Earliest meeting: Tuesday 8th July 1783
Final Meeting: Friday 30th July 1824
Arlecdon, a small Cumbrian village close to Whitehaven, is in the borough of Copeland and is most famous today for its 12th century church, St Michael's. Much of the original church was restored in 1776 and a tower was added in 1905 after work was started in 1903. However, back in the latter years of the 18th century and early years pf the 19th century the village boasted a racecourse on which annual races were staged as part of their summer festival alongside events such as wrestling matches and foot races for athletes of the village. One of the earliest meetings in the village took place on Arlecdon Common, site of their racecourse, on Tuesday 8th July 1783, when the main race was for a Purse of £50 for any horse which had not previously started in a £50 race. The race was over 4 miles and run in heats, with the prize going to the winner of the best of 3 heats. It was stipulated that horses had to be shown on Monday 7th July 1783 in order to have their entry confirmed. Two further races on the same card were for a set of cart gear, and a saddle and riding gloves. It is clear that this was not the first such meeting, as it was held on a new round course which provided a good view and spectacle throughout the race for the numerous spectators, and an improvement on the previous course which failed to offer the same unbroken view. The earlier meetings the newspaper might have been referring to were races for Arclecdon, Lamplugh, Ennerdale, Dean and Loweswater which were held in 1781 and 1782 on Blake Fell Green, land held by Thomas Lamplugh who gave special permission for the races to take place. Two such meetings took place on Tuesday 19th June 1781 and Tuesday 18th June 1782. |
Another such meeting in the village was staged on Friday 2nd July 1813 when the principal £50 race was for a saddle and bridle. The Steward at the meeting was James Robinson, and it was he who had the final say as to whether tents could be constructed on the outskirts of the course, either for private occupation or as a business enterprise. Once racing was finished the wrestling competition began at 5 pm. |
Much of the information about this course has been found using internet research and is in the public domain. However, useful research sources have been:-
London Illustrated News
Racing Illustrated 1895-1899
The Sporting & Dramatic Illustrated
Northern Turf History Volumes 1-4 by J.Fairfax-Blakeborough
The Sporting Magazine
A Long Time Gone by Chris Pitt first published in 1996 ISBN 0 900599 89 8
Racing Calendars which were first published in 1727 |
