1896

History > Before 1923 > 1896

1896

Plans for a Bowling Green at the Cricket Club

In 1896 the Consett Guardian reported on the Consett and District Cricket Club's plans for a bowling green.

The report begins by saying that in Consett the game of bowls has never been introduced, but in 1891, only five years early, Consett Public Park was described as having two bowling greens.

The Cowen Challenge Cup was competed for by clubs from Northumberland and County Durham from the 1880s.

IN CONSETT the game of bowls has never been introduced but with the approach of next summer it will in all probability become as popular here as in other districts in the North of England. The Consett and District Cricket Club are at present relaying their field, and part of it is to be laid out as a bowling green, upon which some £60 is to be spent. It will thus be seen that the members of the club mean business, and it is certain that with a good green and a good supply of bowls, many will be found to join their ranks. The game in itself seems simple, but to get near the “jack” is more difficult than is generally imagined, and requires more skill than many other of our English pastimes. There are many likely players in our midst, and we would not be surprised if, after the first season, Consett and District Bowling Club were found making a bid for the Cowen Challenge Cup. This is perhaps looking ahead, but it is only what we most expect provided the Cricket Club made out a good turf.

In other news

On the same page of the Consett Guardian was a report of a brass band contest at Tow Law. Some extracts are transcribed below.

Apparently the Quickstep was originally a march which became popular about 1850. It was mainly used to celebrate Presidents, Military, Exhibitions, Regiments, Heroes etc. This may have been the "quick step" referred to in the article.

Skilly was a weak broth that was made with oatmeal mixed with water.

WEARDALE NOTES

BY “STAN HOPE”

Stanhope was in luck on Saturday – if there is such a thing as luck; but there is no luck like pluck. The band came second at Tow Law contest. Three of its members are new members. They have only had some four or five lessons from their conductor Mr. Hume. To be second out of nine is not bad.

The tramp cornet player, who gave Stanhope and other lands a lesson on the new quick step a few weeks ago, has had six week’s cheap lodgings with skilly and a plank bed as accompaniments in Her Majesty’s cheap lodging establishment at Durham, for selling an instrument he borrowed from a band. He deserved a few more weeks for leaning Stanhope their new quick step.

One of the Stanhope bandsmen on the morning of the contest cross the Rubicon with a Venus, in fact he was married an hour of two before the contest at Wolsingham. He went through two trying ordeals with a pluck characteristic of a the real Briton and won in each.