Wigan Album

I came across this in a book I am reading at present. A man's recollections of growing up in St Helens by John D. Vose. who has written a few other books. One in particular about Leigh born TOM BURKRE 'THE LANCASHIRE CARUSO'. John was a collector of 78 rpm records I have actually met him. When I went to his home in Blackpool some 20 years ago

ONE of the greatest athletes the world has ever known comes leaping across this page - hotly pursued by a descendant who is keen to build up a complete picture of his sporting accomplishments.
Susie from Portsmouth is researching her family history which includes the legendary world champion jumper, Tom Colquitt, a spring-heeled son of Parr.
That’s why she’s invited customers of Whalley’s World to help her in her quest – and forwarded a number of interesting details, in the hope that it will jog a few veteran minds.
She asks: “Does anyone have any idea how old Tom was when at the height of his fame, and the span of his sporting career?”
Tom was a tremendous ‘novelty’ jumper. One of his early triumphs was a leap over the Blackbrook canal.
But his most spectacular party piece, during a turn-of-century professional reign, involved stand-jumping over horse-drawn hansom cabs!
Globe-trotting Tom set up a variety of extraordinary world records.
He leapt to new horizons in forward and reverse, sometimes using hand weights - swung pendulum-style to give additional propulsion.
The illustration forwarded by Susie was from a sporting handbill advertising an October attraction at Wigan’s Westwood Ground - but unfortunately the year it took place is not included in the blurb which announces that Tom Colquitt was attempting to smash two world records.
He was out to exceed the 60ft 6ins mark for six backward jumps; and he was primed for an attempt on the 81ft record for eight backward jumps. Incredible distances for a jumper in ‘reverse gear.’
And there was more . . .
Tom, said to have originated from the Parr Mount area of St Helens, was all set to give an exhibition of ten spring jumps with weights.
As a special incentive, a gold medal was offered for any local challenger who succeeded in beating Tom’s mark - while given the benefit of a 15-foot start!
The outcome of that great festival of jumping is buried somewhere in the mists of time.
The Star has managed to unearth this contemporary account of the legendary Tom leaping to a profitable triumph over his arch rival, and multiple British jump championship winner, Joseph Darby in Bury back in 1898
The London Sportsman reports how a jumping match which created widespread and general interest was decided at Bury. The contestants were the famous Joe Darby, of Dudley, and Thomas Colquitt.
Darby stands 5ft 8¼in in altitude, weight 12st, and was trained at Netherton by W. Wright. Colquitt is 5ft 9in in height, and tipped the beam at 11st 6lb.
Articles had been signed to compete at ten stand forward spring without weights jumps for £50 aside, and the championship. It is 17 years ago since Darby first challenged the world at stand spring jumps, and he earned the title of world champion by defeating Hamilton, the best man in America.
There were about 2000 spectators present, and betting closed at 2 to 1 on Darby.
Darby went on first, and covered 35½ yards. At this point Colquitt came out with the remark that it was thousands to nothing on himself, and this proved to be true, for he in his effort covered 39½yds thus beating record by 1ft 7½in. Darby had another attempt, but gave up after seven sprints, and thus lost the match, and the championship.
The result was received by the crowd with loud applause, and there is no doubt that Colquitt is a champion.