Castleford Museum remembers the town’s world famous Reight Neet Aht
Wednesday, October 02, 2024
Castleford Museum’s latest display uncovers the fascinating story of the town’s unique Reight Neet Aht.
The star-studded annual marbles contest ran from 1936-1958 and was a charity gala that raised money for hospitals and good causes.
“The Reight Neet Aht is such a brilliant, unexpected story full of local character and international glitz and glamour.
“I think visitors will be amazed to find out about all the stars who took part and to discover all the quirky details – it had everything from pork pies and pancakes to zebra stripes and sequins! I hope lots of people will visit the museum to uncover the full story for themselves.”
Cllr Hannah Appleyard
Cabinet member for Culture, Leisure and Sport
Reight Neet Aht was introduced in 1936 by local journalist, Sid Colclough. It began as a marbles game between former miners and local councillors and became an annual charity event complete with music, dancing, entertainment and food.
Colclough secured celebrity patrons and added new twists and themes each year.
Reight Neet Aht attracted international media coverage and put Castleford on the global map.
The objects and images on display, from the Wakefield Museums & Castles collection and the Castleford Local Studies library, include the rugby ball kicked by Castleford’s legendary, record-breaking rugby league captain, Arthur Atkinson, and marbles sent by singer, actor and comedian, Gracie Fields.
A banjolele belonging to famous entertainer, George Formby takes centre stage in the display. The star object is kindly lent by the George Formby Society. Formby took part in the 1940 Reight Neet Aht. Castleford held a special place in his heart as it was where he met his wife, Beryl.
Visitors can have a go at marbles and challenge their friends and family to a game with the museum’s special board. There’s even glamorous dressing up to help get in the spirit.
The Reight Neet Aht display is on now at Castleford Museum and will run throughout 2024.
Further information about Reight Neet Aht is available at https://bit.ly/ReightNeetAht
For opening hours and visitor information see: https://experiencewakefield.co.uk/venue/castleford-museum/
For information
Visitors can also see trophies and souvenirs from the competition. These were made by local glass factories and potteries, and local workers also competed in the marbles tournaments.
In 1953’s all-women’s contest, a team of Castleford factory girls took on a famous socialite, Lady Docker.
Lady Docker also stars in newsreel footage from Reight Neet Aht. Both British Pathe and Movietone covered the event each year and visitors to the museum can enjoy clips from their reports.
Reight Neet Aht had its own luxury leather bound guest book. Its marbled pages are signed by the event’s famous patrons and local dignitaries. See whose name you can spot in the original book then leave your own autograph and message in the museum’s replica visitor book.