The History of Croft Carnival

An early Croft Carnival image, year unknown. Courtesy of Leigh Archives

How did the carnival start?

Sports competitions and children’s fun days were held often in Croft, especially over the summer during the early 19th century.
The sports days were usually for serious contenders, with separate days for children and adults. They were advertised in newspapers around Lancashire, with the results being published afterwards.
As times changed, a band was added to the sports day for some extra enjoyment.

Leigh Chronicle & Weekly District Advertiser
17th August 1878

CROFT ATHLETIC SPORTS
THIS DAY (SATURDAY)
AUGUST 17TH 1878.
OVER 150 ENTRIES.
GOLBORNE BRASS BAND in attendance for Dancing.
JOHN DAINTETH, Hon. Sec.
 
The children’s fun day and the sports day were kept separate and had different committees.
 
Leigh Chronicle & Weekly District Advertiser
9th September 1892

CROFT CHILDREN’S TREAT

This popular treat, which is looked forward to with evident interest by the children and young people of the parish, took place on Saturday afternoon under very unfavourable circumstances with regard to the weather. The committee this year consisted of Messrs H Hankinson, J Hatton, W Sanderson, R Sanderson, and H Shaw, Mr S Stretch being the hon. treasurer and Mr. S Taylor the hon. secretary, whose arrangements gave every satisfaction.

The children assembled at the Board School at one o’clock, and at two a procession was formed, and, headed by a banner and the Leigh Volunteer Band, they paraded the village. At four o’clock they sat down to an excellent tea, in the schoolroom, which was thoroughly enjoyed, and afterwards nuts and sweets were distributed to them. The weather being so unpropitious it was deemed advisable to postpone the usual sports until next Saturday afternoon. There was a large attendance at the treat, and the usual complement of merry-go-rounds, swing-boats, nuts, sweets, and toy stalls, etc, which were fairly patronised.
 
CROFT SPORTS AND GALA

The annual athletic sports were held in a field near the Horse Shoe Inn, Croft, on Saturday Afternoon. The weather was very unfavourable for the occasion, heavy showers prevailing at intervals throughout the day, which made the ground very wet and slippery, and also, no doubt, reduced the attendance, which was, however, a pretty good one. There was a good number of entries for the various events, namely 73. The contests were very keen and some good running took place considering the wet state of the ground. 

Croft Horticultural Society

In 1899, Croft Horticultural Society started promoting/sponsoring the sports events and this seemed to continue, at least annually, until 1911, when coronation celebrations took over. Other entertainment was provided, though the focus was still sports.
 
Leigh Chronicle & Weekly District Advertiser
8th August 1902

CROFT ATHLETIC SPORTS
The third annual athletic sports promoted by the Croft Horticultural Society was held on Saturday in a field kindly placed at the disposal of the committee by Mr. L. Birchall. The events in the programme (all open) and for which there were about 150 entries, were:

100 Yards Flat Race (Scholars)
1st Prize – Suit of clothes by Messrs Dolan’s, Warrington – Won by J Eaves, Earlestown
2nd Prize, Biscuit barrel – Won by J Shaw, Croft
3rd Prize, Keyless watch – Won by E Taylor, Croft
 
120 Yards Flat Race (Men)
1st Prize – Chiming clock by Messrs Ind, Coope and Co., Burton-on-Trent – Won by S Houghton, Warrington
2nd Prize, Electro plated jelly dish – Won by J Ashcroft, Golborne
3rd Prize, Butter dish – Won by J Straw, Warrington
 
Half Mile Bicycle Race
1st Prize – Gladstone bag – Won by H Devenport, Stockton Heath
2nd Prize - Timepiece by Messrs Cook and Co., Leigh – Won by G Ball, Leigh
3rd Prize - Gold medallion by Mr J S Darwell, Leigh – Won by J Davis Lowton
 
 
Mile Bicycle Race
1st Prize – Set of carvers – Won by G Dandy, Rixton
2nd Prize - Alarm timepiece – Won by G Ball, Leigh
3rd Prize - Electro plated teapot – Won by M Quinton, Bamfurlong
 
220 Yards Flat Race
1st Prize – Pair of trousers by Messrs Dolan’s, Warrington – Won by J Adams, Earlestown
2nd Prize - Electro plated butter dish – Won by J Ridyard, Golborne
3rd Prize - Table brush and tray– Won by T Chadwick, Daubhill
 
One Mile Flat Race
1st Prize – Six bottle cruet – Won by A Holland, Lowton
2nd Prize - Barometer – Won by A Hill, Warrington
3rd Prize - Pair of pictures by Mr Gregory, Leigh – Won by M Jennings, Croft
4th Prize – Woollen sweater – Won by H Wilson, Earlestown

The weather was very unfavourable, but these sports which are becoming very popular, draw a large number of spectators, about 500 paying for admission into the field.
The attractions of the sports, coupled with Cook’s swing boats, etc. on the playground, and also numerous picnics to the various hotels, caused the village to present quite a lively and animated appearance.
The committee who were appointed and carried out the arrangements in an admirable manner were: Judges, Messrs H Shaw, T Hodgkinson and J Daintith; Starters, Messrs A J Owen and C Allen; Stewards, Messrs T Abbey, T Fazakerly, H Hankinson, J Lodge, R Ingham, and I singleton; Hon. Secretary, Mr S Taylor; General secretary, Mr I Cawthorne.

It has been decided to have the same programme of events repeated on the day of the horticultural exhibition on September 6th.
 
Leigh Chronicle and District Weekly Advertiser
26th August 1910
​
CROFT ATHLETIC SPORTS
The eleventh annual amateur athletic sports were held on Saturday in a field near the Horse Shoe Inn, Croft, which had been placed at the disposal of the committee by Mr. James Gleave. Rain fell during the early part of the day, and no doubt accounted for the decrease in the number of spectators. The weather was, however, fortunately fine during the proceedings. There were 277 entries, and about 300 persons paid for admission.
There were some very close contests, especially in the boys semi-final and the half mile bicycle race, in the latter only half a wheel separating the first and second.

Croft Carnival as it is Today

After the 1911 coronation celebrations, the annual events took a break and then in 1914, war broke out.
There are some events that took place during the war years, but understandably they were kept low key and focused on the children.

Huge festivities took place in 1919 to celebrate peace and people must have tried to carry on and come to terms with the horrors they had faced.

1925 - 2025 100 YEARS!

In 1925, it was decided to hold a mixed field fete with a procession including floats, bands, morris dancers, and coaches. Bad weather delayed the start, but it did go ahead. It was so popular that it was decided to be held again the next year.
The athletics were again incorporated into the day and gradually the whole event was known as the Croft Carnival.
The second world war meant another break from celebrations, though it was held consistently after that up until the 1960’s. A Carnival Committee was set up in order for the event to take place in 1972 and it ran continually until the Covid lockdown of 2020 stopped things again.
​
2025 will be 100 years since the first “Croft Carnival” including parade, picnics and all the fun and games. The committee are working hard to ensure it is one of the best yet! If you can help or contribute to the 100 year celebrations, please get in touch with [email protected].

---