Newspaper and magazine articles about John Hulley

1869 Jan 20 Liverpool Mercury – The Bicycle
We are requested by Mr Hulley to state, in answer to numerous enquiries at the Gymnasium, that the members of the Liverpool Athletic Club are in correspondence with several of the principal Velocipede makers in Paris, New York, and elsewhere, and that in the course of a week or two they hope to be able to state full particulars as to where the best machines may be procured on the most reasonable terms. In the meantime, illustrations as to the management of the bicycle will be given at the Gymnasium, every Monday, the evenings until further notice by Mr John Shepherd, instructor to the club.

1869 Jan 27 Liverpool Mercury – A Novel Tournament
We hear that a number of gentlemen, members of the Liverpool Velocipede Club, are making arrangements for a tournament on bicycles, to be held in the Gymnasium. The programme is to include tilting at the ring, throwing the javelin, broadsword contests, and engagements with lances. On Saturday evening, it is intended to illustrate the power of the bicycle over obstacles -- in other words, to ride a steeplechase.

1869 Apr 19 Liverpool Mercury – A Novel Form of Tournament
Professor Faraday, steaming up Hampstead-hill on a four-wheeled velocipede is now a familiar figure of history. Not to speak it disrespectfully, Faraday knew much more than a thing or two; but neither the circle of his knowledge than that of his speculation comprised the two-wheeled velocipede, now called the bicycle. Paris has been bicycle mad some time; London is getting into that condition of enthusiasm, which is not far from bicycle madness; and Liverpool is now heavily bitten with the bicycle mania. A machine that will enable a man to travel eight miles an hour instead of the regulation four, which can be got out of the animal known as "Shanks' pony," or the vehicle called familiarly the "marrowbone stage," is certainly regarded in the light of a boon. For some time past, Mr Hulley has, with the assistance of professors competent in the bicycle exercise, and aided and abetted by a certain velocipede club (Mr P. B. Drinkwater president, and Mr J. M. Caw secretary), been ministering his best to satisfy what is not correctly called a mania. The gymnasium affords splendid opportunities for the exercise in the inanimate horse named the bicycle, and accordingly the gymnasium is to be the arena next Saturday, for a velocipede tournament, in the course of which gentlemen mounted on bicycles will tilt at other gentlemen on bicycles, with long lances, from which must result in a considerable quantity of tumbling about of a laughable character. Tilting at the rink, throwing the javelin, and sundry matters of the same kind will be included in the programme. After the wind and limbs of the bicycle men are exhausted, the attention of the spectators will be engaged by the members at the Liverpool Fencing Club, under the direction of Mr Anderson, a master of arms. Their programme will comprise an assault-at-arms on foot, including fencing, broadsword exercise, sabre versus bayonet Cavalry sword practice. No doubt the occasion will be remembered as one of the most interesting in the annals of the gymnasium.

1869 Apr 24 Liverpool Mercury – The Bicycle Tournament Today
The much-talked-of tournament on bicycles will take place at the Gymnasium this afternoon, at three o'clock, and will be repeated in the evening. The latter announcement has been necessitated by the extraordinary demand for places at the afternoon tournament. It was found utterly impossible to accommodate the whole of the people who applied for tickets; and the committee of the club, anxious to meet this popular demand, resolved, at a special meeting held yesterday, that the proceedings of the afternoon should as far as possible be repeated in the evening. For this the public are much indebted to the President (Mr Drinkwater) and the secretary (Mr Caw.) The programme includes tilting at the ring on bicycles, throwing the javelin on bicycles, fencing, evolutions on bicycles, tilting on bicycles, boxing, broadsword attack on bicycles, fancy riding on bicycles, &c. The whole of the proceedings, afternoon and evening, will be under the superintendence of Mr Anderson, the master-at-arms. We believe the idea of this tournament, quite original in its way, belongs to the gymnasiarch Mr. Hulley.

1869 May 26 Liverpool Mercury – Bicycle Races at Hoylake
Account of races organised by a committee including John Hulley (the gymnasiarch) On the racecourse at Hoylake on Saturday 24th May.. About 1,000 persons were on the ground and they watched 3 races.

1870 Jan 8 Liverpool Mercury – Soiree Calisthenique at the Gymnasium
Report on the above event including: Dr. Manifold concluded by proposing a vote of thanks to the young ladies, who had gone through the exercises that evening, and also to Mr Hulley, the gymnasiarch, and to Mrs Batt, who superintended the ladies’ classes and had decorated the building. Mr. HULLEY briefly replied, as did also Mrs. Batt

1871 Oct 2 Liverpool Mercury - The Liverpool Gymnasium Inaugural Address
On Saturday night, Mr Philip Shrapnell, lessee of the Gymnasium in Myrtle-street, delivered his inaugural address to a large number of the members of the Gymnasium, and visitors, who thronged the galleries. Mr Shrapnell, it will be remembered, entered into possession of the Gymnasium some 12 months ago, not acting as his predecessor had done, as manager of a company, but becoming proprietor himself. (Incl.) I need not assure you that I have no desire to depreciate what has been already done, and done well, by my esteemed friend and predecessor, Mr Hulley, when I say that this institution, large as it is and great as its resources are, is far below the point of what ought to be required in such a place at Liverpool.

1871 Nov 7 Liverpool Mercury – Liverpool Gymnasium Co. Ltd.
The annual meeting of the shareholders of this company was held yesterday in the Common Hall, Hackins-hey, Mr C.P Melly in the chair. From the report of the directors, read by Mr T.W. Read, the secretary, it appeared that the financial year up to the 30th of September last had resulted in a loss of £239 1s 6d, which not only absorbed the reserve fund, but still left a balance due to the Treasurer of £47 19s 5d. The directors, considering it unadvisable to carry on the gymnasium themselves, had leased the premises to Mr Philip Shrapnell for three years, at an annual rental of £250 per annum, and that gentleman had conducted the institution entirely to the satisfaction of the company. The sum at which the gymnasium had been let was small, but the directors hoped that that in the renewal of the lease they would be such an increase in rent as would leave the company an annual surplus.

The adoption of a report was moved by the Chairman, who explained the precise position in which the company found itself placed, with regard to the leasing of the building, and expressed his conviction that the institution that would be carried on in a way creditable to the town, and ultimately beneficial to the shareholders.

Mr Ganson seconded the proposition for the adoption of the report, and enquired whether they would have room in the building from the class is to be greatly increased. Mr Hulley said there was ample room for a very much larger number.

The report and accounts were then adopted. Thanks were voted to the auditors and to the retiring directors, who were reappointed, and the proceedings concluded with thanks to the chairman.

1871 Nov 24 Liverpool Mercury - Assault-at-Arms at the Liverpool Gymnasium
Last evening, an assault at arms took place at the Liverpool Gymnasium, of which Mr Philip Shrapnell has recently become lessee. There was a large attendance of visitors, including a considerable number of ladies. Mr W. Rathbone, M.P., occupied the chair, and the company also comprised the Rev. C. Beard, Captain Haswell (of HMS Resistance), Lieutenant Byng, and Messrs. T. Haigh, Halsall, Segar, J. Hulley, &c.

1873 Feb 17 Liverpool Mercury - The Liverpool Gymnasium - Ladies Soiree.
A fete of considerable novelty and interest was held at this establishment last Friday evening at which, had been notwithstanding the restrictions as to admission as far as gentlemen were concerned, there was a crowded and brilliant assemblage of ladies. The occasion of this gathering was a "soiree calisthenique," as it was described on the programme, in which the lady members of the gymnasium were the performers; and the admissions, which were by invitation, which were strictly confined to the lady friends of the pupils and gentlemen who were of the medical profession.(Including) Dr. J. BIRKBECK NEVINS, who presided, addressed the assembly.

He expressed the pleasure he felt at witnessing a charming exercises they had just seen, and this pleasure had been increased, if that was possible, by seeing that the exertions formally made by Mr Hulley, whom he was glad to see present, and which met with so much success, had been so admirably kept up by his successor, Mr Shrapnell.

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