St Helen’s ArchivePreserving the past for the future
Item
OT175
Object ID
OT175
Type
Rights Holder
Swansea RFC Memorabilia Community Interest Company
Provenance
John Davies
Season
Description
A wooden supporters' rattle, or 'clacker', dating from the early 1960s. Handle and frame are all painted with messages of support for Wales and Swansea. "Cymru am byth" ("Wales forever") appears on one side. The 'cogs' of the instrument are alternately marked "W" or "NZ". Used at Wales v New Zealand rugby international 1963.
Info
This rattle or 'clacker' as it was often referred to, was used at the Wales versus New Zealand rugby international at Cardiff Arms Park on 21st December 1963, won by Wilson Whineray's All Blacks by 6 - 0. Swansea's Dewi Bebb played on the wing for Wales.
The clacker was carried by a young Geoff Davies, brother to Swansea RFC centre (1964-75) John Davies. It was painted up to mark the occasion, with red "Wales" and "Cymru am byth" messages as well as black "NZ", "Swansea" and "All Whites" messages.
The clacker still works today. Rattles or 'clackers' were popular at soccer, rugby and other sporting events between the Victorian era and up to the 1970s. Different versions were produced, but all making the familiar percussive, 'clacking' noise required by supporters to cheer their team. Typically, a wooden panel brushed against wooden 'cogs' as it was rotated by the user holding the handle. This example with two panels, is a typical design. Examples exist back to the 1890s and probably well before.
The clackers became increasingly popular after World War Two, creating a noisy atmosphere at any event. They were gradually banned at grounds during the 1970s as concerns over the soccer crowd violence of that period increased, the clackers there sometimes being used as weapons. The effect of hundreds or thousands of supporters waving clackers, if not recalled can easily be imagined, creating an urgency and atmosphere around the ground. This clacker was kindly donated by John Davies to the collection.
The clacker was carried by a young Geoff Davies, brother to Swansea RFC centre (1964-75) John Davies. It was painted up to mark the occasion, with red "Wales" and "Cymru am byth" messages as well as black "NZ", "Swansea" and "All Whites" messages.
The clacker still works today. Rattles or 'clackers' were popular at soccer, rugby and other sporting events between the Victorian era and up to the 1970s. Different versions were produced, but all making the familiar percussive, 'clacking' noise required by supporters to cheer their team. Typically, a wooden panel brushed against wooden 'cogs' as it was rotated by the user holding the handle. This example with two panels, is a typical design. Examples exist back to the 1890s and probably well before.
The clackers became increasingly popular after World War Two, creating a noisy atmosphere at any event. They were gradually banned at grounds during the 1970s as concerns over the soccer crowd violence of that period increased, the clackers there sometimes being used as weapons. The effect of hundreds or thousands of supporters waving clackers, if not recalled can easily be imagined, creating an urgency and atmosphere around the ground. This clacker was kindly donated by John Davies to the collection.
Keywords
supporters, clacker, rattle, 1963-1964, all blacks, new zealand, tour matches,
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