Sumptuous hotel feast held to celebrate first race at Ely course
THE Cardiff and Merthyr Guardian, dated September 27, 1856, reported on a sumptuous feast, the Stewards’ Ordinary, under the heading “Cardiff Races, 1856”.
It informed its readers: “This dinner was held at the Cardiff Arms Hotel, and was in every respect worthy of that most excellent and well-conducted establishment.
“Mr Woods placed on the table a most liberal spread consisting of every delicacy in season, and nothing was spared to gratify even the most fastidious.
“Set before these worthy gentlemen of the turf were silver plates of venison, grouse, game and even grapes from the hot houses of RF Jenner Esq, of Wenvoe Castle.”
We learn that: “An elegant dessert followed and the wines were of the finest vintage.
“Almost 100 gentlemen sat down for the meal and the notables included Robert Francis Jenner, who supplied the grapes, Wyndham William Lewis, of the Heath and Captain Godfrey Morgan, of Balaclava fame, and the Hon Robert Windsor Clive, MP of St Fagans, signified their attention of accepting the office of steward for the ensuing year, they were greeted with renewed applause which continued for several minutes.
“Toasts were made to the Queen, Prince Albert and the rest of the Royal family, drunk and duly honoured with expressions of the utmost loyalty.
“And when FX Gwynne Esq proposed a toast to the health of the stewards it was received ‘with the most deafening cheers and drunk upstanding with three times three’.”
More toasts are said to have followed, songs were sung and the festivities of the evening were kept up with
most spirit till after 11 o’clock.
The horse race meeting referred to was probably the first one that had taken place at Cardiff‘s Ely Racecourse on May 30, 1855.
It should be noted that at a council meeting held on September 20, 1825, it was resolved “that it being expedient to promote the interest of this town by furthering the subscription to the racing fund; resolved that next year the sum of £20 be allowed toward a plate of £50 to be called the town plate”.
However, this was in respect of the races staged at Heath Farm.
As for the Cardiff Arms Hotel, which stood near the site of the famed rugby football ground of that name, it stood on the area of land that is now occupied by the Angel Hotel.
One of its features was a weeping ash tree on its lawn. And under its shade patrons would dine or drink as they awaited the Milford coach.
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