SOCIAL LIFE Radcliffe OF THE VILLAGE WW1 Radcliffe before the war offered people many opportunities for Their links with the village reveal a close knit sporting recreation, sport, worship and festivities. community moving between professional and amateur status while participating in local activities. played for TRANSPORT England and was acknowledged at the time as the world's Motor transport appeared at the turn of the but there greatest batsman. played for were few car users in the village. Mr Wright of Englewood House and England. was the first car owner; he later ran a taxi service. The Parish Radcliffe Olympic Club traces its history to 1876. Football was soon became concerned about traffic speed and in 1909 tried first played on a Holme Lane ground then moved to Wharf Lane. to enforce a speed limit of 8mph. John Nowell and son were injured when a car from Nottingham collided with their pony and cart. A ferry service to Colwick and Carlton was maintained until the 1940s. The Vickerstaff family operated it early on, providing teas for visitors by the Wharf. Children would swim in the river and picnics were held on a sandy riverside bay close to the Wharf House. The river, an asset for trade, recreation and fishing was also notoriously dangerous. A number of drownings are recorded. John Hainsworth Barry received a Royal Radcliffe Olympic Football Team Humane Society's certificate for saving RELIGION the life of Oswald Reverend John Cullen was resident vicar until his death in 1914. Bolton in June 1910. The Wharf and Ferry House He instigated the rebuilding of St Mary's, finally completed RECREATION about 1905. He encouraged children to attend Sunday school, On weekends and Bank Holidays visitors arrived by train in great held in the old schoolroom. A Wesleyan Methodist chapel numbers. By 1894 the village was being referred to as 'New opened in 1839 on Main Road seating 400. A Primitive Scarborough'. Tea rooms opened up not only for visitors but also Methodist chapel was built in 1893 on Shelford Road. to encourage locals not to drink alcohol. Refreshments were provided by John Barnard on The Green, John Gilman, Shelford Road, Mary Goodson, Bolton Terrace and Thomas Roulston on Vicarage Lane. Feast days were held in late September on land where New Road now stands. Arthur Ashley's travelling fair would set up there. His most famous ride was the 42 galloping golden horses. A thriving brass band performed on many occasions. Some of the Rev J Cullen and Sunday School teachers 1902 band members later saw active service.

Group at the Wharf August 1914 SPORT The Golf Club was founded in 1909 near the present by-pass. A nine hole course was laid out by Tom Williamson. 200 watched the opening exhibition match on 9th October 1909. Hunting with hounds was popular amongst the village elite. Meets were held at Lamcote House and The Manor House. Local riders and drivers included Major Noel, Mr Butler Parr, Mr J Wesleyan Methodist Chapel, Fryer and Mr Isaac Kirchen. Primitive Methodist Chapel, Shelford Road Main Road was played on Holme Lane. Famous village cricketers 'The Institute', a reading room formed in the old school room, were Butler Parr, George Parr and Richard Daft. was also used for lectures, concerts and public meetings.