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ATHLETICS AT THE STANLEY ARMS

June 16, 2016 By Steven Horton

The Stanley Arms pub in Roby was once the venue for an athletics day held for staff of the London & North Western Railway Company who lived and worked in the Liverpool area.

The event took 12780197363_9c9d90d613_oplace on 16th June 1866 on a field next to the pub, with the landlord providing all refreshments and making the field ‘gay with flags and drapery’ according to the Daily Post. The idea behind the day was to cement the kindly feeling between employer and employed and the company laid on special trains for staff from Liverpool and surrounding areas.

Despite a cloudy sky and the occasional shower it was an enjoyable day, at which a band played between contests. The committee had put in a great effort to make sure everything run smoothly, especially the secretary Mr J Salter. All competitors went about their business in a sporting manner and no appeals were made at all to the arbitrator.

The races that took place were the 120 yards sprint, one mile run, one and two miles walking, hurdles and sack race. There was alrobertson gladstoneso what we would today term as long jump but was then described as leaping and vaulting. The only non athletic event staged was boxing. Medals were donated by merchant and local politician Robertson Gladstone (right), who lived at nearby Court Hey Hall.

After the presentation of the medals the competitors and guests, numbering 200 in total, sat down to dinner which was said to have reflected the ‘taste and credibility of the caterer.

The Stanley Arms pub is still there today, as is Roby station, but the London & North Western Railway company eventually became part of the London Midland region of the nationalised British Railways.

FOR MORE HISTORY OF ROBY AND HUYTON THIS BOOK IS AVAILABLE ON AMAZON

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Filed Under: Events, Uncategorized Tagged With: athletics, London & North Western Railway, Robertson Gladstone, Roby

About Steven Horton

I am a local history author and tour guide based the Liverpool region, specialising in bespoke tours tailor made to suit the individual or group. Whether it be football, Victorian murders or Liverpool sites connected to the US Civil War, I can arrange something that will suit the customers needs, not go where I want to take people.
I have published seventeen books, all of which are available via the shop page. As well as writing for the Liverpool Echo and Times, I have made guest appearances on local radio and TV. Local history is a real passion of mine, if you enjoy my site please feel free to share through facebook, twitter etc and maybe leave a comment.

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Steven Horton has been a freelance writer for 20+ years. He is the author of 7 books has written for the Times, Liverpool Echo, numerous fanzines and websites, and also appeared on Radio Merseyside/City Talk, ITV News and Sky Sports News. ..read more

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