CHAPTERS IN THE HISTORY OF ECCLES
By
T. SWINDELLS

THE WAKES

It is quite in order that our second chapter should deal with the great annual celebration known as the Wakes, inasmuch as that celebration had its origin in the dedication of the Parish Church. Prior to the Reformation the observance of religious fasts and feasts was general, and the Wake was the festival instituted to celebrate the dedication, and was usually associated with the day of the patron Saint of the Church. Originally the observance was almost entirely religious in character, but with the Reformation came a change; and most of the sacred features were prohibited as savouring of Roman Catholicism. The Puritan Revolution effected still further changes; and along with all other feasts the annual Wake was prohibited. In most parts of the country the prohibition was fatal to the continuance of the observance, but in some districts, notably in Lan­cashire and Cheshire, the celebration survived. In the early days of the English Church, and for many centuries afterwards, most parishes were of wide extent, and in many cases very thinly populated. The Wake being the celebration of the dedication of the Parish Church, as far as it was at all possible all parishioners were expected to attend the dedication celebration service in the Church. As many persons had to travel long distances, usually on foot, and by roads that were notoriously bad, it became customary for stalls for the sale of food and drink to be set up for their convenience in the Churchyard. As might have been expected, this led to scenes that were the reverse of decorous, and orders were given prohibiting the erecting of stalls or the sale of goods in the Churchyards. Being thus ejected the traders set up their stalls in the roadway immediately outside the Churchyard; and in this way originated the groups of stalls associated with the annual Wakes celebrations at Eccles, and in all parts of Lancashire. Another change in the form of celebration was the transformation of what in its origin had been a purely religious feast into one devoted as exclusively to pleasure. The Reformation, and probably the action of the Puritans, were responsible for the commencement of the change; but other causes were probably operative from time to time, until to-day I doubt whether one per cent, of the people who attend the fair ground during Wakes week have the remotest idea that the celebration ever had a religious meaning.

In connection with the annual dedication festival there also arose another feature usually associated with the Wakes celebrations in Lancashire, and that was the annual rush-bearing. The custom of strewing rushes on the floors of Parish Churches originated at a time when means of artificially heating them were unknown. Com­mencing with each family strewing them in their own pews, gradually the custom grew, until the rush cart, as known to our grandfathers, became general. The building of the cart was a great event in hundreds of hamlets, and as a desire to excel came into play it became the aim of the people of each district to produce the best cart. The building took some considerable time, and for several weeks before Wakes Saturday the young men would be busy after their day’s work was finished in bringing rushes to the place appointed. These were arranged in large bunches of varying lengths. As the making of the cart, which usually took a rectangular form, being built upon a farmer’s waggon, was a matter requiring considerable skill, an old hand was usually engaged for the purpose. When the cart had been built, a white linen sheet was fastened upon the front, which sometimes rose to a height of seven or eight feet from the cart on which it was built. This sheet was decorated with coloured paper, tinsel, ribbons, and natural flowers, usually arranged by the young women of the village. Along with the finery would be silver watches, spoons, teapots, and such other articles as could be borrowed from the gentry of the district. Sometimes a number of green boughs were fixed at the top of the cart, and amongst these were one or two of the latest married men of the hamlet. The finishing touches having been put to the structure, several of the finest horses in the district, lent by farmers, were harnessed, and the journey to the Church commenced. Before it marched several musicians and a number of Morris dancers wearing knee breeches, buckled shoes, white frilled shirts, velvet jackets and caps, and decorated with gaily coloured ribbons. Accompanying the cart were the young people of the village; and as the Parish Church was neared great was the excitement amongst the members of the party as to whether theirs was the first arrival, and as to how it would compare with the carts from other parts of the Parish. After the various carts had arrived and been compared, the carts were taken to pieces, and the rushes were strewn in the pews of the Church. The following day was devoted to hospitality, and relations from a distance, together with old friends, were warmly welcomed. Each householder felt it incum­bent upon him to provide the best dinner he could command, and in most houses a barrel of home-brewed beer was on tap.

In course of time out-of-door sports were introduced, and in some parishes cock fighting, and bull and bear baiting became general. This was the manner in which Lancashire Parishes celebrated the annual Wakes a century ago; and, except that we hear little of the rush-carts here, Eccles was not behind her neighbours in the vigour with which the celebration was observed. As showing how the Wakes was kept a century ago the following public announcement may be quoted. It is a copy of a broadside issued for general circulation, and which is headed by the representation of a bull endeavouring to toss a dog :—

  “Eccles Wake

 Will be held on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th of September, 1817.

Monday—
The Ancient Sport of Bull-baiting may be seen in its various evolutions.
A Jackass Race.
An Apple Dumpling Eating Contest.
Foot Race for all under 18.

Tuesday—
Pony Race.
Sack Race. 

Wednesday—
Jackass Race. The cattle to be shown in the bull ring at 12 o’clock. Start at 2. Nothing to be paid for entrance, but the bringer of each steed to have a good dinner gratis, and a quart of strong beer to moisten his clay.
Foot Race for Men.
Foot Race for Ladies.

Thursday—
Wheelbarrow Race.
A Grinning Match through a collar.
Tobacco smoking Match for Men.
Tobacco smoking Match for Women.

To conclude with a grand Fiddling Match, by all the fiddlers attending the Wake.

As two bulls in good practice are purchased for the diversion the public may be assured of being well entertained. Baiting each day at 10, 1, 4, and 7 o’clock.

The bull ring will be stumped and railed round with oak trees, so that ladies and gentlemen may be accommo­dated with seeing with the least danger. The bellman will announce the Bull-baiting a quarter of an hour before the commencement.”

From this it will be seen that the attractions offered for the entertainment of visitors were of varied descriptions, and fully justified the reputation that Eccles Wakes had earned a century ago.

Some twenty years later the following song was well known. I have not been able to ascertain the name of the author, but it is so entirely local in its references that it should find a place in our pages.

“THE HUMOURS OF ECCLES WAKES.”

In August last, being holiday time,
And being myself a young man in my prime,
To see Eccles Wakes it was my intent,
So I dressed in my best, and away I went.

Chorus.—With Ned and a few men,
And Robin, the ploughman,
And Sally, and Alley, and Mall.

Each lad took his lass as we passed along,
And when we came there it was wonderful throng;
There were some crying “Eccles,” some “Banbury,” cakes,
For the lasses and lads that attended the Wakes.

Chorus.—So Ned treated Sally,
And Bob treated Alley,
And I bought a Banb’ry for Mall.

You fine dressy workfolk from Manchester town
They strutted as if the whole Wakes were their own;
Putters-out, warpers, yea, cutters, and all,
Dressed like masters and dames, jeer’d both me and my Mall.

Chorus.- I ne’er saw their fellows,
They spread their umbrellas
Ere rain from the elements fall.

The bellart ere long tied the bull to the stake,
The dogs were set at him, some pastime to make;
He jostled about, gave a terrible roar,
Tossed the dogs in the air, and folk tumbled o’er.

Chorus.—Such squeaking and squalling,
Such pulling and hauling,
I ne’er in my life saw before.

Mrs. Race in the dirt spoiled her mousseline gown,
Mrs. Warpingwell had her new petticoat torn;
Their spouses, poor creatures, in quitting the mob,
Had their coats torn to spensers—robb’d Stitch of a job.

Chorus.—Rent aprons and shawls,
Which they got in their falls,
Made many poor wenches to sob.

But stop, my good folks, the fun ended not here;
For a Banbury merchant attending the rear,
Crying, “Buy now, or toss,” which the bull chanced to spy,
Gave his basket a toss, for he chose not to buy.

Chorus.-I thought to the Wakes
They were coming with cakes,
Confectioners, down from the sky.

Next followed the race for a leathern prize;
Tits entered the field, amid bustle and noise.
“Now, Bobbin!” “Now, Short!” “Now, Ball!” was the cry;
But Bobbin beat Short, and Ball passed them both by.

Chorus.—Disputing who’d won,
Soon to fighting they run;
And the winner came off with black eyes.

When racing and fighting were all at an end,
To the alehouse each went with his sweetheart or friend;
Some went to Shaw’s, others Phillips’s chose;
But me and my Mall to the Hare and Hound goes.

Chorus.—With music and cakes,
For to keep up the Wakes,
Among wenches and fine country beaux.

As we have seen, there were horse races connected with the Wakes. These were held on a racecourse which was situated between Barton Lane and the Liverpool and Trafford Roads, with a grand stand on the Barton Lane side. Contrary to present-day custom, there was no charge made for admission, and round the course were a number of booths and stalls where boxing, gambling, drinking, and fortune-telling were indulged in.

But perhaps an even greater attraction than horse racing was that of bull baiting, which for a long term of years was perhaps the great feature of the festival. Eccles did not possess a bull ring, but when bull baiting was indulged in the bull was tethered to the old stone pillar still standing in the Market Place, and stands were erected around the spot for the accommodation of spectators. Hundreds of times have the streets of the village resounded with the bellman’s cry : “Oyez! Oyez! Oyez! One bull, one dog. Three slips and a wind”; which, being translated, means that only one dog was to be let loose at a time, and that after each third dog the bull was to be allowed breathing time. The dog that succeeded in pinning the bull’s nose was rewarded with a collar as a prize.

Bear baiting was a form of sport less frequently indulged in. It often took place higher up Church Street, near to the Church. The bear was muzzled, so that he could not worry the dogs. Dog fighting and cock fighting were also occasionally indulged in.

It will be seen that the forms of amusement provided in connection with Eccles Wakes seventy years ago were certainly not wanting in variety.

Since then, however, great changes have taken place, and although the streets are filled at Wakes time with somewhat rowdy crowds, there is less cruelty to animals indulged in than was formerly the case. Seventy years ago few people left the vilage on the occasion of the occasion of the great annual holiday. Now most people who can get away to the seaside or some holiday resort leave the town for a week. Originally the observance was purely religious in character; now it is almost entirely pleasure seeking. The actual holding of the Wakes in the open street was abolished in 1877, when, as the result of an agitation commenced by Mr. R. Spary, the Local Board issued the following notice:—

ABOLITION OF ECCLES WAKES.

The Local Board of Health of our district of Barton, Eccles, Winton, and Monton, do hereby call attention to the undermentioned Order of the Secretary of State for the Home Department, abolishing Eccles Wakes, and give notice that all persons infringing such Order will be liable to be proceeded against by indictment.

GEORGE TRENBATH, Clerk.

24th August, 1877.

EXTRACT.

Now, therefore, I, as Secratary of State for the Home Department, in exercise of the powers vested in me by “The Fairs Act, 1871,” do hereby Order that the Fair which has been annually held on the Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday next following the 25th day of August, and if that day falls on a Sunday the Fair commences on the following Sunday, in the Parish of Eccles, in the County of Lancaster, shall be abolished as from the date of this Order.

Given under my hand at Whitehall, this 24th of March, 1877.

(Signed) RICHARD ASSHETON Cross.