Bella was married to boxer (and bank robber, see OldTimeMusicHall) Dick Burge. They took on the lease of the Surrey Chapel, an ex-chapel which had become a boxing ring in 1910. Renamed "The Ring" it became one of the first indoor venues for working class boxing. Bella and her female friends attended the boxing bouts, which was very unusual at that date. Dick died in 1919 and Bella carried on the Ring, expanding into all-in wrestling in 1932. Bombs in 1940 and 1941 destroyed the building and the site was redeveloped, most recently into the Palastra Building. This information all comes from the wonderful Nickel in the Machine, where you will find some fascinating pictures.
This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Bella Burge
Commemorated ati
Other Subjects
Dieter Bock
Hans-Dieter Bock, or Dieter Bock, was born on 3 March 1939 in Dessau, the capital of the Free State of Anhalt. (This later became the German Democratic Republic and is now Germany). Having fled wi...
4 memorials
1 memorial
Cornhill market
Cornhill was apparently the only market allowed to be held after noon in the 14th century. Stow reports Cornhill holding a corn-market (not surprisingly) but also old clothes being sold there.
1 memorial
Coutts & Co Bank
Founded by Scottish goldsmith, John Campbell, who set up shop at the sign of the Three Crowns on the Strand. In 1755 James Coutts married John Campbell’s granddaughter and the Bank became known as ...
1 memorial
Nicholson's pubs
The Nicholson's brothers opened their first pub in 1873.
1 memorial
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