Newspaper and magazine articles about John Hulley

1866 Jul 7 The Illustrated London News – The Olympic Festival at Llandudno
The pleasant and fashionable watering-place of Llandudno, on the coast of North Wales, possessing as it does the natural attractions of the picturesque and romantic scenery of Great Orme’s Head, has been enlivened this summer, as it was in the summer of 1865, with a series of public entertainments. This festival was got up mainly by the efforts of Colonel Hugh Walmsley, a gentleman residing in the neighbourhood, with the aid of Mr Hulley, the able and popular conductor of the Liverpool Gymnasium; Mr W. B. Hughes, M.P.; and an influential local committee had also exerted themselves in the common cause.

The Athletic Society of Great Britain, established in 1860, had arranged to hold its first meeting called an Olympic Festival, at Llandudno on this occasion. The proceedings, which included a regatta, with a yacht-race from Liverpool, a variety of gymnastic performances, and a sort of Venetian carnival to crown the festivities, took place on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday week. All passed off with entire success. We give an Illustration of the Feast of Lanterns, in the evening of the last day.

1866 Aug 11 The Penny Illustrated Paper – Our Gossiper - At the National Olympic Festival
Held on 31st July at the River Thames at Teddington for aquatic events and 1st August at the Crystal Palace cricket ground for other events. (Including) A turbaned gentleman, attired in the garb of a Turk was supposed to represent the East at the Olympian Festival, but the fancifully-dressed one turned out to be the Gym - wait a minute, I'll spell it directly -- the Gymnasiarch of Liverpool, John Hulley, and whom (as our friend "Old Nicholas” would remark in Fun), no more gorgeously apparelled.

1867 Jan 2 Liverpool Mercury –The Gymnasium
To The Editors of the Liverpool Mercury
Gentleman, - On Saturday I was present during the distribution of prizes amongst the ladies classes of the Gymnasium. As an encouragement to the junior members, I would suggest that a special prize should be given for which only those under 14 years of age could compete. I would further suggest that "honourable mention" might also be made of those who merit it.

Mr Hulley's arrangements are all so admirable that perhaps it may seem presumptuous for me to propose that after the giving away of the prizes, if it is not considered feminine for the ladies themselves to audibly applause either by clapping or by the parliamentary. "Hear, hear," the band should have orders to strike up to relieve a somewhat damping quietness, which at that moment prevails. I understand Mr Hulley has some idea of building an additional dressing-room for the ladies, and I have heard many of the matrons remark that it would increase the numbers considerably if this room were fitted up with wooden cells, capable of holding parties of three or four, being either friends or of one family, for which an additional charge might be made - those who do not wish to pay this extra charge to resort to the old dressing rooms. –

Yours, &c., AN OBSERVER
December 29, 1866.

1867 Feb 5 Liverpool Mercury – The Liverpool Gymnasium
Last evening, one of those displays which have greatly contributed to the popularity of gymnastics, took place at the institution in Myrtle-street, which has Mr Hulley for its chief. These exhibitions of what athletic training can achieve do not seem to wane in attractiveness by repetition.

Last night, all those parts of the splendid hall available for visitors were crowded, and even standing room was scarcely to be obtained. A few trophies of flags gave a festive appearance to the interior, but the hall owed its exceptional grace to the large number of ladies who were present to countenance and applaud the efforts of the athletes The chair was occupied by Col Sir John Jones, K.C.B., and amongst those present were noticed Mr Alderman Hubback, Mr Councillor C. P. Melly, Mr Councillor Holt, Mr George Melly, Mr P. H. Rathbone, Mr T. S. Raffles, the Rev. Nevison Loraine, H. Campbell, &c.

At eight o'clock precisely, about a hundred of the senior members of the gymnasium, dressed in their picturesque uniform, marched into the hall, and took up their positions upon the open space reserved for the exercises. Sir John Jones, who entered immediately afterwards, was greeted with loud cheers. On taking the chair, he said that it is afforded him great pleasure to preside on that occasion. He had been present at every gathering of that character ever since the institution had been established, and has always experienced the greatest gratification. Although they had not assembled for the purpose of listening to speeches, he must say, and he was sure we would all agree with him, that Mr Hulley, by whom the institution was founded, had carried it on most successfully. ("Hear," and applause.) The large audience, whom he saw around, and the number of members present to take part in the exercise is, are quite sufficient to prove us that Mr Hulley's efforts have been rewarded with success, and that they were widely and highly appreciated. (Applause.) He would not detain them longer, except to say that he was satisfied the performance, which is. They were about to witness would be a source of pleasure to all. (Applause.)

1867 Mar 30 Liverpool Mercury – The Liverpool Gymnasium
Last evening another of those most popular entertainments, known as "assaults at arms" took place at the Gymnasium, in Myrtle-street. The attractiveness of these displays was again proved by the large assemblage, which occupied the floor and filled the galleries of the fine hall, which, decorated with trophies of flags and brilliantly illuminated, presented a most animated appearance. A large number of ladies, many of them in full dress, gave additional grace to the scene. For the gymnasts themselves the occasion had a special interest, inasmuch as it had been selected for the presentation of the "diplomas" which had been awarded to those who have distinguished themselves in various exercises during the year.

Major Bushby presided, and amongst those present were Sir John Jones, K. C. B, and party; Mr Reginald Haigh and party, Mr Charles Langton and party, Mr F. Hornby and party, Mr A H., Lemonius and party, Col M‘Corquodale and party, Mr Stolterfoht and party, Mr Mackay and party, Mr C. Stoess and party, Mr G. Ross and party, Mr Rivers and party, &c.

Previous to the commencement of the proceedings, Mr P. B. Drinkwater, one of the leading directors, said he was sorry to have to announce that Mr Hulley was unable to be present, owing to the recent death of a near relative. His place as director of the exercises would be filled by Mons. Durbec (the professor of fencing at the Gymnasium), and he (Mr Drinkwater) was sure it would be a great satisfaction to Mr Hulley to hear that the exercises had been performed with the efficiency and alacrity displayed on previous occasions.

1867 May 23 Liverpool Mercury - A Gymnasium for Rugby
Physical education is rapidly assuming its proper position in the course at our first-class public schools. Rugby is the latest example of this frank adhesion to the new athletic faith. At the tercentenary meeting of the committee, held in London last week, it was decided that a gymnasium should be erected,. Sir Philip Egerton and Mr. Reginald Cholmondeley were deputed to communicate with Mr. Hulley on the subject.

1867 May 29 Liverpool Mercury – The Olympic Festival and the Ladies of Liverpool
The approaching Olympic Festival of the Athletics Society of Great Britain appears to have aroused quite an unusual amount of interest among the inhabitants of Liverpool generally. Former ones have no doubt achieved a success which amply proves the great and increasing attraction of such gatherings; but the next, being the sixth annual festival, is to have a special and peculiar feature, which bids fair to give it quite an exceptional character. Hitherto, the gentlemen have entirely monopolised the affair, but this time the ladies are to give a proof of their faith in the good results of physical education.

By giving to the various classes of competitors all the medals, the cost of which has been collected amongst themselves. Nothing could be better calculated to give a tone of refinement and elevation to a festival of this description than for the ladies, "whose bright eyes rain influence and award the prize," to take their are proper position as patronesses of the occasion. Nor is there the slightest reason to fear that any gathering - for the good ordering of which Mr Hulley is responsible - will be marked by a single incident that the most fastidious could object to. The numerous contests will be open to amateurs only, Mr Hulley having taken the most stringent precautions that not only the "professional" but the "semi--professional" element will be strictly excluded, and it is among these classes that disputes and disturbances most frequently arise. Field.

1867 Jun 10 Liverpool Mercury – The Olympic Festival
One of the most promising signs of these times is the constantly increasing amount of attention devoted to the cultivation of the bodily powers. With our young men than this "physical education," as it is very appropriately called, finds an enthusiastic acceptance, and the undoubted importance of the subject make this a very gratifying circumstance. The advantages of a systematic muscular cultivation are so obvious, and like so much upon the surface, that their widely-spread recognition does not require any very elaborate explanation. Nevertheless, it is too frequently the case that causes in themselves excellent fail through weak or mistaken advocacy, and the valuable results they might have produced can only be reckoned among losses of the community.

Thanks, however, to Mr Hulley, the fate of the physical education theory has been much more fortunate; and the effects of its working are not only palpably and appreciably important in the immediate present, but promises still greater things for the future. For this condition of affairs, says a friend, we have to thank Mr Hulley, and it is only the simplest justice that the fact should not have lost sight of in estimating our gains. That the gains in question are something to be heartily thankful for, no one can for a moment doubt who has visited the splendid establishment in Myrtle-street. If the spectator has witnessed the exercises of the classes he will be still more ready to admit the claims of Mr Hulley to the gratitude of the community; for what could be more inspiriting than the spectacle of so many young Englishmen in the full enjoyment of nature's best gifts - health and vigour?

But in the admiration of Mr Hulley's good work, we must not forget our object, which is to direct the attention of readers to the forthcoming display of some of the results of his labour. The sixth annual olympic festival is fixed for the 28th and 29th of this month, and the gymnasiarch, ably seconded by his lieutenants, Messrs J.B. Lee and W. D. Hogarth, is pushing forward the preparations with his accustomed vigour. That the scene will be a brilliant one is certain enough as far as the exertions of these gentlemen can secure that result, and there is every reason to anticipate that the sixth olympic festival will distance all its predecessors. It will, as we said before, occupy two days on this occasion - an arrangement, which is likely to find great favour with the gentlemen who enter for the contests.

The division of the programme in this way has two immense advantages. In the first place, by conducting the gymnastic contests in the gymnasium on the evening of the 28th, it enables the competitors to work under the most favourable circumstances. In the second place, it enables the gymnasiarch to issue a programme, which is unique in its comprehensiveness. The ladies of Liverpool give the prizes, so there is sure to be a fascinating assembly of the fair sex to give tone and refinement to the meeting.

1867 Jun 24 Liverpool Mercury – Advertisements