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
Worshipful Company of Fruiterers
1292 - first reference to ‘Free Fruiterers’. First charter in 1606. Their shield shows Adam and Eve with that first piece of fruit.
5 memorials
Hillier Nurseries
A family owned company with a tradition in professional horticulture. The largest grower of trees (both field and container grown), in the UK and one of the largest in Europe.
1 memorial
Bank of England, Law Courts branch
This building is at 194 Fleet Street, between the Law Courts and Chancery Lane. From 1826 the Bank of England had branches around the country. The Law Courts branch was designed by Sir Arthur Blom...
1 memorial
Madame Tussaud
Born in Strasbourg as Marie Grosholtz. Her mother worked for Dr Curtius, a wax modeller, who taught his skills to Marie. In the French revolution made death masks of the executed nobles and royalty...
2 memorials
1 memorial
Comments are provided by Facebook, please ensure you are signed in here to see them