• Contact us
  • About us
  • Digital edition
  • Online archive
Sunday, June 22, 2025
Cumberland and Westmorland Herald
  • News
    Is outsourcing a strategic opportunity amid rising employment costs?

    Is outsourcing a strategic opportunity amid rising employment costs?

    Farms focus on cashflow following SFI scheme closure

    Farms focus on cashflow following SFI scheme closure

    MP asks for Government help over plans to replace M6 bridges

    MP asks for Government help over plans to replace M6 bridges

    Resurfacing work to start in Shap – road to be closed for 21 days

    Resurfacing work to start in Shap – road to be closed for 21 days

    Arrests after drugs raid in Penrith

    Arrests after drugs raid in Penrith

    New Kirkby Stephen shop blends retail with purpose

    New Kirkby Stephen shop blends retail with purpose

    New vicar appointed for churches

    New vicar appointed for churches

    Award for Eden writer

    Award for Eden writer

    Penrith man admits possessing cannabis twice with intent to supply

    Penrith man admits possessing cannabis twice with intent to supply

  • Sport
    Medal success for Upper Eden tug-of-war team

    Medal success for Upper Eden tug-of-war team

    Eden man competes in Hyrox World Games

    Eden man competes in Hyrox World Games

    Double national triumph for Stuart Robinson

    Double national triumph for Stuart Robinson

    Patterdale’s Eden Eagles make history

    Patterdale’s Eden Eagles make history

    Penrith teen crowned British vault champion

    Penrith teen crowned British vault champion

    Penrith gymnasts represent North of England in finals

    Penrith gymnasts represent North of England in finals

    New boss revealed for Penrith AFC

    New boss revealed for Penrith AFC

    Penrith Panthers celebrate winning season

    Penrith Panthers celebrate winning season

    Darren Edmondson leaves Penrith AFC

    Darren Edmondson leaves Penrith AFC

  • Obituaries
  • Nostalgia
  • Online archive
  • Buy Photos
  • Buy your paper
  • North Lakes Living
No Result
View All Result
Cumberland and Westmorland Herald
  • News
    Is outsourcing a strategic opportunity amid rising employment costs?

    Is outsourcing a strategic opportunity amid rising employment costs?

    Farms focus on cashflow following SFI scheme closure

    Farms focus on cashflow following SFI scheme closure

    MP asks for Government help over plans to replace M6 bridges

    MP asks for Government help over plans to replace M6 bridges

    Resurfacing work to start in Shap – road to be closed for 21 days

    Resurfacing work to start in Shap – road to be closed for 21 days

    Arrests after drugs raid in Penrith

    Arrests after drugs raid in Penrith

    New Kirkby Stephen shop blends retail with purpose

    New Kirkby Stephen shop blends retail with purpose

    New vicar appointed for churches

    New vicar appointed for churches

    Award for Eden writer

    Award for Eden writer

    Penrith man admits possessing cannabis twice with intent to supply

    Penrith man admits possessing cannabis twice with intent to supply

  • Sport
    Medal success for Upper Eden tug-of-war team

    Medal success for Upper Eden tug-of-war team

    Eden man competes in Hyrox World Games

    Eden man competes in Hyrox World Games

    Double national triumph for Stuart Robinson

    Double national triumph for Stuart Robinson

    Patterdale’s Eden Eagles make history

    Patterdale’s Eden Eagles make history

    Penrith teen crowned British vault champion

    Penrith teen crowned British vault champion

    Penrith gymnasts represent North of England in finals

    Penrith gymnasts represent North of England in finals

    New boss revealed for Penrith AFC

    New boss revealed for Penrith AFC

    Penrith Panthers celebrate winning season

    Penrith Panthers celebrate winning season

    Darren Edmondson leaves Penrith AFC

    Darren Edmondson leaves Penrith AFC

  • Obituaries
  • Nostalgia
  • Online archive
  • Buy Photos
  • Buy your paper
  • North Lakes Living
No Result
View All Result
Cumberland and Westmorland Herald
No Result
View All Result
Home Obituaries

John Bland was one of best wrestlers since the war

by CWH
29 January 2024
in Latest, Obituaries, Sport
A A
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
John Bland – double champion in 1960 with the 10.5st and 11st trophies.

It is with great sadness that we report on the passing of John Bland on Wednesday December 27.

Friend and wrestling contender John Richardson said: “I knew John for almost 73 years through the Kendal wrestling academy. In the early years John developed into what many veterans considered to be, one of the best wrestlers since the 1940s.

“I know from personal experience that John was the best all round wrestler since the Second World War. I found John not only a champion wrestler but a ‘champion’ friend and in all 73 years, I do not remember having a wrong word with him. He was an example to his family and to us all.

“John will not only be remembered for his wrestling success but also for losing his hired kilt at the 1956 Braemar Highland Games in front of the Queen who was caught on camera, laughing her head off. The photograph appeared on the front page of some daily newspapers.

“This was back in the dark ages before TV. The weekly news was shown on Pathe news before the main film at the Palladium in Kendal. We were all there to see it and get a good laugh – John, where’s your troosers?”

President of the Cumberland & Westmorland Wrestling Association, Chris Bland, brother to John, reports: “In 1951, our father started taking the older boys of the family to Kendal Cumberland & Westmorland (C&W) Wrestling Academy where they met John Richardson, Peter and Tony Hayhurst and the Bowness brothers amongst many others.

“I need to say at this point that the Bland- Hayhurst family friendship goes back over two generations, starting with our father and Peter’s dad and uncles – all brought together by Cumberland and Westmorland wrestling.

“To go to John’s wrestling career; in 1955 he won Grasmere 12st at 18 years of age. In the years 1957 and 1962 he won the 11st. For John’s early Grasmere wins, I was too young to appreciate them but he was back to win again in 1968 with the 13st.

“Grasmere Sports’ 1968 12st event saw John reach the final and take runner-up to Alan Davidson. Moving on, in the 13st class they both met again in the final.

“Alan was taller and younger than John and in my opinion was the very best of that era. In this second final, I am sure that John had got his thoughts together along with a bit more determination and the result was reversed. It was a tremendous performance against an extremely good wrestler, bearing in mind John was 31 and past his best, but the skill was still there.

“In terms of championships, John won the 11st at Kendal Gala in 1956 and again at Barbon in 1960. He became a double champion – also winning the 10.5st in 1960.

“I always felt that John was one of the very best wrestlers to watch, the action started fast and was usually all over very quickly. The only wrestlers I can remember who were in the same league for providing really good entertainment were Raymond and Eddie Wharton at their peak.”

A newspaper cutting from 1954 tells of John Bland’s exceptional performance at only 17 years of age when competing in an Academy Competition.

His outstanding performance enabled Kendal to win their away match with Gilsland by 34 falls to 20. John’s feat of winning nine falls – three in each section – had not been equalled as far as records showed.

On John’s first championship win, Peter Hayhurst recalls: “The first person to congratulate him was my Aunty Lily who ran out into the ring and gave John a big hug.

“She said she had to be the first to congratulate him because she was the first to bathe him when he was born. It was all part of the Bland-Hayhurst family friendship.”

Peter fully supported John Richardson’s views about John Bland as a wrestler and is convinced that he could have won a lot more. 

Peter said that he was extremely fast and when he was in the “right frame of mind” no one else really stood a chance in his weight range. 

To emphasise his speed, Peter tells a story that at one venue, he and John met in a final on a very wet day. John won with two straight falls.

Peter had been complaining about the weather all day and did again after the final, to which Bob McGregor replied: “Thoo wasn’t oot theer lang enough to git wet.”

Tags: premium

Related Posts

MP asks for Government help over plans to replace M6 bridges
Latest

MP asks for Government help over plans to replace M6 bridges

20 June 2025
Resurfacing work to start in Shap – road to be closed for 21 days
Latest

Resurfacing work to start in Shap – road to be closed for 21 days

20 June 2025
Arrests after drugs raid in Penrith
Latest

Arrests after drugs raid in Penrith

20 June 2025
Medal success for Upper Eden tug-of-war team
Sport

Medal success for Upper Eden tug-of-war team

20 June 2025
Eden man competes in Hyrox World Games
Sport

Eden man competes in Hyrox World Games

20 June 2025
Pub landlord must remove Covid canopy
Latest

Pub landlord must remove Covid canopy

13 June 2025
No Result
View All Result

Stay connected

Facebook Twitter Instagram

Most popular

New Kirkby Stephen shop blends retail with purpose

New Kirkby Stephen shop blends retail with purpose

20 June 2025
Award for Eden writer

Award for Eden writer

20 June 2025
Arrests after drugs raid in Penrith

Arrests after drugs raid in Penrith

20 June 2025
Medal success for Upper Eden tug-of-war team

Medal success for Upper Eden tug-of-war team

20 June 2025
Resurfacing work to start in Shap – road to be closed for 21 days

Resurfacing work to start in Shap – road to be closed for 21 days

20 June 2025
Penrith man admits possessing cannabis twice with intent to supply

Penrith man admits possessing cannabis twice with intent to supply

20 June 2025
Cumberland and Westmorland Herald Logo

33 Middlegate
Penrith
Cumbria
CA11 7SY

Phone: 01768 862313
Email: news@cwherald.com

Registered in England as Barrnon Media Limited. No: 12475190
VAT registration number: 343486488

Explore

  • News
  • Sport
  • Farming
  • Property
  • Obituaries
  • Nostalgia
  • Your view

Useful links

  • Contact us
  • Photosales
  • Online archive
  • Buy your paper
  • Digital edition
  • North Lakes Living
  • Advertise
  • About us

Follow us on

© Barrnon Media Limited 2025

Terms & Conditions / Privacy Policy / Cookie Policy

This website and its associated newspaper are members of the Independent Press Standards Organisation
Review Your Cart
0
Discount
Add Coupon Code
Subtotal
Total Installment Payments
Bundle Discount
Checkout

 
0
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Sport
  • Obituaries
  • Nostalgia
  • Online archive
  • more
    • North Lakes Living
    • Buy Photos
    • Buy your paper
    • About us
    • Contact us

© 2020 Cumberland & Westmorland Herald