Block:English Baseball in East & West Sussex on July 26 1866

From Protoball
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Block English Games
Baseball 1833.gif

English Baseball


Add a Block Game
Data

“Base ball” was among the many activities on offer to employees of Hannington's Department Store of Brighton, East Sussex, who, along with their families, were treated by their employer to an afternoon's outing at Little Park in Hurstpierpoint, West Sussex. “Arrived on the ground it was found that a large tent had been erected, casks of beer were visible, as were bottles of ginger beer, by the gross, and various other comestibles, evidently intended for the day's consumption,” read a newspaper report of the event. “The 'weed' was freely indulged in, and all parties prepared themselves for the amusements of the day. Some betook themselves to a game at quoits, others to trap and base ball, others fond of 'the gentle art' betook themselves to ponds and lakes in the vicinity and proved themselves apt disciples of Isaak Walton.” This all was followed by cricket matches and various races.

Sources

Brighton Gazette, July 26, 1866, p. 6

Block Notes

Hannington's was a major commercial enterprise with more than 200 employees, and was nicknamed “the Harrod's of Brighton.” It closed in 2001 after 200 years of operation. It is unlikely that the “weed” being enjoyed at the event was what the term now conveys, but more likely was cigars or some other form of tobacco.

Comment Edit with form to add a comment
Query Edit with form to add a query