Fen Skating: A History of Fen Skating and how the National Skating Assocation (NSA) Was Formed

Organised ice skating in Britain started in the Fens, more specifically here in Welney. In Victorian times fen skating was not just a favourite winter leisure activity, it was also a huge spectator sport. In 1870 when the Fen Skating Championship of England was held, a crowd of 6,000 watched Wiles of Welney beat Porter of Southery.

The first of the great Welney fen skating champs is said to be Turkey Smart. His real first name was William, but he got his nickname from his style of fen skating. Turkey was the first man to adopt the position that all speed skaters use today - bent over forwards to lower wind resistance; arms flapping behind him like wings. When he started winning all the fen skating races his style was copied by the other skaters.

From his first championship fen skating title in 1854 until late in the 1860s, Turkey's domination over speed skating was threatened by only one man, William See, and he too came from Welney (standing together on right, Turkey on the left). See's nickname was 'Gutta Percha' , from the tough rubber used to make boot soles and golf balls - 'Gutta Percha' See was as tough as old boots! Only after 15 years at the top did Turkey and Gutta Percha start to be defeated by younger fen skating champions from elsewhere.

But Welney wasn't out of the limelight for long, thanks to the next generation of the Smarts and the Sees. George Smart, eldest son of Turkey's cousin Charles, took the fen speed skating championship in 1878 and won nearly every fen skating race he entered for the decade. He was finally defeated by his younger brother James Smart. And almost the only fen skater who ever beat James was his cousin George See, son of old Gutta Percha.

During the 1890’s Welney was the hub of English skating. The village church at Welney shows that there were many national champions, one of whom, James Smart, was professional world champion in 1895. This period was the Zenith of outdoor ice skating and from this Fen Skating enthusiasm for the sport the National Skating Association (NSA) - now known as the National Ice Skating Association (NISA) - was formed in Cambridge in 1879.

Welney has a dedicated Fen Skating Pub, The Lamb and Flag Inn where you can find photographs of past and present speed fen skating champions from the area. If it was not for the Fen Skaters of Welney and neighbouring villages the NSA may have never been formed.