Sports and Leisure

Many of the photographs show local people at leisure. Several of the group shots are taken near to Frank Downing’s house.

As today, people used the riverside for quiet relaxation and there are photographs of boating in summer and skating in winter on the Back Dam at Wortley Top Forge. Other images show village celebrations on Easter Day or Whit Sunday.

Like many local villages, Thurgoland had a proud sporting tradition and local football and cricket teams are well represented. Also covered is the popular game of knurr and spell, which is rarely played today.