Lowerhouse Cricket Club Athletics Meetings 1883 and 1884
We continue our occasional series chronicling the athletics festivals which were a financial lifeline for cricket clubs like Lowerhouse in Victorian times, with the years 1883 and 1884 which were successful but the standard of competition was poor, and changes would obviously have to be made.
Saturday 23rd June 1883 was a glorious day and some 3000 people attended the Lowerhouse CC annual Athletics meeting which, according to the Express of 30th June, “is a favourite one with Burnley people and never fails to draw a large contingent… from Burnley and the surrounding district.”
The ground, albeit described as small, being only 273 yards in circumference, was flat and in good condition, with sprint races laid out across the field.
Mr. T R Sutton from the Athletic News was the time keeper and referee so when their report said a pleasant afternoon had been spent at Lowerhouse, it may have been Mr Sutton speaking. The News was, however, not impressed with the standard of the amateur contestants, who were mostly local. As mentioned in our 1882 report, Lowerhouse were not yet abiding by Athletics Association rules banning professionals, and amateurs who competed in the same meeting as pros, risked being banned by the Athletics Association, so, despite increased prize money, the best men were obviously not present.
The Express report included a rather odd story about a man called, “Charlesworth” (always in quotation marks), who could have won two amateur races but “showed the white feather” by giving up when winning. So they seem to be alleging that he was not who he said he was, and he had thrown the races, serious allegations. The Athletic News merely said he had run out of steam.
Louis Calverley of Burnley (see our 1882 report) won both 1 and 2 mile bike races “at a canter” and “had the makings of a good cyclist”. He was riding “a grand Andrews machine”. This was probably the Sanspareil racer made by Andrews of Birmingham, who later became part of the Triumph company.
A new Sanspareil racer cost £17, a slightly used one £10, an approximate equivalent value now would be £1700 and £1000 so cycling was not a sport for everyone.
Although the Express said the final of the 100 yards for professionals “was one of the best races ever witnessed on the ground”, the real attraction of the day for the crowd was the one mile pony race, a new addition to the entertainment, which closed proceedings at 6 pm.
This was won by Bryan Cockburn’s Jerry, Edgar’s Robert the Devil was second and Blackburn’s Robin third, one pony, Duke, threw its rider, no doubt much to the crowd’s delight other than any who’d bet on him! Bryan Cockburn was at the time landlord of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Hotel near Barracks Station and no stranger to the courts for breaches of his licence including allowing betting in his pub.
Refreshments were provided Mr Ridehalgh of the local pub Bird i’th hand and Burnley Borough Brass Band in their new scarlet uniforms played during the day and in the evening for dancing, making it a good day out. There are no accounts available for1883 but this was surely a very profitable day.
ac August 2026