A Brief History of Darlaston

A popular annual event in the early 1950s was the Horticultural and Sports Show that was held at Darlaston football ground, known as City Ground, in Waverley Road.

The organising committee included the following councillors:

F. Baker (Chairman); H. Ashby; H. V. Berry; R. C. Brown; G. H. Crawford; R. W. Hampton; R. Hughes; H. Nicholls, JP, MP; F. Orgill; A. G. B. Owen; W. W. B. Owen; H. W. Partridge; G. W. Partridge, JP; W. Partridge; Mrs D. L. Purcell; J. A. Smith; W. W. Stanbury, JP; E. Sutton, E. Ward, JP; T. W. Wilkinson; along with 20 other members and T. H. Briggs, who was general secretary.

Light refreshments including ice cream, tea, sandwiches and cakes were available and from 6 pm. until 9 pm. and there was a licensed bar. There was also a horticultural marquee.

There was a funfair with sideshows, roundabouts, swing boats, hoopla and shooting stalls.

Musical selections were played by the Rubery Owen Brass Band and in the evening there was open air, old time and modern dancing.

Donkey and pony rides were available for children, along with a musical pony ride, a potato race on ponies and a trick cycling exhibition.

The athletic section included an 8 a side tug of war, with Birmingham City Transport versus Rubery Owen; and E. C. and J. Keay versus J. Garrington & Company Limited.

There were children's races and a javelin demonstration by Miss, J. M. Clarke and Miss C. Macdonald. There was also a discuss championship between Miss, J. M. Clarke, Miss C. Macdonald and Miss J. Coley.

The donkey derby featured 24 donkeys and jockeys.

The horticultural competition had prizes for vegetables of all kinds including onions, leeks, celery, potatoes, cauliflowers, carrots, peas, cabbages, turnips, marrows, cucumbers, tomatoes and shallots.

The flowers section included prizes for cut blooms, asters, carnations, dahlias, gladioli, chrysanths, sweet peas, mixed annuals, snapdragons and wild flowers.

There was also a competition for homemade jam.

The football stand in 2018.