Bedford
General History
Bedford 1920-1939 by Mr. Frank Richards
Bedford > General History > Reminiscences> Frank Richards
Recreation
Apart from going to a film or play, a musical concert or a variety show, what did Bedfordians in those days do to amuse themselves? what activities could they take part? In1925 there were forty-five sports clubs and by 1939 this had increased to over sixty. Bedford, of course, has always been noted for its rugby team, and there were quite a number of these apart from the town side. Bedford Athletic, which still exists, played on the Nevmham ground, and there were works teams like Queens and the Igranic. Soccer was popular too and if one did not actually take part there was always the Saturday outing to Queen's Park to see the Bedford Eagles. Cricket could be seen on virtually every open space as it can now and many were the matches for the Hospital Cup in Bedford Park. For the ladies hockey was there with a very enthusiastic team known as Parkside. There was tennis, too, which had the attraction of having both sexes among its members and I often wonder on joining the club, was the sport the main incentive for young people. The best known club was the Riverside in Goldington Road. The river was a focal point for recreation for both old and young, but in those days all the craft were small ones - punts, rowing boats and canoes. There were no cabin cruisers. There were three main places where one could hire a boat: Chetham's, Deacon’s and Bryants. We usually got one from Harry Bryant who had his moorings opposite the "Embankment Hotel".
Fishing is still very popular and I admire those stalwarts who sit by the river stoically watching their floats in the most ghastly weather conditions. I took it up for a few years as a boy, but if anyone had told me that no fish in the Great Ouse measured more than five inches I would have believed him, for none that I ever caught measured as much as that.
There where two outdoor swimming-pools in those days: Newnham and Commercial, although the Modern School indoor baths was built in 1934.Newnham had been converted from a mill pond and the manager, Harry Perry occupied the mill cottage. The bottom wvas not concreted, and the depth of the water seemed limitless. With a due regard for decorum there were separate nights for men and women, although this rule was relaxed at week-ends when mixed bathing was permitted. On these occasions, however, males had to wear a swimming-costume and not swimming trunks. Commercial baths near the Prebend Street bridge was bigger than Newnham and its temperature was always a few degrees higher owing to the doubtful privilege of taking in warm waste water from the nearby electricity station. A pastime that was very popular in my youth was playing billiards or snooker. There were two billiard halls: one over Burton's in Silver Street and the other in Castle Lane whish is now an art gallery attached to the museum. Its official title was "The Castle Billiard Hall", but it was known to us as "Joe's" after its manager. What titanic struggles we embarked upon there. We usually "played for the table"; that is, the losers paid and in a foursome the loss of a game would cost us threepence each! I don't know what the youngster of today would think of the dances of the time, with no electronic music, flashing lights or microphones. One actually had to learn dance steps and be familiar with the fox-trot, waltz and tango. Of course those dances were as much a social nature as an artistic one and many a romance took place on the dance floor. One of the most fashionable venues was the Dujon, where a large room over Dudeney and Johnson's in the High Street threw its doors open on a Saturday night. Another popular place was the Croften Rooms in St.Cuthbert's Street. For these occasions local dance bands were hired such as Lew Keay's, or Bernard Monshin who played with his orchestra in the "Bridge Hotel", another place that is no more.
A formal recreation in those times when mechanical transport was few, was walking. It usually took place along the Embankment or "prom" as many Bedfordians called it, and when I say "formal" that is exactly what it was.
The really "done" thing was to take this form of exercise on a Sunday evening in Summer, where it seemed the whole of Bedford was out. There they were: working-class fathers in their dark suits and bowler hats, carrying a walking stick, walking along with their wives clad in elegant dresses and tasteful headgear. This applied to all age groups and when I was a boy I can never remember venturing out on a Sunday in anything but my best school uniform which included a cap, tie and starched collar. If one were more adventurous a stroll along the river bank to Cardington Mill or Kempston was undertaken, and an aunt of mine, who lived in Tavistock Street, always maintained that their favourite walk on a Sunday evening was through Clapham, Oakley and Bromham.Perhaps after all this, one will come to the conclusion that as far as recreation is concerned the town hasn’t changed much. One can still play football, rugby, cricket, hockey, tennis, bowls or snooker; although swimming can now be done in a heated baths. True, but let us return to that adventurous uncle and aunt of mine. I appreciate to-day that joggers, marathon runners and rambling clubs cover mile upon mile and think nothing of it. But think back to those days: Clapham, Oakley and Bromham on a sultry summer's evening - in your best clothes. Phew!
Page last updated: 22nd January 2014