Grapples of Yesteryear on The Compendium

Grapples of Yesteryear on The Compendium  

It is with a most delightful sense of anticipation that I inform you of the impending premiere of The Compendium on the illustrious Super Channel. This splendid new series is set to showcase a veritable cornucopia of archive footage, all dedicated to the rather extravagant pastime of professional wrestling in Britain. Our inaugural episode transports us to the bustling arena of Preston, where, on a rather nippy January day in 1961, a spirited assembly of 794 spectators gathered to witness no fewer than three thrilling bouts. 

The proceedings are deftly orchestrated by none other than the esteemed broadcaster Harold William-Walker, whose dulcet tones guide us through a series of riveting contests. Among the highlights, we shall witness the valiant Billy Henderson tackling Arthur Carson in a heavyweight tussle—surely a contest that had the audience on the edge of their seats! Meanwhile, the ever-spirited Robert Greenwood must face the rather unruly Eric Addinson. However, the pièce de résistance arrives when Jock Armstrong  and Roy Patrick compete for the vacant British Welterweight Championship.

As our fair nation finds itself in the throes of social change and cultural evolution in 1961, The Compendium encapsulates the very essence of the times, celebrating both the athleticism and the sheer entertainment that wrestling provides. With the much-anticipated FA Cup Final Special looming on the horizon, this programme is destined to become an integral fixture in the realm of sports broadcasting—a veritable gem amidst the tumult of a transforming society. Do keep your monocles polished and your tea at the ready; this promises to be a marvellous affair.