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
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…”
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
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
