Archives help bring alive the history of racing in Doncaster

Archivist Dr Charles Kelham looks at a collection of 19th century race tickets from Doncaster Racecourse.

An exhibition of documents, maps and photographs to illustrate the history of racing in the town is being staged as part of the National Archive Week.

Archives and Local Studies staff are putting together story boxes containing interesting and historic images as well as other archival material linked to the horse racing theme.

The items will show the impact that racing – including the famous annual St Leger meeting – has had on the borough.

Doncaster Council’s cabinet member for culture, leisure and tourism, Coun Bob Johnson, said: “I hope people take advantage of these events which offer an insight into our town’s rich racing history and our fantastic archives and library service.”

As part of the events this week, local author Tony Barber will give a talk today on the history of the St Leger and his research carried out at Doncaster Archives and Local Studies Library.

The talk will be held from 10am at Doncaster Central Library, Waterdale, and tickets are priced at £3.

The Explore Your Archives campaign has been developed by the National Archives, supported by the Archives and Records Association.