A new season starts

The Society's 2012/13 season started on 27 Sept with Mark Bevan telling us about Tarporley races. As usual Mark gave a polished talk explaining how horse racing first started locally in the late 17th century on a course to the south of Delamere forest. From the mid 18th century, races were organised by the Cheshire Hunt and took place on land north of Cotebrook. In the 19th century, the race course moved to Rode St, Tarporley, on what is now the Tarporley Tractors site. Mark painted a picture of wealthy horse owners, young bloods, extravagant wagers, crowds streaming to the race days and all the fun of the fair. Sadly this all came to an end in 1939 when the course was requistioned by the army and later turned into a prisoner of war camp.