Barrow’s infamous Donkey Derbies

During BUSCA’s 50th year celebrations, we have indulged in many visits to memory lane. The one event that has cropped up repeatedly has been the Donkey Derby that was run by the Community Association for eight consecutive years, from 1974 to 1982 at Humphrey Perkins School.

The Community Association (now BUSCA) was formed in 1972 with the aim of creating a vibrant community centre at the school. It was quickly realised that the village needed to do some serious fundraising and in 1974 the annual accounts record a Christmas market, a barn dance, pancake races, a modern dance, two discos, a barbecue and the first Donkey Derby. The grand total raised was (only) £831 into the kitty.

This first Donkey Derby, on June 22nd, was officially opened once a parade of marching bands from the station car park had arrived at the Humphrey Perkins playing field behind the school. There were between eight and 11 races involving eight donkeys (yes, real donkeys) being ridden by children along a 150-yard course. The rules stipulated that the children had to be between 10 and 14 years of age; be under eight stones (50 kg) and wear a hard hat. After that, I guess health and safety policies didn’t feature! At least two people I spoke to assured me that there were races for under 5s, 5-7s and 7-11s. While the kids raced, the adults placed their bets. Failed bets were a main source of revenue for fund-raising. The donkeys were supplied by Jim Crowe from Frisby. Scurrilous comments suggested that Jim’s men knew which were the fastest donkeys and could make a packet on the tote. Some races involved little two-wheeled gigs pulled by the donkeys and ridden by adults or children. Each donkey in each race was sponsored by a local business, the donkey being given a relevant name and parentage. So, for the donkey sponsored by Webster & Barnes (newsagent and confectioner) in Race No. 1, The Supporters’ Stomp, donkey number six was called Sweet Delight (its parents were called Confection and Pocket Money). Someone had fun making up 64 sets of names each year!

You can imagine the scene: big crowds gathered along the course, plenty of colour, noise and hugely excited kids. But that wasn’t all because the Donkey Derby was also an opportunity for other village organisations to fund-raise. David (my husband) and I ran a popular Smash the Crockery stall in aid of Barrow Playgroup. Each year we took a Land Rover and trailer to a pottery in Swadlincote and returned, overloaded with biscuit-fired seconds of cups, saucers, plates, bowls of all shapes and sizes. We erected a wooden shelving unit on the field and laid out crockery items for the paying public to smash by throwing small wooden blocks. We were so absorbed in running this stall that I have very few memories of the racing itself. Another stall that was repeatedly described was the Scout jumbo slide. Scouts brought a long wooden slide that children could ride down sitting on a little trolley. You would never be allowed to do that nowadays but we didn’t actually kill or maim anyone!

In between races, each Donkey Derby featured a Special Attraction. In 1977, the Everard’s Kamakazi Motor Cyclists gave two performances. There was also a display of falconry. In 1978, there was Medieval Jousting (not on donkey-back!) and in 1979 a thrilling Wild West Rodeo performed (again, not on donkeys!). One year, parachutists descended onto the field, startling the donkeys. By 1981 the organisers had really got the hang of keeping people busy and ready to part with their money to see displays of radio-controlled racing cars including some which were full-size; a land yacht; a hang glider; rides on a little steam train; and archery.

As though the organisers weren’t busy enough on each Donkey Derby day, they then went on to run a very popular evening barn dance in the school hall. We had stamina in those days! These Donkey Derbies had become an expected part of village life so when, in 1983 there was none, you can imagine the complaints. However, in 1986, the first Barrow Running Festival was organised by Mike Morley and his team, and it very largely took the place of the Donkey Derby. But that’s another story. 

Judith Rodgers

Do YOU have any photos of one of the Donkey Derbies? BUSCA would love to see anything you have. Please contact Judith Rodgers on 07718 153 117 or editor@barrowvoice.co.uk