Latest NEWS from the CWWA (Cumberland and Westmorland Wrestling Association) / HISTORY of Grasmere Sports / Photographs

(Photographs - By its very nature, this site features photographs and links to photographs of winners and competitors in the various events at the Annual Grasmere Sports and Show. If you, as a competitor, a prize winner, a parent or dog owner do not wish to have your picture or that of a family member displayed on the site, please contact the webmaster HERE and it will be removed. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy in identifying winners correctly. If you are incorrcetly identified, or know of any such error, it can be corrected by making contact with the webmaster HERE.)

The photograph of Hexham Clarke (left), a well known Cumberland and Westmorland style Heavyweight wrestler, was taken in the late 1890's. He wears a championship belt which was generally rated more highly than the financial rewards.

The wrestling costume (no boots, belts or braces) was 'de rigeur' from 1852 until recent years, and even today (see picture of Tom Harrington right), the traditional costume is compulsory for World Championship contests in Cumbria. At Grasmere, competitions are held to select the best dressed wrestlers in different groups. Highly decorative designs result, but they must always have the initials of the wrestler built into the design somewhere.

The longest surviving photograph of the Sports was taken by William Baldry in 1872. He was originally the village schoolmaster, but turned his hand to photography and the more profitable Real Estate business opportunities in the village.

The Grasmere Guides Race to the top of Silverhowe was first introduced in 1868. The current Grasmere Guides Race record of 12 minutes 21.6 seconds over the Butter Crags course, was set by Fred Reeves in 1978 and is still unbeaten today. The course record, established on May 16th 1985 in an Amateur event, is held by Kenny Stuart with a time of 12 ninutes and 1 second. Reeves won the Grasmere event 8 times altogether. Bill Teasdale, a local shepherd from Caldbeck, won the event 10 times during the 50's and 60's - 5 times consecutively.