This is why I like going to Wednesfield History Society so much!
Not is it just a meeting, it is also full of great Wednesfield people who like a laugh, but are serious about the Village history!
Last night was a great meeting it had a little bit of everything!
It was full for a start. During the course of the evening there was a great poem read by Jackie Harrison. It was written by an unknown person. But it dealt with the long time rivalry between Wednesfield and Willenhall.
Jackie Harrison read it perfectly, and it amused us all…..it was about a cockfighting!
Please enjoy the poem….you can let me have your comments also. Thanks Jackie for the reading and thank you Ray Fellows for the hard work you do in making our evenings a success.
| At Wednesfield at one village wake, |
| the cockers all did meet |
| at Billy Lane’s, the cockfighter’s, |
| to have a special treat. |
| For Charley Mason’s spangled cock |
| was matched to fight a red |
| that came from Will’n’all, o’er the fields, |
| and belonged to cheeky Ned. |
| Two finer birds in any cockpit |
| there never yet was seen, |
| though the Wednesfield men declared |
| their cock was sure to win. |
| The cocks fought well, and feathers flew |
| all round about the pit, |
| while blood from both of ‘em did flow |
| yet neither would submit. |
| At last the spangled Wedgefield bird |
| began to show defeat, |
| when Billy Lane he up and swore |
| the bird should not be beat. |
| For he would fight the biggest man |
| that came from Will’n’all town, |
| And on the word, old cheeky Ned |
| got up and knocked him down. |
| To fight they went like bull dogs |
| as it is very well known, |
| til cheeky Ned seized Billy’s thumb |
| and bit it to the bone. |
| At this the Wednesfield men began |
| their comrade’s part to take, |
| and never was a fiercer fight |
| fought at a village wake. |
| They beat the men from Will’n’all |
| back to their town again, |
| and long they will remember |
| this Wednesfield wake and main. |
Anonymous – 20th Century
