Town racecourse in the frame (From Knutsford Guardian)
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Town racecourse in the frame
8:50am Saturday 7th July 2012 in News
By David Morgan
Knutsford racecourse in the 1880s
AS Olympics fever grips Britain, now is your chance to see the region’s historical sporting records first hand.
Cheshire Archives and Local Studies service is putting on the free event on Friday, July 20.
Experts particularly want to hear from people who need advice on collecting and caring for their own sports archives.
The open evening includes an exhibition of sport-related photographs and protected documents.
Among them will be Knutsford’s racecourse, which was abandoned in the late 19th century.
For more than 200 years horse racing took place on Knutsford Heath, where the county’s gentry raced and gambled at the cock pit while hundreds watched from the grandstand.
There will also be a film screening showing footage of an all-woman mountaineering expedition to climb the Himalayan peak Cho Oyu in 1959, a behind-the-scenes tour and a guest speaker from Anfield Bicycle Club.
Clr Les Gilbert, Dane Valley ward member and Cheshire East cabinet member for corporate policy, said: “Cheshire has a rich history of proud sporting organisations, so it is excellent news for everyone that we get the chance to show off our collection in this way.
“Cheshire East Council always strives to enhance community life and offer educational events that are great fun for everyone.”
Clr Rachel Bailey, heritage champion for Cheshire East Council, said: “Our archives are a fascinating and fantastic resource, so this event is a great opportunity for people to be able to view our sporting and cultural heritage and local history.”
Cheshire Archives and Local Studies is a shared service for Cheshire East Council and Cheshire West and Chester Council.
The event takes place between 5pm and 9pm on July 20 at Cheshire Record Office in Duke Street, Chester.
Booking is preferred. To reserve a free ticket please ring the record office on 01244 972559 or e-mail recordoffice@cheshireshared services.gov.uk.
