechase (500 yards, 8 hurdles) W. J. (subsequently Sir Willam) Clegg was on scratch, giving Sam Draycott 15 yards, J. Earnshaw 30 yards, and Wm. Boler 20 yards, all Rotherham youths.
There were 27 entries in the 200 yards handi cap flat race, amongst the local Competitors being E. Studdard, S. Draycott, A.. Brooke, and W. Earnshaw, all on the 10 yards’ mark, whilst Chas. Skelton, Tom Dunn, H. East, J. Earnshaw. W. T’rueman, J. R. Cotterill, A. W. Bradwell were conceded a further five yards start. Alan Badger, W. R Corbitt and W. R Poulter received 20 yards.
A handicap flat race, 440 yards, open only to Rotherham Volunteers and Rotherham Cricket Club, produced 11 entries, as follow:- Samuel Haywood, scratch; William Boler and William Trueman, 10 yards; E. Studdard, J. W. Kemp, H. East and F. S. Bilton, 20 yards; W. Simpson, W. R. Corbitt, H. Badger and W. R Poulter, 30 yards.
There were other events such as tilting at the ring and post practice, for which T. G. Curtis,W. W. Eltringham, G. A. Oldfield, F. Wainman and J. Bagshaw were the local competitors.
Entrants for the various events came from Sheffield, Chesterfield. Stockport, Doncaster, Bawtry, and other places.
Still later, the sports were held in the fields adjoining Boston Park. The judges officiating were Mr. John Foster, of Newhall Grange, and Mr. Netherwood Bentley. Another and younger lot of athletes had now forged their way to the front. About fifty years ago, no better runners were to be found in Yorkshire or, for that matter, in the north of England, than Messrs. Hardwicke Foers, William Thirlwell, Robert Marsh, junr., Tom Hirst and Jack Bull, all Rotherham lads. So » next
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