In spite of the cold winds of our wintry summer, large crowds passed through the gates of Central Park on Wednesday, seeking entertainment at the 44th Annual Gala of the Wallasey Band and Gala Committee, in aid of Victoria Central Hospital.
An extremely attractive programme had been arranged, and the arena was continually surrounded by a crowd of interested spectators.
AN ATHLETIC TREAT.
A crowd three or four deep ringed the arena for the evening sports meeting by the Wallasey Athletic Club.
The entries included severaI champions and some really fine athletics were to be seen.
The "high-spots" of the programme were the mile walk, in which H. S. Meikle (All-England 10 miles walk champion) after starting at scratch, romped home first, the Pole Vault, in which some fine work resulted in J. Perry finishing at 11-ft. 7-ins., having just failed 12ft three times, and the amazing javelin throwing of Constable E. R. Turner (Birkenhead Police), W.C.N.A. Champion.
The results were as follows:-
80 Yards Open Handicap: 1, R. E. Shields, Wallasey; 2, R. J. Arden, Wallasey ; 3, T. Mills, Boundary H.; 7.75 secs.
One Mlle Championship of Wallasey; 1, R. C. Leach (Cheshire county champion); 2, N. I. Marples, Wallasey A.C.;3, J. Edwards, Wallasey A.C.; 4 mins, 46 3-5 secs. Quarter-Mile Championship of Wallasey : 1, J. S. K. Glover, Port Sunlight; 2, W. G. Williams, Wallasey A.C.; 3, B. Kivlin, Port Sunlight; 59.54 secs. Pole Vault: 1, J. Perry, Port Sunlight (11ft. 7ins.) ; 2, W. E. Ellis, Liverpool H.; 3, T. Owen, Liverpool H.
Two Laps Youths' Handicap: 1, S. Crombie, St. Edward's College; 2, N. Marples, Wallasey, 3, K. Rudd, St. Edward's College ; 1 min. 24 3-5 secs.
Three Laps (Open): 1, J. D. McGregor, Pembroke H.; 2, W. Thomason, Pembroke; 3, H. R. Roberts, Port Sunlight A.C.; 2 mins. 12 4-5 secs. I
Ten Laps (Open): 1, K. Westmore, Liverpool University A.C.; 2, J. E. Johnstone, Pembroke; 3, R. Georgeson, Liverpool H.; 8 mins. 32 secs.
Open Relay Championship: 1, Pembroke H.; 2, Sefton H.; 3, Port Sunlight; 2 mins. 34 secs.
One Mile Walk: 1, H. S. Meikle, Liverpool H.; 2, C. Hatch, Lancashire W.C. ; 3, J. H. Meikle, Liverpool H.; 7 mins. 27 4-5 secs. Merseyside Schools Relay Championships: 1, Wirral G.S. ; 2 Heath-road, Liverpool ; 3, Manor-road.
An affair of this magnitude needs a great deal of hard work and co-operation and the utmost credit must be given to the committee (too numerous to mention individually) for the very smooth running arrangements and for the splendid organisation. Every detail had to be looked after by some one, and in addition to those who ran the various entertainments, sports, etc., mention must be made of the excellent work done by the Wallasey branch of the British Red Cross Society, and the police who controlled the crowds, and especially the children, with their usual good humour. Then there are the donors of prizes, those who have helped with advertising facilities, and a host of others, without whose co-operation the Gala would not have been such a success.
A final unpremeditated entertainment was a dance held in the mannequin tent as the evening, after a glorious beginning, had once again turned cold. The music was provided by gramophone, and those who availed themselves of the invitation to "trip a light fantastic" as the announcer put it, thoroughly enjoyed I themselves.
THE GRAND FINALE.
By half-past ten a thick crowd had gathered round the firework enclosure all eager for the display, which, it was promised, was to be better than ever.
Soon fireworks were popping and banging and rockets zooming into the air. Red, green and blue stars, and golden feast of "pretties" were seen and everyone was suffering from a stiff neck in the effort to follow the flight of the rockets following each other in quick succession.
Thunder claps and lightning flashes had their place in the display and a number of novelties called forth loud appreciation.
There was an elephant that moved trunk and tail, and a bear which climbed a pole to reach a bun at the top, returning in triumph with its trophy.
The grand finale was, of course, a portrait of the King and Queen in silver, and their appearance was greeted with a regular riot of bangs and flashes, presumably a loyal greeting.
And so home with yet another successful Gala to look back upon.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 10/07/1937
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