In the icy grip of January 1891, the surface of Newton Lake was transformed to host a grand spectacle. Curling stones thundered across the frozen lake expanse, as teams from across the region gathered for the long-anticipated Newall and Calverley Curling Cups.
After nearly a decade without competition, the lake came alive with sporting camaraderie, rivalry, and Victorian pageantry, drawing crowds of spectators eager to witness the skillful contests. This festive gathering not only celebrated the enduring spirit of curling but also showcased the vibrant social fabric its sportsmanship, tradition, and community that echoed far beyond the lake’s frozen shores.
FROST AND SNOW.
Newton and Earlestown Guardian – Friday 09 January 1891
There is a slight thaw this (Friday) morning, but probably not sufficient to interfere with a curling match fixed for this afternoon on the Newton Lake.
The severe weather to some people is very enjoyable, especially to those who during this week have disported themselves upon the ice-bound surface of Newton Lake, which is coated with a thick crust of ice over the entire surface. The ice is in some places rough owing to the snow which fell some weeks since, but the greater portion is smooth, and good for skating purposes. Large numbers have visited the lake every day this week so far, and doubtless if the frost holds until to-morrow (Saturday) afternoon there will be a great crowd.
CURLING MATCH ON NEWTON LAKE.
Newton and Earlestown Guardian – Friday 16 January 1891
After a period of nine years during which there has been no competition, the match for the Newall and Calverley Curling Cups took place at Newton Lake on Friday afternoon last. The arrangements bad as us al been made by Mr. W. Urquhart, hon. secretary. As the diff-rent clubs arrived at Newton Station, they were regaled with a plentiful supply of lobscouse at the Legh Arms Hotel, the excellence of which was freely commented upon by all the curlers, and Mr. Urquhart and the landlord, Mr. Berry, came in for a considerable amount of praise in consequence. When all the clubs had arrived, a move was made to the lake, where six rinks had been prepared.
The clubs which attended to take part in the competition were the Liverpool, Manchester Caledonian, Preston, Old Trafford, Wigan and Southport clubs. On the draw taking place it was found that Liverpool opposed Southport, Manchester opposed Old Trafford, and Wigan opposed Preston.
There was a large number of spectators, and the ice was in excellent condition, the slight thaw which commenced in the morning not having affected it to any great extent. When play commenced all the players settled down to work with a will, and the huge stones were kept incessantly travelling from one end of the rinks to the other, while the players ran along the ice sweeping away any little particle of ice or snow which might impede the progress of the cheese-shaped stones to the desired goal or circles at the other end of the rink. Some of our readers may not quite understand the game or where the peculiar title of it is derived from.
The game itself does not suggest anything in the curling line as the ladies understand it-viz., a pair of curling tonge, but the principle of the game is the same as bowls and many of the players seen on the ice on Friday were recognized by members of the Newton Bowling Club as noted bowlers whom they have met repeatedly during the matches in the County Bowling Competition.
The game is a Scotch one and most of the players on Friday were easily recognized as being from the other side of the Border.
Seeing that this game is of the same character as bowls and is indulged in mostly by bowlers, we marvel that Newton-le-Willows does not, in addition to a noted bowling club, boast also a noted curling club. If such a club was formed the lake would afford excellent facilities for play in such a winter as this. If players value the ice-bound surface of Newton Lake so much as to travel all the way from Southport in order to disport themselves upon its surface, surely the people of Newton should value it quite as much as strangers.
To return to the game, it was seen soon after the start that the Trafford Club were not “in it” when pitted against Manchester, and the same applies to Southport when opposed to Liverpool. The best contested game was between Wigan and Southport, neither side being able to claim any advantage until the finish, when a neck-and-neck contest ended in favour of Wigan by five points. Liverpool won the first prize by defeating Southport to the extent of 30 points, and Manchester beat Trafford by 27 points.
The skips of the different teams were as follows:-Liverpool, Messrs. Graham and Shankland; Manchester Caledonian, Messrs. Johnson and McLymond; Wigan, Messrs. Henderson and McNaught; Preston, Messrs. James Gray and Whiteside; Trafford, Messrs Curry and Stringer; Southport, Messrs. Allured and Dinwoodie.
The competition lasted till about five o’clock, when an adjournment was made to the Blue Bell Hotel, where a very substantial dinner was served by the landlord, Mr. H. Hibbert. The players having had their appetites sharpened by the bracing air and exercise went in with right good will, and played a good game with the victuals.
After dinner the meeting was presided over by Mr. W. Alexander, president of the Liverpool Club, the vice-chair being taken by Mr. Hugh Kerr, of the Manchester Club.
Mr. Urquhart, on being called upon by the Chairman, was received with loud applause. He said he had been very pleased indeed that the match had passed off so successfully, that there had been no mishaps or disputes, and were all safely off the ice without any trouble. (Hear, hear).
In bringing them there he knew they all wanted a convenient place and near to the station, with a good meal after it, and he claimed that this was to be had at Newton, better than at Blackburn, Wentworth Castle, or any other place. They were on the main line, with a service of trains better than any of the other places they might have gone to.
They had had a very nice game, without a single dispute from going on to the ice to coming off. He had been unfortunately suffering from ill health for some time past and scarcely thought he would have been able to be with them that day, but he had made up his mind that so long as there was a kick left in him he would have a game even if it was his last. (Applause).
Mr. Macdonald, vice-president of the Preston Club, in presenting the Newall Cup to the Liverpool Club as the first prize, said he was sorry they had not again had the opportunity of taking the cup back to Preston.
They had taken the greatest care of it while it had been in their possession. He could not say that when they came to the contest that day they expected to take it back with them, because they knew they had some undaunted players to meet.
They were comparatively a young club and so did not think they would be the winners that day. He had it on the authority of an independent spectator that day that there was no better game played than the one between Preston and Wigan.
He felt that the way the cups had been competed for that day did not bring forward the best curlers. (Cries of dissent). He was not prepared to say that Liverpool or Manchester were not the best clubs, but he did mean to say that until the players were pitted against one another it was not possible to prove which was the best. If they could begin earlier in the day and go through the games twice it would be better. He had very great pleasure in presenting the cup to the Liverpool Club. They had had the pleasure to meet their Liverpool friends on several occasions, and knew them to be good curlers and thorough gentlemen. They hoped that when they did part with the cup it would be at Preston.
The Chairman, in accepting the cup on behalf of the Liverpool Club, said he thanked Mr. Macdonald and his fellow curlers for the way in which they had received the presentation of the cup. There was a good deal of truth in what his friend had said, but he did not know how it could be avoided. To play down to a single club would occupy more time than they as business men could afford to give. The first time the cups were played for at Hollingworth Lake, Manchester won the first and Liverpool the second prize, but that day it was just the reverse. He thanked them all very much They were pleased to take the cup home with them, and he was sure they would try and take the same care of it as their Preston friends had done.
Mr. Fulton, vice-president of the Trafford Club, in presenting the Calverley Cup to the Manchester Club, said they were all very pleased that Mr. Urquhart had arranged that treat for them, which he was sure they had all enjoyed. He had great pleasure in presenting the cup to the Caledonian Club. Two great clubs had carried off the trophies that day. Although the Trafford Club had not got a prize it had afforded them much pleasure in joining in the game.
Mr. Hugh Kerr, J.P., suitably acknowledged on behalf of the Manchester Caledonians, and said they were all very pleased to see that, Mr. Urquhart had recovered so far as to enable him to play on the ice with Liverpool that day. He hoped there were many happy years yet before him. He proposed Mr. Urquhart’s health which was drunk with musical honours.
Mr. Urquhart returned them his most sincere thanks for their good wishes. It was 21 years since he bed had to do with that competition, and the late Mr. Newall had placed that cap into his hands to be competed for. He should, however, be glad if they would appoint some one else as secretary and to take charge of the cups and competition. He thought it was time for him to give it up, and pleaded old age and failing health as his reasons.
The Chairman proposed, and proposed, and Vice-chairman seconded that Mr. Urquhart still continue as secretary, which was unanimously carried, and the meeting terminated.
