Transcript:

ECCLES WAKES

One of the most famous of Lancashire village festivals in the olden times was the wakes at Eccles. lt was celebrated on the Sunday following the 25th of August, and continued during the four succeeding days. The inhabitants of the neighbouring hamlets and villages flocked in such large numbers to Eccles that "as thrunk as Eccles Wakes" became a proverb. The list of the festivities was a long and varied one, as will be seen by the following programme, which is one of the earliest known
to be in existence :·—

ECCLES WAKE
Will be held on MONDAY and TUESDAY, the 30th, and
31st of AUGUST; and on WEDNESDAY and THURSDAY,
the 1st, and 2nd of SEPTEMBER, 1819.
_______________________

On MONDAY, the ancient Sport of
BULL BAITING,
May be Seen in all its various Evolutions.

SAME DAY,
A DANDY RACE,
For a PURSE of SILVER-the best of heats --The second-best to be entitled to 5s.

SAME DAY,
A FOOT-RACE for a HAT,
By Lads not exceeding Sixteen years of age.--Three to start,
or no race.

On TUESDAY
A ]ACK-ASS RACE.
For a PURSE of GOLD, value £50.—-The best of three
heats --Each to carry a feather --The Racers to be shevrn in
the Bull-ring exactly at 12 o'clock, and to 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 Ale, to moisten his clay
clay.

SAME DAY.
A FOOT-RACE for a HAT,
By Lads that never won a Hat or Prize before Monday ---
Three to start.

SAME DAY.
An APPLE DUMPLING Eating,
By Ladies and Gentlemen of all ages: The person who
finishes the repast first, to have 5s. -- the second, 2s. -- and the third, 1s.

On WEDNESDAY,
A PONY RACE,
By Tits not exceeding 12 hands high, for a CUP, value £50 --
The best of heats -- Three to start, or no race.

SAME DAY.
A FOOT-RACE for a HAT, value l0s. 6d.,
By Men of any description.-·-—Three to start.

SAME DAY,
A RACE for a good HOLLAND SMOCK,
By Ladies of all ages : the second-best to have a handsome
Satin Riband. Three to start.

On THURSDAY,
A GAME at PRISON-BARS.

Also,
A GRINNING MATCH through a Collar,
For a PIECE of fat BACON.-- No Crabs to be used
on the occasion.

SAME DAY.
A YOUNG PIG
Will be turned out, with his Ears and Tail well soaped and the
first Person catching and holding him by either, will be entitled
to the same.

SMOKING MATCHES, by Ladies and
Gentlemen of all ages.

To conclude with a grand FIDDLING MATCH, by all the Fiddlers that attend the Wake, for a Purse of Silver -- There will be prizes for the second and third-best --Tunes: "O where, and O where does my little Boney dwell -- Britons strike home - Rule Britannia -- God save the King." May the King live for ever, huzza!

N.B. As TWO BULLS in great practice are purchased for diversion, the Public may rest assured of being well entertained. The hours of Baiting the Bull, will lie precisely at 10 o'clock in the Morning for practice, and at 3 and 7 o'clock for a prize. The dog that does not run for practice is not to run for a prize.
The Bull-ring will be stumped and railed all round with Oak Trees, so that Ladies or Gentlemen may be accomodated with seeing, without the least danger -- Ordinaries, &c. as usual.
The Bellman will go round a quarter of an hour before the time of Baiting.

GOD SAVE THE KING

]OHN MOSS, Esq.}	STEWARDS
T. SEDDON, Esq }
T. CARRUTHERS,	Clerk of the Course.
(J. Patrick, Printer, Manchester.)

by H. Cottam
from : "Bygone Lancashire' ed. Ernest Axon. Pub. 1892