Our Turf, Our Stage, and Our Ring

Our Turf, Our Stage, And Our Ring by Richard Wright Procter is a captivating memoir that explores a bygone Manchester through the intertwined passions of sport and theatre. Drawing on barber-shop conversations and local recollections, Procter recounts the rise and fall of Kersal Moor races, the evolution of Heaton Park and Castle Irwell courses, and the vibrant social life of the crowds who gathered to bet, drink, and cheer. The narrative features vivid portraits of racing legends, boxers, actors, and managers—Whisker, Anti-Radical, Perrins, Gregson, Lye, and the famed Ryley and Kean—whose feats and foibles illuminate a century of popular amusement. Additionally, the book surveys the English stage from its early fortunes to the days of the Theatre Royal and touring booths, blending a sporting chronicle with literary reminiscence. Illustrated by William Morton, this edition preserves a treasure-trove of local character and memory.