Yeovil at play

 

yeovil at play

Entertainment, Sport, etc in Yeovil's past

 

Don't forget to check out the extended gallery at the bottom of this page.

 



Smile - you're having fun    

 

Entertainments in brief

 

This notice for all-comers to take part in prize matches of 'Sword and Dagger' appeared in the edition of 4 September 1780 of the Salisbury & Winchester Journal. It should be noted that four guineas at today's value is in the region of £500, but even so....

 

"We understand that our town is about to be visited by Batty's celebrated Troop of Equestrians; fame speaks highly both of the wonderful feats of the Performers, and also of the beauty and docility of his splendid stud of horses, and we have no doubt that it will prove a high treat to the inhabitants of Yeovil and its neighbourhood." 
Sherborne Mercury, 18 March 1843

"On Saturday next, Hughes' Royal Mammoth and Grand Equestrian Establishment, intend paying this town a visit. Fame is loud in the praise of this unrivalled Company, and should the weather be favourable, we may anticipate that we shall be visited by a large concourse of persons from the adjacent neighbourhood to witness the entree, into our Town, of the most imposing cavalcade ever seen in Yeovil." 
Sherborne Mercury, 17 July 1847

 

gallery



Courtesy of Michael West

One of the earliest known photographs of a football match at the Pen Mill Athletics Ground.

 


Courtesy of Jack Sweet

If the Swords and Daggers (see above) didn't get you, the lads of the Yeovil Rifle Club might.

 

1906 YMCA Stalwarts Football Club.

 

The Whitby's II skittle team, winners of the Liberal Club League and Cup three years running, pose for a celebratory photo around 1908.

 

The sack race - part of sports day at the County School in 1909.

 


Courtesy of Michael West

Petter's Sports Day, 23 July 1910, showing the 440 yards flat final. The event was held at the Pen Mill Athletics Ground.

 


From my collection

A colourised photograph of an unknown local football team of the 1911-12 season.

 


From my collection

The Wesleyan Football Club (of the Vicarage Street Methodist church), 1912-13 season.

 

The Yeovil Labour Party Football Club, 1926-27 season.

 


From my collection

A postcard, probably from the early 1930s, of the "Crowning of the Victor at the Olympian Games" and depicting members of the "St John's Church Boys' Gymnasium, Yeovil".