Jack Wannop wants a go with… George Hackenschmidt?! (And it’s goodbye, for now, from Grappling With History)

It is with an extremely heavy heart – excuse the drama – that I have taken the decision to put Grappling With History on an ‘extended break’, in order to concentrate on my book proposal, continue research for the book, focus on my personal life and – fingers crossed – return to pro-wrestling training. All… Read More Jack Wannop wants a go with… George Hackenschmidt?! (And it’s goodbye, for now, from Grappling With History)

August 11, 2021 Sarah Elizabeth CoxLeave a comment

The Most Popular Man in New Cross (Introducing Jack Wannop to Carthorse Orchestra)

I was recently invited to Carthorse Orchestra, a charming online evening gathering of intimidatingly creative and literary types hosted by the author David Collard. Each week David organises an eclectic programme of short readings, discussion, film and performance to entertain and connect people during lockdown. The night was themed ‘wrestling with French literature or wrestling,… Read More The Most Popular Man in New Cross (Introducing Jack Wannop to Carthorse Orchestra)

April 21, 2021April 21, 2021 Sarah Elizabeth Cox1 Comment

“Here we find the courageous Cumbrian trying conclusions with half a pint of bitter” [Finding Wannop’s Gymnasium – Part II]

Trying to find the exact location of Wannop’s Gymnasium in New Cross has been one of the most time-consuming and frustrating parts of my research. As explained in a previous post, which pieced together all the evidence collected on my hunt and took an educated guess at an address, Wannop doesn’t appear to have been… Read More “Here we find the courageous Cumbrian trying conclusions with half a pint of bitter” [Finding Wannop’s Gymnasium – Part II]

April 29, 2020February 11, 2021 Sarah Elizabeth Cox1 Comment

Finding Wannop’s Gymnasium

If there is any mystery that has taken me as many hours of research and head-scratching as the disappearance of Hezekiah Moscow, it is the search for Wannop’s Gymnasium. It’s not quite as exciting a story, but I have at least come closer to a resolution. In the early to mid 1880s, Jack Wannop managed… Read More Finding Wannop’s Gymnasium

June 3, 2019February 11, 2021 Sarah Elizabeth Cox1 Comment

“It was worth all the journey to New Cross…”

Even today it is remarkable how many people have never heard of our fine bit of the city, or at the very least they roll their eyes upon requests to visit, believing it might be hours from the metropolis. Zone 2, guys. Zone 2. And it seems things weren’t much different in the 1880s –… Read More “It was worth all the journey to New Cross…”

March 6, 2019March 7, 2019 Sarah Elizabeth CoxLeave a comment

21 March 1887: Jack Wannop fills the New Cross House with fancy dogs

I was hoping to share a long blog post this week introducing you to the enigmatic wrestler, writer and referee Walter ‘The Cross-Buttocker’ Armstrong, but he is quite the character with quite the life, and it is taking longer than anticipated to do him justice. So instead I spent my lunch-break today writing up a… Read More 21 March 1887: Jack Wannop fills the New Cross House with fancy dogs

February 25, 2019February 25, 2019 Sarah Elizabeth Cox4 Comments

#justiceforstevethedonkey

On Wednesday 3rd February 1892 a most irregular thing occurred in New Cross (when does it not?). That morning’s copy of The Sporting Life reports: WANNOP’S GYMNASIUM, NEW CROSS GATE No-night [sic], a grand assault at arms, consisting of two six round boxing contests and exhibition wrestling and boxing. Also comic wrestling match. Mr Dais… Read More #justiceforstevethedonkey

February 23, 2019February 23, 2019 Sarah Elizabeth Cox4 Comments

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Grappling With History

Rediscovering Jack Wannop and the Wrestlers and Boxers of 1880s-'90s East and South East London

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