Category: Events

From The Warminster Herald, Saturday 27th April 1889:

Bank Holiday In Warminster

On Monday, a promenade concert by the Town Band, and a fancy dress football match, by the Town Football Club, were held in a field in Portway, kindly lent by H.P. Jones, Esq.

The weather was everything that could be desired, and during the afternoon and evening, a great number of people witnessed the proceedings, danced to the strains of the band or indulged in “Three sticks a penny at Old Aunt Sally.”

The following is a list of those who took part in the football matches:-

Blues:
goal, Rowley (Chinese Lady);
backs, Wm. James (capt.) (Victoria), Wm. James (John Bull);
half-backs, Ferris (Jockey), Giles (Cowboy), Foreman (Jack The Ripper);
forwards, James (Muffin Man), Kemp (Mr. Winslow), Smethem (Soldier), Young (Clown).

Reds:
goal, Blackmore (Clown);
backs, Adlam (capt.) (Red Indian), Giles (Ally Sloper);
half-backs, Tanswell (Farmer Blunkett), Pressley (Black and White Man), James (Black and White Woman);
forwards, Hares (Mrs. Brown), Green (Chinese Man), Lanning (Sullivan), Bush (Miss Gainsbore), Luke (Dear Grandma);
Umpires, Mr. S. Day (Mr. Gladstone) and Mr. Gulliver (Lord Salisbury);
referee, Mr. Young (Buffalo Bill).

The first match began at 3.30, and resulted in a win for the “Blues,” by 7 goals to 5 for the Reds.

At 5.30 the second match was played, and was more evenly contested. At the end the game stood, Blues 4 goals, Reds, 3 goals.

The band programme was as follows:-
Grand March, “Star of the Brave”;
grand selection, “La fille de Rejoinend”, fantasia, “Salutation”;
grand selection, “The Bohemian Girl”,
quadrille, “Merrie Old England”,
valse, “Sweet Seventeen”,
grand march, “Reception.”

The proceedings terminated with a grand torch-light procession through the principal streets, which was witnessed by large crowds of people.