Something to look forward to again thing year is the Cumberland & Westmoreland Wrestling which to take place on Sunday 18th July, at this year's show.
The photograph of Hexham Clarke (left), a well known Cumberland and Westmorland style Heavyweight wrestler, was taken in the late 1890's. He wears a championship belt which was generally rated more highly than the financial rewards.
The wrestling costume (no boots, belts or braces) was 'de rigeur' from 1852 until recent years, and even today, the traditional costume is compulsory for World Championship contests in Cumbria. At Grasmere, competitions are held to select the best dressed wrestlers in different groups. Highly decorative designs result, but they must always have the initials of the wrestler built into the design somewhere...read more
