Whitsuntide and the opening of the Westcountry Wrestling season Introduction Whitsuntide — the feast of Pentecost and its surrounding week, falling fifty days after Easter — occupied a distinctive and largely irreplaceable position in the traditional sporting calendar of Devon and Cornwall. For wrestlers, their backers, subscribers, and spectators across the two counties, it functioned […]
or, Westcountry play: Folk Wrestling at the Salutation Inn, Topsham. This article was an invited contribution to The Topsham Times, the official journal for members of The Topsham Museum. Visitors to the Salutation Inn (affectionately known as ‘The Sally’) will know it today as one of Topsham’s finest dining establishments, diligently restored by the Williams-Hawkes […]
Since 2003, an extensive archive focused on Westcountry Martial Arts has been compiled using various sources. Published works include ‘Westcountry Wrestling: A Comprehensive Guide’ and a compendium of ‘Cornish Wrestling.’ Upcoming projects involve practical guides on cudgelling and a comprehensive history of Devon Wrestling for publication by 2026, with future additions anticipated.
With today’s 199 year anniversary of this famous match, we wanted to take the time to consider this major event in the history of Westcountry Wrestling. Picture this: thousands of spectators packed tightly together, tension thick in the air, as two legendary athletes prepare to face off in a contest that has captured the imagination […]
Welcome to the dynamic, fun and exciting sport and martial art of Devonshire and Cornish Wrestling. We’re gearing up to provide a website fit for the sport, and to introduce it to the world beyond the Westcountry.