POWER COURT
I was asked to investigate what Power Court was used for before the power station and houses arrived with a particular interest in football.
Unfortunately I have not been able to find any direct reference to football being played on the Power Court site at any time. I have looked at my own research, British Newspaper Archive and numerous books on Luton including the 2 volumes of the History of Luton.
I had numerous tantalising nearly moments during my research such as a cricket pitch on the site of Hayward Tyler (just the other side of Crawley Green Road) in the 1860’s. This should not surprise us as the land both sides of the river is flat, a rare thing in pre railway Luton. The first railway line (known later as the Bute Street line which ran from Welwyn to Leighton Buzzard via Luton and Dunstable) was completed in 1858 and ran through many meadows in the Power Court area.
The Luton Times was first published in 1855 so before then we had the Bedfordshire Times and Mercury, and others, giving a brief and occasional mention to Luton. There are recollections of the town which I have looked at such as T.G. Hobbs the photographer and travel agent. There is a reference by Mayor John Cotchin to playing football in the early 1830’s. There is another reference which stuck in my mind about “playing” by the river although I cannot trace where I found this. There is a reference to Christ Church Institute playing on Institute Meadow in Park Street in the 1880’s but the exact location is unknown.
The 1844 tithe map, below, shows drainage ditches or drains on part of the land by the river. There were quite a few floods in early and pre Victorian times when the river burst its banks. Private land owners dug the ditches to make their own land usable as well as for the benefit of the town. The Parish Church is in plot 1087 and the Vicarage in 1089.
I will now set out what we do know. Power Court used to be known as Saffron Garden before the railways arrived in 1858. There are few references so we do not know the reason for the name. I suspect that prior to treatment works, the town use to let some raw sewage drain into the river so the name Saffron was used to disguise that area of the river in the same way reed beds are often known as Fragrant Gardens.
There are also references to Pleasure grounds between George Street and the river. To a Victorian this means laid out gardens and a place to promenade.
There are various mentions of gatherings at St. Mary’s Church vicarage which is on the Power Court site. At this time a “tea party” would involve games afterwards. The following clip refers to a tea party given in Houghton Regis for the schools of the neighbourhood. It is from the Bedfordshire Mercury of the 25th August 1849 –
“Mr Gibbs then appeared…….and ran off to the centre of a tumultuous crowd of some hundreds of boys………and who was loaded with footballs. Directly the footballs touched the sward [grass] of the park away went scores of boys after each one; while from among the spectators in the park, who were at least twice as numerous as the children, men ran out in numbers, scattered the light troop of boys, and kicking, running and scuffling with the greatest eagerness: even grave seniors, with corpulent stomachs, forgetful of their dignity, and unable to resist the temptation, ran and kicked vigorously at it whenever an opportunity offered.”
This demonstrates the popularity of football amongst boys and men of all ages and also that football at a tea party was one of the usual games played. The following clip, from the Luton Times of the 16th August 1862 is typical –
“SCHOOL TREAT – The children of the Wooden and Parish Church Sunday Schools were treated to tea in the meadow at the rear of the Vicarage, on Friday afternoon last. Including the teachers, nearly 700 sat down. A shower interrupted the games after tea, and the company retired about 8 p.m.”
And from the Luton Times of the 21st September 1867 –
“Parish Church Sunday Schools.- The annual tea and holiday in connection with the above schools was given on Thursday, 12th inst. The teachers and scholars met at their respective schools at half-past one, and then proceeded to church where a short and appropriate service was conducted previous to entering the meadow. After service they were taken to the vicarage meadow, where they enjoyed themselves with various amusements until tea time. Tea was provided in the meadow. After tea several fire balloons were sent up. At dusk the schools assembled at the Iron-room to see a number of magic lantern views, after which they all returned home, highly pleased with their day’s amusement.”
Also from the Luton Times of the 6th August 1870 –
“St. Mary’s Church Sunday School Treat. – On Tuesday afternoon last the Vicarage ground and meadow adjoining were enlivened by the young people connected with the above school, who were there in great numbers. After various recreative games they partook of tea, cake etc. In the evening the children were much interested in the ascent of some large fire balloons.”
The Vicarage Meadows were used for various events such as an Agricultural Show in July 1872 as reported by the Luton Times (6/7/1872) –
“The Agricultural Show._ At a meeting held on Wednesday at the offices of Mr. John Cumberland, it was decided that the show will take place in St. Mary’s Vicarage Meadows, which together contain about nine acres. In addition to all the attractions of the show, the Coldstream Guards’ Band will play on the ground, and these performances will alone be worth the shilling admission fee, which admits to every part of the show, agricultural, horticultural, poultry, etc. Refreshments will be provided on the ground.”
From the Luton Reporter of 28th March 1891 –
“Messrs. John Sanger and Sons’ circus which is now on a farewell tour, is announced to pay a visit to the town to-day (Friday) in the Vicarage Meadows.”
Sangers Circus is shown in the two photos below parading through town.
Additional information
The 1855 map (below) shows the proposed (Bute Street) railway line – Welwyn to Leighton Buzzard via Luton and Dunstable.
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8th July 2024.