Sleaford Cricket Club athletic sports were first held on September 3rd 1874 and a one mile bicycle race was included. The sports became an annual affair and were considered to be one of the premier grass-track meetings in the East Midlands, frequently drawing over 4,000 spectators. In the 1870s, admission cost one shilling and there was a promenade concert after the sports which cost an extra six pence. These annual sports lasted for twenty years.
Sleaford Bicycle Club was formed in 1879 and they held monthly mid-week handicap races at the ground in 1880. Sleaford is only five miles from Heckington, where there a large grass track race meeting was held each year.
Sleaford Cycling Club formed in February 1884 at the Bristol Arms Hotel, Mr Sampson was elected as club captain. The club had an unsteady existence for the next forty years.**
At the Sleaford Cricket Club athletic sports on Tuesday July 15th 1884, there was a parade of bicycles and tricycles which went from the Bristol Arms to the cricket field and was led by the Lincolnshire Regiment Volunteer Band. The bicycle races were a two miles bicycle handicap, a two miles tricycle handicap and a one mile handicap for Sleaford CC members or locals. The bicycle races were held on a grass track which was just over four laps to the mile. Special trains from Lincoln, Newark and Nottingham. Prizes were "guaranteed by the committee to be of the value stated."
At the July 7th 1885 Cricket Club sports there was a Grand Balloon Ascent by Mr Alfred Orton of London, in his balloon ‘Volunteer'.## The sports continued and by 1892 the number of bicycle races had increased.
The Sleaford Horticultural Show moved from Westholme to the cricket ground, so that bicycle racing could be included in the sports. The second horticultural show was held on Thursday 21st July 1892 and there were 4,000 spectators and 300 entries for the sports, which included one and two miles bicycle handicap races and a one mile handicap for members of Sleaford CC. In the evening, there were further bicycle races.
By the end of the 1890s, Sleaford Cricket Club athletic sports had been discontinued. During the early 1900s, the Sleaford Athletic Sports became the main summer sporting event in the town. The 1904 sports were held on Thursday June 16th on the cricket ground, they were organised by the Cricket Club and the Oddfellows, there were four bicycle racing events.
Sleaford Town FC, who played on the cricket ground, started organising the summer sports meeting in 1909 to try and boost their club funds.
For the Coronation of George V, Sleaford held a gala and sports at the ground on June 22nd 1911. The celebrations included a free meat tea for all residents over 60 years old, a fancy dress parade, a tea for 1,600 children and athletic sports. The bicycle events included in the sports were a half mile scratch race and a one mile handicap. In the evening there was dancing to the Sleaford Excelsior Town Band, illuminations and a fireworks display. This was probably the last bicycle racing that was held at Sleaford cricket ground.
Sleaford cricket ground still exists and is the home of Sleaford Cricket Club, the ground is the fourth oldest First Class cricket ground in Britain.
^^ The Sleaford Athletic Committee held a sports meeting at Sleaford Grammar School (Carre's school) on June 18th 1931, there were half and one mile open handicap races and the Sleaford CC half mile club championship. Lincolnshire Police held their sports there in 1946 and 1947.
** Sleaford Cycling Club was formed in 1884 and after a period of inactivity, the club re-formed in May 1892. There was another period of inactivity and the club was again re-formed in May 1905. By 1929, Sleaford CC had disbanded.
## ‘Captain' Orton's ballon ascents were very popular. He took his assistant Mdlle Adelaide Bassett up in the balloon with him and they both jumped out. This is a press report of his performance in 1890. "Having ascended to a suitable altitude the first to let go was Mdlle Adelaide Bassett. The parachute opened immediately, and a most graceful descent was made. Capt. Orton entered upon his perilous journey a few seconds afterwards, and the daring couple alighted almost simultaneously.... What became of the balloon is not at present known"