INTRO

Transformational Shift in Labor :

This era of change signifies an important shift in the labor force, transitioning from
traditional manual labor in homes and fields to the functioning of factories.

-Gradual Onset and Mechanization : The mechanization of industries such as cotton

spinning occurred rapidly, fundamentally altering the landscape of work.

- Population Surge :
The doubling of Britain's population from 1750 to 1800 heightened the demand for
solutions in food, clothing, and employment to which Britrain suggested
modernizing agriculture to efficiently feed a growing population with fewer farmers and
provide jobs for the increasing population—a strategy deemed reasonably successful by
Jonathan Sperber in the long run.

-Miseries endured by the Working Class

LEISURE
The Oxford English Dictionary defines leisure as ‘free or unoccupied time ... which one
can spend as one pleases’.
EP Thompson quote
Evolution of Leisure by Hugh Cunningham :

Hugh Cunningham says how leisure changed in England from 1780 to 1880 due to the
Industrial Revolution and points out changes in leisure habits during this time.

Leisure Habits Transformation by 1880 : Cunningham argues that the basics of how we
enjoy our free time today were already in place by 1880.

Recognition of off-days: The recognition of the weekend as a dedicated period for

leisure marked a significant development. Off-days allowed workers to engage in
various activities, from attending cultural events to spending time with family,
contributing to the establishment of a distinct leisure consciousness.

Leisure as a Fulfilling Life Element : Leisure became increasingly viewed not just as time
away from work but as a crucial aspect of a fulfilling life.

SPORTS

E.P. Thompson & Robert Malcolmson on sports as leisure : E.P. Thompson argued that
sports and pastimes were intrinsic to historical culture. His student, Robert
Malcolmson, in "Popular Recreations in English Society, 1700-1850," meticulously
reconstructed the pre-industrial leisure world. This work argued the rituals, social
functions, and the decline of traditional leisure, especially in the 1830s and 1840s.
 H.E. Meller’s exploration of changing sports and culture : Meller, who focuses from 1870
to 1914, notes that despite efforts by the middle class to bring people together through
activities like sports, differences in wealth and status persisted. The city's expansion
made it more challenging for everyone to connect directly, and the middle class didn't
fully share their cultural interests with the working class.

Tony Mason’s study on Soccer :

explores whether football was genuinely the people's game and, if so, how it
contributed to the quality of working-class life. Additionally, Mason delves into the
relationship between the professional game and the emergence of commercialized mass
leisure. His inquiries align with broader social history trends, echoing speculation that
soccer may have played a role in diluting radical class consciousness among workers.

-Working class exclusion from sports :

Working-Class Exclusion from Sports
In the early stages, sports were exclusive, shutting out the working class. While upper-
class schools embraced athletics, their working-class counterparts were directed
towards drills, with a government rationale that leisure would become a luxury once the
working class entered the workforce.

Transformation of Athletic Clubs The birth of the Amateur Athletic Club (AAC) in 1866
seemed promising, but it initially excluded the working class, claiming an intellectual
disadvantage. The Northern Counties Athletic Association intervened in 1879, leading to
the AAC's transformation in 1880 into the more inclusive Amateur Athletic Association.

Rise of Football
Football, faced challenges for working-class teams in Northern England. The upper
class, lost interest from soccer, and called the sport as the "acme of athletic horrors."
However, Peter Bailey says football became a ground for healthy class competition.

Cricket as a popular pastime: Cricket was a popular pastime for all Victorians, and for
the working class, it wasn't just a game but a potential career opportunity. Taking
cricket seriously allowed them to seek recognition and find identity outside of work,
aligning with working-class norms. Historian Peter Bailey highlights that cricket clubs
not only offered recreation but also contributed to the community identity of the
working class during a time of social and economic change.

PARKS
Emergence of Public Parks in the 1830s : Imagine a time in the 1830s when the idea of
public parks started taking root. We might wonder what was the main goal? The goal
was to make crowded industrial towns healthier places where people could live.
Diverse attractions: music, sports & horiticultural displays : Especially for the working
class, these parks were more than just beautiful places, seen as spots where people
could better themselves. Beyond their aesthetic appeal, parks offered various
attractions – music, sports facilities, and horticultural displays – often complemented
by cultural institutions like museums, art galleries, or libraries.

Parks as spaces for self-improvement :

Cunningham tells us that by the 1850s in Manchester, parks were not just places to
stroll; they were changing habits. Instead of hanging out in pubs or on the streets, the
working class was dressing up and spending their leisure time in these parks.

Reduction of Societal issues :

Parks, with their varied attractions and educational components, were believed to
contribute to the reduction of societal issues such as crime, trespassing, and
drunkenness. Historians have extensively explored these utilitarian aspects, showcasing
how public parks played a pivotal role in shaping society, with a particular focus on the
working class and their improved quality of life.

Opening in 1870, Alexandra Park did include spaces for recreation from the outset. In
1869, Mr Hennell won the prize to design the park including large lawns, a cricket pitch
and a water body nearby.