Page 18 - Jigsaw July 2019

Glance at the past.......................................................................................
Eric Franklin tells us about entertaining times of Thrapston past
Entertainment today is easily accessible in our own homes. Online streaming of films, shows and concerts bring virtually whatever we wish right into our homes. In Thrapston we have films, plays and operas at the Plaza whilst the Town Band, as well as performing locally, are in demand at events in the wider locality.
Over 100 years ago entertainment was very much participatory, often involving becoming a member of an organisation.
In August 1906 the Band of Hope, a temperance society, had over 200 people at the event shown.
For the more athletic there was the annual Thrapston Sports held on a field near Bridge Street Station, now the site of the Waters Edge estate. These sports were renowned
and so highly rated that competitors came from not just locally, but nationally and
even from France. Prize money for event winners could be as much as £20, a not inconsiderable amount in the day. The picture, taken in 1909, shows some of the crowds watching the end of a children’s race. As well as athletics, there were cycling and horse races, the track extending to beyond the stand. These were the days when Thrapston Harriers running club were one of the highest ranked running clubs in the country. Two of their members, William “Buff” Coales and Fred Hibbins won gold and bronze medals respectively in the 1908 and 1912 Olympic Games held in London and Stockholm.
In Thrapston there were magic lantern
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