Wakefield Museums and Castles

(Article originally published 17 September 2024)

The Reight Neet Aht was a unique charity gala. It had a distinctly Yorkshire flavour and put Castleford on a global stage.

The event ran from 1936 to 1957. This star-studded annual marbles contest attracted stage, screen and sporting stars.

Read on to discover how A Reight Neet Aht brought glitz and glamour to Cas.

Explore each event in more detail with our interactive timeline!

Participants in the first All-Ladies Reight Neet Aht in 1955. Image courtesy of the Wakefield Council Libraries Photographic Collection

Knuckling off

Local journalist Sid Colclough started the Reight Neet Aht in 1936.

Sid wrote a regular column inspired by the grumblings of a group of former miners known as the ‘Fed Ups’. One of the group joked about challenging councillors to a marbles match. So, Sid made it happen!

He turned it into a charity fundraiser. Sid added other games and entertainment for a full night out.

Souvenir ribbon from the first Reight Neet Aht in 1936

He held the event at the Cooperative Ballroom in Castleford. Guests were invited to come in their “glad-rags”. They were treated to a packed programme. The marble contest “knuckled off” at 7:30pm. 

There were also contests in shuttlecock, skipping and whip and top, plus hours of dancing. 

Guests bought slices of a giant pie for supper. There were also clay pipes for the gentlemen.

Marble used by 90-year-old William Furniss in the first Reight Neet Aht in 1936. William won the 1937 tournament.

Patrons and prizes

Over the years, Reight Neet Aht supported a number of local charities and good causes. Sid set himself a fundraising target of £50 for the first ever Neet Aht. The proceeds went to Leeds Infirmary.

Reight Neet Aht raised money through ticket sales and selling refreshments on the night. It often took place on Shrove Tuesday. Organisers prepared piles of pancakes! 

Local companies and celebrity patrons also helped the fundraising. They donated trophies, souvenirs and prizes for auction. 

Bagley's Glass in Knottingley made a special marble for the first competition in 1936:

Bagley's Glass special marble for the first Reight Neet Aht

Bagley's also supplied the trophy for the final event in 1957:

The trophy for the 1957 Reight Neet Aht, also made by Bagley's Glass

Singer, actor and comedian Gracie Fields was a huge star in the 1930s. She never made it to Castleford but she was a key supporter of Reight Neet Aht. Gracie put her name to the prizes and donated memorabilia. 

A special commemorative marble decorated with the signature of Reight Neet Aht's celebrity patron Gracie Fields

Star signings

Sid Colclough was the driving force behind the success of Reight Neet Aht. He had a flair for publicity. He turned the event into a national occasion. 

Famous cameos added glitz and glamour. Newspapers, radio and even cinema newsreels reported from Castleford. 

George Formby and his wife Beryl were the special guests at the 1940 Reight Neet Aht. This was the only wartime edition of the event. Image courtesy of the Wakefield Council Libraries Photographic Collection

Star entertainer George Formby came to the 1940 Reight Neet Aht with his wife Beryl. The couple had met in Castleford. 

The George Formby Society have kindly lent this signed banjolele to Castleford Museum. It is on display during 2025:

A banjolele signed by George Formby, on display at Castleford Museum in 2025

George Formby also signed Reight Neet Aht’s special visitor book along with other famous faces. This page is signed by lots of people from the world press. The guest book is kindly lent by Wakefield Council Libraries.

A page in the Reight Neet Aht guestbook signed by members of the world press.

Twists and turns

Sid kept interest high by adding a new twist to each year’s event. 

When the Reight Neet Aht restarted after the Second World War, each year had its own theme. 

One year was America vs Yorkshire with the U.S. Army playing in the marbles matches. Another year was an All-Ladies contest.

Advertising poster for the 1955 All-Ladies Reight Neet Aht event. Image courtesy of the Wakefield Council Libraries Photographic Collection.

Here, the 1956 zebra-striped Reight Neet Aht event is captured on canvas by H.J.S. Henson.

The glamorous socialite Lady Docker is once again the star guest. She is pictured in the centre, in a white dress:

H.J.S. Henson's painting of the 1956 A Reight Neet Aht. Image courtesy of the Wakefield Council Libraries Photographic Collection.

Castleford on the map

The last Reight Neet Aht took place in 1957. Sid invited a team of international students from Leeds University to play in the tournament as Yorkshire took on the world. 

It was a fitting final outing. For 20 years, Reight Neet Aht had put Castleford on the global map.

University of Leeds students played on special marble boards decorated with world maps at the 1957 Reight Neet Aht. Image courtesy of the Wakefield Council Libraries Photographic Collection.

Display at Castleford Museum

Nearly 70 years after the last Neet Aht, we're proud to celebrate this surprising local claim to fame. 

Visit Castleford Museum to uncover more of this fascinating, unexpected tale (until end 2025). 

You can even revive the spirit of the Reight Neet Aht with your own game of marbles. 

And we’d love you to leave us a message in our special replica guest book!

The Reight Neet Aht interactive display at Castleford Museum