Great Houghton Greyhound Track Explained

Great Houghton Greyhound Track
Location:High Street, Great Houghton, South Yorkshire
Coordinates:53.5528°N -1.3508°W
Opened:1935
Closed:1954

Great Houghton Greyhound Track was a greyhound racing track located on High Street, Great Houghton, South Yorkshire.[1]

Origins

Thomas Jeffries Sides, the Mayor of Pontefract and Managing Director of the Pontefract Park Race Company and the Carters Knottingley Brewery Co Ltd allowed the construction of a second greyhound track on land owned by company; the first was in Upton, West Yorkshire.[2] A third track (Pontefract Greyhound Stadium) was also owned by the company which was run by W. J. Wilby following the death of Sides in 1938.[3]

Greyhound racing

The track was adjacent to the Old Hall Inn and was leased and opened by Mr J Button in 1935. The racing was independent (not affiliated to the sports governing body the National Greyhound Racing Club).[4] [5]

Following the death of Mr. Button in February 1941, the company bought the Old Hall Inn and found a new tenant Mr H.O.Butterfield. The site was valued in 1950 at £350, much less than sister track Pontefract. Mr. M.T. Armin took over in 1953, paying £200 for the fixtures and fittings and a lease of £25 per year.[6]

Closure

Due to falling attendances racing stopped in June 1954 and the field was incorporated into the tenancy of the inn.[4]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: OS Plan 1955-1956. old-maps.co.uk.
  2. News: Pontefract Race Company - 3 October 1935. 1935. Leeds Mercury.
  3. News: Pontefract Race Company - 7 July 1938. 1938. Leeds Mercury.
  4. Book: Barnes, Julia. Daily Mirror Greyhound Fact File. 1988. 417. Ringpress Books. 0-948955-15-5.
  5. Web site: GREAT HOUGHTON GREYHOUND STADIUM. Greyhound Derby.com.
  6. News: Hotels Licensed Premises - 28 February 1941. 1941. Yorkshire Evening Post .