The Local Pub
The Ring is a local pub with a strong emphasis on boxing. The public house is run by an ex-army boxing champion and, on the first floor, a few pieces of equipment form a rudimentary gymnasium where local young hopefuls train and spar. To add even more colour, the walls of the pub are decorated with framed pictures of former boxing greats of a bygone era: ‘Bombardier’ Billy Wells, ‘Seaman’ Tommy Watson and ‘The Great’ Tommy Farr.
The Ring is a local pub with a strong emphasis on boxing. The public house is run by an ex-army boxing champion and, on the first floor, a few pieces of equipment form a rudimentary gymnasium where local young hopefuls train and spar. To add even more colour, the walls of the pub are decorated with framed pictures of former boxing greats of a bygone era: ‘Bombardier’ Billy Wells, ‘Seaman’ Tommy Watson and ‘The Great’ Tommy Farr.
The Chapel: ‘Reverend Rowland Hill’
The significance of pugilism becomes evident when the history of the location diagonally opposite from the pub is known. From 1910-1942 the site across the road was the famous (and notorious) Blackfriars Ring, London’s premier boxing arena. However, even before that, the very same octagonal building had, for almost a century, been the Surrey Chapel. The Surrey Chapel was built in 1782 for the use of the brilliant church orator, Reverend Rowland Hill (1744-1833). The unusual octagonal design came from Hill’s own specifications, ‘for it prevented the devil hiding in any of the corners.’. Reverend Hill was popular with his congregation and, on the occasion of his death, contributions from his followers were used to fund the building of Christ Church in Westminster Bridge Road as a memorial. By 1876, however, the congregation had dispersed to the other churches in Lambeth and the building was used only for illegal cockfighting (which eventually led to its closure in 1881).The Arena: ‘Bella Of Blackfriars’
In 1910, Bella Burge and her husband, the ex-prize fighter Dick Burge, acquired the lease for the Surrey Chapel, believing it would make the ideal boxing ring (their project had been delayed for some years due to Dick Burge’s unforeseen incarceration for large-scale fraud). However, in May 1910, the Surrey Chapel was reincarnated as The Ring, the first indoor boxing arena for the working classes. It was Bella Burge (a.k.a. ‘Bella of Blackfriars’) that first broke the taboo of women attending bouts in 1914 and her actress friends were among the first to become regular female denizens of The Ring’s matches. In 1918, Dick Burge died and Bella took over the management of The Ring (including personally breaking up fights and throwing out troublemakers). By the 1930’s however, the boxing business was taking heavy punches and Bella opted to put on variety shows to keep it standing, even pawning her jewellery for fighters wages, so that The Ring could make the last few rounds. In 1942, the final blow came when a bombing raid demolished the octagonal structure, a permanent knockout for a building that had lasted since 1782. A plaque now marks its former position and its memory.
In 1910, Bella Burge and her husband, the ex-prize fighter Dick Burge, acquired the lease for the Surrey Chapel, believing it would make the ideal boxing ring (their project had been delayed for some years due to Dick Burge’s unforeseen incarceration for large-scale fraud). However, in May 1910, the Surrey Chapel was reincarnated as The Ring, the first indoor boxing arena for the working classes. It was Bella Burge (a.k.a. ‘Bella of Blackfriars’) that first broke the taboo of women attending bouts in 1914 and her actress friends were among the first to become regular female denizens of The Ring’s matches. In 1918, Dick Burge died and Bella took over the management of The Ring (including personally breaking up fights and throwing out troublemakers). By the 1930’s however, the boxing business was taking heavy punches and Bella opted to put on variety shows to keep it standing, even pawning her jewellery for fighters wages, so that The Ring could make the last few rounds. In 1942, the final blow came when a bombing raid demolished the octagonal structure, a permanent knockout for a building that had lasted since 1782. A plaque now marks its former position and its memory.
THE 'BELLA OF BLACKFRIARS' WHO BROUGHT BOXING TO THE MASSES
John Prendergast, Southwark News, 17/03/08
(Their proofreader needs shooting)
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| At the Silver Jubilee of the Ring in 1935, Bella linked arms with the Master of Ceremonies Patsy Hagate and gave an impromptu dancing routine |
But one thing the scramble for tickets proved was you had to be in the know to get one, or have a big wedge of cash in your pocket to view one of Bermondsey's finest take part in a career defining event.
Promoters such as Frank Warren or Frank Maloney could learn a trick or two from a women who brought boxing to the masses, ensuring the common man was never priced out of an event, all during a time when the female of the species would never be seen at entering a night of boxing never mind promoting an event.
Bella Burge, know as 'Bella of Blackfriars', was born in New York in 1877, but following the death of her Father when she was only four her mother took her to London to bring her up.
Before she turned to a career in the noble art Bella developed a love for the stage, and she built a highly successful career which included tours of South Africa and appearances all over the UK.
It was at a show in 1901 when her life defining moment happened, she appeared on a bill with a boxer Dick Burge who made stage appearances to supplement his boxing work. They fell in love and were married by October of that year. The marriage hit hard times early on as Dick was arrested for a bank fraud involving £169,000, and was sent down for ten years for one of the biggest crimes of its types ever known.
She stood by her man while incarcerated, throwing herself into to her stage career while he was away, but on his release in 1909 they had to come to a decision as to what to do, as being 44 Dick's boxing days were clearly behind him.
He did want to make a comeback but the redoubtable Bella put her foot down, and insisted if he was to be involved in boxing he would only be a promoter.
They decided to set up their own venue with the aim of putting on bills for all to watch, or in her own words: "Our place would be no place for Nobs Dick, our patrons belong to the cloth cap and muffler brigade."
That was the ethos, the nobs had plenty of shows but the working class could not afford to go despite the fighters often coming from poorer backgrounds. The venue they selected was along Blackfriars Road and was built originally as the Surrey Chapel.
By the time they say the peculiar shaped circular building it was dilapidated, but the Burge's saw past that and viewed it as the perfect venue for their fights as a boxing ring would fit in well there. After negotiating a lease they had to clean the site of rubble, and Bella came up with the idea of using an army of down and outs to do the work in return for a decent feed.
The scheme was effective as The Ring staged its first bouts on May 14, 1910. Business was not brisk but to attract people to the venue they ran a soup kitchen that slowly built up awareness of the new venue, by October of the same year it was so high the money was rolling in on a regular basis.
Dick volunteered for the a Sportman's Battalion at the start of World War I, but the efforts of this took their toll on him and he died from double pneumonia in 1918. This was a major test of the resolve of Bella, as she promised her husband on his death bed that she would not close The Ring and carry on promoting events herself.
For a woman to take on the male dominated world of boxing was extraordinary, in the world outside women over 30 had only just gained the vote, but within the macho world of boxing women watching fights was sneered at never mind promoting whole bills.
But one thing she learnt from Dick was the boxers knack of getting to the punch first, and stamping your authority on a situations. On the first night she promoted an event after Dicks death, she stood in the ring in front of a baying all male crowd and repeated the promises she made to her husband, that being The Ring would continue under her guidance.
The tumultuous applause she received was said to be the basis of her future drive, and of her no nonsense approach. She got her hands dirty, when there was fights in the crowd she would personally confront the individual telling them to get out and get a refund on the way out. The warning would be issued to those around the fight in case they were in any doubt who was running the show.
Bills were successful for a while but one 'Nob' did gain entry in 1928, as the Prince of Wales made a visit for the night. The venue had put on 25 years of shows when it celebrated it Silver Jubilee in 1935 but hard times were around the corner.
By 1939 the money coming in did not cover the boxing purses or staff wages and she pawned most of her valuable to keep the place alive as long as she could. The Ring closed in the same year for refurbishments and to take stock, but a German bomber put an end to all dreams after a direct hit in 1940 turned the site into rubble.
She eased into a quieter life after this but her achievements were celebrated in an episode of This is Your Life in 1958, with guests from the world of music hall and boxing along to celebrate. She passed away in suddenly in 1962.
Where the boxing venue was is the site of The Ring pub now, and although it may attract a few too many nobs than Bella would like, the multitude of pictures of boxers that adorn the wall are a testament to what once went on there.
That was the ethos, the nobs had plenty of shows but the working class could not afford to go despite the fighters often coming from poorer backgrounds. The venue they selected was along Blackfriars Road and was built originally as the Surrey Chapel.
By the time they say the peculiar shaped circular building it was dilapidated, but the Burge's saw past that and viewed it as the perfect venue for their fights as a boxing ring would fit in well there. After negotiating a lease they had to clean the site of rubble, and Bella came up with the idea of using an army of down and outs to do the work in return for a decent feed.
The scheme was effective as The Ring staged its first bouts on May 14, 1910. Business was not brisk but to attract people to the venue they ran a soup kitchen that slowly built up awareness of the new venue, by October of the same year it was so high the money was rolling in on a regular basis.
Dick volunteered for the a Sportman's Battalion at the start of World War I, but the efforts of this took their toll on him and he died from double pneumonia in 1918. This was a major test of the resolve of Bella, as she promised her husband on his death bed that she would not close The Ring and carry on promoting events herself.
For a woman to take on the male dominated world of boxing was extraordinary, in the world outside women over 30 had only just gained the vote, but within the macho world of boxing women watching fights was sneered at never mind promoting whole bills.
But one thing she learnt from Dick was the boxers knack of getting to the punch first, and stamping your authority on a situations. On the first night she promoted an event after Dicks death, she stood in the ring in front of a baying all male crowd and repeated the promises she made to her husband, that being The Ring would continue under her guidance.
The tumultuous applause she received was said to be the basis of her future drive, and of her no nonsense approach. She got her hands dirty, when there was fights in the crowd she would personally confront the individual telling them to get out and get a refund on the way out. The warning would be issued to those around the fight in case they were in any doubt who was running the show.
Bills were successful for a while but one 'Nob' did gain entry in 1928, as the Prince of Wales made a visit for the night. The venue had put on 25 years of shows when it celebrated it Silver Jubilee in 1935 but hard times were around the corner.
By 1939 the money coming in did not cover the boxing purses or staff wages and she pawned most of her valuable to keep the place alive as long as she could. The Ring closed in the same year for refurbishments and to take stock, but a German bomber put an end to all dreams after a direct hit in 1940 turned the site into rubble.
She eased into a quieter life after this but her achievements were celebrated in an episode of This is Your Life in 1958, with guests from the world of music hall and boxing along to celebrate. She passed away in suddenly in 1962.
Where the boxing venue was is the site of The Ring pub now, and although it may attract a few too many nobs than Bella would like, the multitude of pictures of boxers that adorn the wall are a testament to what once went on there.
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| http://www.hedgerowbooks.com/?page=shop/flypage&wt=1.00&product_id=2857&CLSN_3978=131358952039786f38573c7085517836 |
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| http://www.museumoflondon.org.uk/Collections-Research/Research/Your-Research/X20L/objects/record.htm?type=object&id=93921 |
Print etching: The Audience
Producer: Boreel, Wendela
Date: c. 1910
Accession number: 79.449/3
Measurements: 20.4 x 26.2 cm
French-born Wendela Boreel studied art at London's Slade School under Henry Tonks. She also attended Sickert's evening classes at the Westminster Technical Institute and is regarded as one of his most talented pupils. Boreel was a skilled etcher. Her subject matter included portraits, landscapes, townscapes, and figures. She gave this print an alternative title, inscribing another copy with the words 'My very first etching - The Ring, Blackfriars'. Blackfriars Ring was a popular London boxing arena. Built in 1783, the octagonal building was originally the Surrey Chapel. Former British lightweight champion and boxing promoter Dick Burge bought the disused building in 1910. He and his wife Bella staged many boxing matches there, contestants including well-known fighters such as Len Johnson, Jack Drummond, Alf Mancini, Jack Hood and the legendary Ted 'Kid' Lewis. After Burge's death, Bella managed Blackfriars Ring until it was destroyed during an air raid in 1940. At the end of the 20th century, The Ring public house was all that remained of the historic boxing location.
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| http://www.artvalue.com/auctionresult--hamnett-nina-1890-1956-united-1-the-old-caf-royal-2-the-ring-1911864.htm |
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| http://www.mutualart.com/Artwork/The-Ring--Blackfriars/CF4D6FE589FD35A8 |
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