Guest Writer
In 1964 University of York students set out to create a competition in which they could publicly “knock the hell out of Lancaster”, and reignite the ancient battle of the Wars of The Roses. They attempted to transform the university’s campus into a reenactment of Bosworth field in 1487 – minus the horses, metal armour and gory deaths. So if you want to hear about the creation of the largest inter-university competition in Europe, and more importantly York’s convincing win over Lancaster in 1965, read on…
The Beginning of the Wars of the Roses
After a ‘less than sober evening in a public house near Micklegate’, the idea for the Roses was born.
Alumnus Ray Ward tells the story:
“I was with York students, Richard Miles, David Wood, Barry Tyrell, Peter Pexton and Lancaster students, David Cooper having two discussions in York in 1964-65 about starting the War of Roses. The first discussion was when Cooper came to York City Rowing Club to buy some rowing blades. However, through the support of the internal student newspaper, Nouse, further developments were suggested. Lord James, the Vice Chancellor at the time, was very supportive. He was proactive about most student activities outside the academic sphere.
Thankfully, there was not too much hard work getting the War of Roses contests started, both universities back then had relatively small numbers of students so we enjoyed easy access to management’.”
The students wanted to plan a three day sporting programme beginning on May 14, in which they would invite the best Lancastrian athletes to compete in 10 different sports: from table tennis to rugby, football and mixed hockey.
After attending Oxford University, Lancaster Vice-Chancellor Charles Carter hoped the boat race would mimic that of the Oxford-Cambridge Boat race created in 1829. Lord James, York’s first Vice-Chancellor also spoke about his desire to see the York versus Lancaster race established as a home and away fixture – one year to be rowed on the River Lune at Lancaster, and the next on the Ouse at York.
Let the Race Begin
So, what went down on the day?
According to alumnus David Corkill, “The first-ever boat race took place in beautiful weather.”
The two teams took to the River Ouse in York – where the event was a sprint from Clifton Bridge and Lendal Bridge, in boats hired from York City Rowing Club. Lancaster were first around the bend, closely followed by the York team. Incredibly, York managed to shoot ahead and lay claim to victory! A report from Yorkshire Illustrated perfectly captured the chaos:
“By the time the crews reached the finishing line, with York pulling out a 23-length lead after a determined spurt, the enthusiasm was at fever pitch. Even the policemen were cheering.”
The York fours crew beat the Lancaster crew by two-and-a-half lengths, in four minutes and thirty seconds!
York also took the win in badminton, cricket, football, road relay and tug-of-war, while drawing the mixed hockey match 1-1. On the flip side, alumna Patricia Heath remembers an ill-fated tennis match from the weekend with her partner Hilary:
“I played tennis with my partner Hilary, and we were concerned when we learnt that one member of the Lancaster tennis team, against whom we were drawn, had played at Junior Wimbledon.
Our match was scheduled for the morning after the Ball, so we were very relieved to see her being carried out at about 2am. We turned up the next morning, rather more hopeful. Then she served. Neither of us saw it and needless to say we did not win.”
York Emerge Victorious
Would you believe that the first Roses ended in a Tug of War?
There were plans to stretch a rope out across the campus lake, although post-tournament reports conclude that the day ended on Heslington Lawn, where a team of York students easily beat Lancaster University by two straight pulls to give the White Rose a convincing overall win of 13 points to five.
They were presented with a trophy bought by the two Vice-Chancellors, Lord James, York, and Mr. Charles Carter, of Lancaster.
The Victory Night Out
David Corkill recalls the victory celebrations, which even boasted a performance from a young Elton John!
“Following the sporting action, the evening entertainment took place at Heslington with Long John Baldry as the headline act. I was given the task of chaperoning him whilst he waited to go on stage, a task made more difficult by the fact that he was much the worse for wear with drink.
Apart from playing the lead singer with beer I also engaged in conversation with the rest of the band and it was only later that I realised that the piano player was a certain Reg Dwight (later better known as Elton John).”
Overall, the legacy left by those first students can be summed up by student newspaper Nouse’s coverage of the tournament:
“Although Lord James said after lunch that he did not know what history will make of this first “Roses Weekend”, he was certainly right in that it will stretch forward into history.”
Want to find out all the scores from this year’s Roses, taking place on home soil right here in York? Check out the Roses Live website.
Much of the information in this article was sourced from the Borthwick Archives at the University, which is currently looking to expand their collection of Student Life Material. If you would like to find out more or donate material, head to the Student Life Collection webpage.
