History of Kilburn and West Hampstead

I had never heard of the pig singing competition until I found this amusing story.  In July 1896 Mr CF Rowley of Lillie Road Fulham appeared at the Harlesden Police Court. He had been summoned by Sir Richard Nicholson, the clerk to the Middlesex County Council (MCC). Rowley who said he was an auctioneer, was charged with having set up a marquee tent at Tooley’s cricket field in the Harrow Road at Willesden, without obtaining a 5-shilling music licence. He was a ‘cheap jack’ who travelled around holding auctions six nights a week. The large canvas tent could hold between 1,500 to 2,000 people and was lit by gas which ran up the central poles. At one end was a caravan which was made into a platform for the auctions and entertainment. To attract people who were charged 3d admission, Rowley advertised a Grand Baby show where the prize was a ‘silver-plated tea and coffee set for the mother of the finest baby under 12 months old.’ Men could enter the comic pig singing competition. They h...