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Full Description
Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries the highlight of the social calendar in many Essex towns and villages was the local horse race meeting. Of these Chelmsford Races, held on Galleywood Common, were by far the most successful. They were so popular that in 1770s the local gentry raised money for a permanent grandstand on the common where they could watch safely isolated from the lower classes. As well as the races the wealthy also enjoyed balls, dinners and concerts organised in the town to coincide with them.
The races had something for everyone. Those too poor to attend the glittering social occasions could enjoy a wonderful day out on the common with the racecourse crammed with fairground attractions as well as many beer tents.
The nature of racing changed towards the end of the eighteenth century as it became more professional and better organized. Despite this, Chelmsford's popularity waned and around 1880 the course was converted to steeplechasing. There was a brief resurgence after the First World War but it didn't last and racing at Galleywood ended in 1935. But that wasn't then end of the story and today the cheers of punters still ring out across the Essex countryside - this time at the new Chelmsford City Racecourse at Great Leighs.
Contents
13 Introduction
17 Part I Chelmsford Races - A Long History
18 Horse Racing and the 'Dullest Place on Earth'
25 Racing at Galleywood
41 Chelmsford Races and the Upper Classes
53 A Big Social Event
66 Racing and the Working Classes
71 Crime and Punishment
77 A Diminishing Role in a Changing World
93 The Aristocracy in Decline
101 Gambling Puts on the Pressure
105 A Late Victorian Sporting Revolution
109 New Pastimes
111 Galleywood's Heritage
113 Part II Racing Returns to Chelmsford
114 A False Start
118 Racing Comes Full Circle
125 About the Author
