One upon a time Todmorden was in both Lancashire and Yorkshire. Normally Lancashire to Yorkshire you think of going over the top and dropping into Huddersfield. But not so Todmorden. I am very familiar with the road from Rochdale through Littleborough , through Todmorden and out the other side to Hebden Bridge. Not over the top but right through the middle of huge hills. The only other road into Todmorden is from Burnley. The crossroads where these roads meet is where the Town Hall is, It's a tale of the Town Hall as well , which had a capacity of only 250 people for events. Before I push on though , I will show you that earlier than the Town Hal there has been an effort to show wrestling in the market place.
Nothing much there to say it was the big time . but one or two familiar names , and certainly links to catch wrestlers.
Ten years later some sort of connection to Joe Reid and Jim Bevan , But for me under the creativity of Sean O'Shea , who I believe was Paul Jefferson.
So that's the Market Place to the Town Hall
Click for bigger image.
Fast forwards to 1962 and 1964 , Joe Reid and Jim Bevan are still at it. Joe and Jim put on legendary long bouts together , often eight rounds of entertaining stuff. Not quite clear who is promoting , there are plenty on these bills that have done a bit of promoting. This is going to be a tale of various Promoters having a go.
There is enough here for now to study and names to untangle. All for now , but soon some more to come.
But who was Pete Pye?