From 'The Tackler's tale' parts 10 and 11.

I asked Fred about a story I had heard about Jacky Waterworth and a boxing match at the White Lion and here’s what he said: “Well It were Sammy Cragg and Jacky what were fighting. Well Sammy were a bit of a character, he’d been taken a prisoner twice in t’war you know, and escaped and that sort of thing and he were a bit of a boxer. Well I'm saying a bit of a boxer, he’d be as good as owt there were in Earby. And they arranged this 'cause Jacky fancied his self as a boxer, so they had it set out up in the top room, nobody ever went in the top room in them days. And eventually it gets out there’s going to be this boxing match. They had all the floor chalked, it were only oilcloth on the floor and they had it chalked like a ring and they were all the way round. And what did they call the fella? [Fred was trying to remember Stuart McPherson who did all the boxing commentaries on the wireless] There were a fella there wi’ a microphone and nowt attached to it, just like the microphone. Anyway he were a real good commentator and he's taping this to the BBC - Jacky thought it were on BBC And when they went into the corner you know for break, they daubed lipstick on Jacky’s gloves and then when they went in Sammy let him hit him, you know, all red on his face you know. And they were shouting “Give ower Jacky! Tha’s going to kill him!”

“Jacky's preening his self and he give him another and Cragg ‘ud go on the floor for about seven you know and this fella’s commentating just to perfection. And Jackie went into his corner again “Tha’rt doing well Jacky, keep it up, there’s nobody ever knocked him out afore.” “I’ll knock him out, I’ll knock him out!” All lipstick again tha knows and he's covered in blood is Sammy and Jacky’s knocking him down two or three times, just managing to get up in time you know. And then when he’s in his corner, Jacky's sat there
doesn’t ail a thing you know and they’re wafting Sammy and massaging him and rubbing him and giving him smelling salts. Then when they thought he’d had enough like he just give Jacky a belt, about first time he’d hit him you know, he didn't hit him too hard but he'd had enough had Jacky when he did. [Fred nearly chokes laughing] So he stopped the fight then did the referee. And he got his photo taken did Jacky. [The picture was in the pub for a long time afterwards, Jackie in shorts far too big for him.] And then they arranged a return and I think the police must have got to know sommat about it and he daren’t let ‘em have another do daren’t Sam Taylor, he were the landlord. You know it were, what would you call it? An exhibition or sommat and he weren’t licensed. So it didn’t come off again. But Jackie thought he were doing well and it were a real tip you know, if you'd have given a bob, which were a fair good do then. You'd have said I’ve getten a good bob's worth.”
SCG/02 May 2006

I’ve remembered the sequel to the great Waterworth v. Cragg fight at the White Lion. It appears that Jacky was convinced that he was a champion and for weeks afterwards anyone in the know would reckon to be frightened of him if they met on the street they would cross the road or hide in doorways. This was alright until Jacky met a bloke one day who didn’t know about his fearsome and entirely undeserved reputation. Jacky tried to face him down and ended up getting a severe beating. He modified his behaviour after this salutary incident.
There's a pic somewhere, look for it!!!!

From Earby Official Guide 1937/8

As far back as the history of our village can be traced, some of the most esteemed and "well-to-do" residents bore the name of Windle. In the parish register of Thornton-in-Craven, which was commenced in 1566, the name of Wyndle occurs, and in 1698 the name appears as Windle. In the year 1601, Christopher Windle was churchwarden of the Parish Church, and the renowned Grammar School was built and endowed by Robert Windle in 1594. The founda-tion of the School is a clear proof of the excellent character and generosity of the village benefactor, and as the old Eliza-bethan building is now used as the Council Library, and the income utilised for educational scholarships, the residents of Earby will be indebted to the Windle family for many generations in the future years. Two hundred and fifty years ago the old commodious and substantially built village hostel, "The White Lion" was erected by John and Jane Windle, the inscription over the central doorway being as follows: — Ioshva : IANE Windle : Ivne 29 RB. 1681 IB. This ancient hostelry was formerly visited by the pack horse riders for rest and refreshment, as well as for purposes of trade and barter, and the name of Windle must have been known through-out the North of England at that period. Consequent upon the introduction of the Baptist cause into Earby, the Windle families became associated with that denomination. In 1819 a company of Earby Baptists, who had been members of the Barnoldswick Baptist Church, decided to form a new church at Earby, and the name of John Windle appears at the head of the list, which also in-cluded the names of Hartley Windle and Betty Windle. Two years later, Hartley Windle began to officiate as a lay preacher. Coming down to members of the Windle clan who were known to villagers of the present day, it may be noted that the Windle name became linked by marriage with that other noted Earby family name, that of Wilkinson.

Seeing that the holiday season is still with us, it is refreshing to recall the varying methods of observing the holiday periods of recreation in other years. For time immemorial the Village Feast at Earby was held on the 'Sunday nearest the Tenth," in the month of July. The earliest date on which it can be observed is the 7th, and the latest date is the 13th.

At the time they originated, these village feasts were mainly utilised for family re-unions and festivity, and also for providing means of social enjoyment. They were a typical English countryside custom of "merry-making," and their general rise seems to belong to the "golden age" of English history, the glorious Elizabethan age. Almost every village had its "village green," which was the centre of the "Feast" social celebrations. Before the Enclosure Acts came into operation our village was well provided for in this respect, and the large green was on the higher ground in the middle: of the older part of the village. It was triangular in shape, with the "Cattle Gate" leading down to the Bull Ring on the eastern side, and on the western side was "Muck Street." (This is shown on the oldest maps in existence.) The Green had a large "delph," where the Baptist Chapel stands, and the ground sloped down to the village beck. There was no Water Street in those days; that is a modern thoroughfare.

The Green would have its "Maypole," around which the younger children could dance with great delight, and the youths and maidens, in their comely attire, would "trip the light fantastic toe" to the strains of a wandering fiddler. The sturdy men would have a bout of wrestling, and it is more than a legend that the Earby blacksmith, who had his forge upon the Green, was more than a match for all challengers. The older men would have a quiet game of quoits, and the elderly dames would quietly look upon the varied scene and indulge in friendly gossip. As the evening shadows began to fall many a gallant swain would saunter into the fields and woods with the fair maiden upon whom his heart was set by his side.

"The Tender Tale" Well has Burns expressed this rapture of the human heart in his immortal poem—"The Cotter's Saturday Night."

"If Heaven a draught of heav'nly pleasure spare, One cordial in this melancholy vale, ‘Tis when a youthful, loving, modest pair, In other's arms breathe out the tender tale Beneath the milk-white thorn that scents the ev'ning gale."

Sixty years ago there was only a small, bare plot of land which remained of the Village Green, and the outward ob-servances of the "Feast" were located around the village inn, the "White Lion." In front, along the side of the road, stood a few stalls, which usually appeared in the Market Street at Colne, and the best known stallholder was called "Swaggering Dick." Accom-modated in the inn yard were the shoot-ing galleries, swing boats, cocoanut "shies," and the long vertical "strength-tester." It was a fine sight to see a queue of sturdy men follow one another to the 'striking post," and the man who could ring the bell at the top was looked upon as a hero. Occasionally the "Feast" would be patronised by a small circus or show, and the performing animals, clowns and acrobats were an unfailing attrac-tion.

In 1885, owing to the illness of Mrs. Edmondson, wife of the innkeeper, the "Feast" attractions were removed to the bottom of Earby, to a plot of spare ground belonging to Mr. William Wright. When "Bill Reet," as he was popularly called, acquired the adjoining "Doffers' Croft," it became the rendezvous of the "Feast Fair" for the next twenty years, and it is known to this day as the "Fair-ground." With the increase in the population, the "Fair" became a fascinat-ing event, not only to Earby people, but also to the surrounding villages. Even from "Barlick"' crowds of young people used to swarm over the fields to go to the fair, and it is still remembered with delight by many people who made the excursion on the fine summer evenings.

With the advent of motor traction, the "Fair" attracted the swirling "Merry-go-rounds" and "Hobby Horses," with their flaring lights and mechanical organs, and all the paraphernalia of a modern fair.

Earby Feast, as a popular institution, came to an end soon after the extension of the holiday period to a full week, as there were not sufficient people left in the village to make it a paying proposition, but many regrets are still expressed at the passing of such a popular means of enjoyment.