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Manchester University's "Rag Week" Tradition: From Shenanigans to Fundraising for Charity
Manchester universities' annual "Rag Week" tradition evolved from student antics into organized fundraising events. Activities included street plays, races, and the Bogle Stroll, a long-distance walk.
The tradition of "Rag Week" events originated in the late 19th or early 20th century. The term "to rag" originally meant to pester. By the early to mid-20th century, Rag Week evolved into organized fundraising events. In Manchester, common sights and stunts during Rag Week included street plays and the five-legged race. A battle of the presidents saw the leaders of the UMIST and Owens unions pelt each other with canteen waste. There was also the once-popular Bogle Stroll, which was anything but an average sponsored walk.
Key Facts
- "Rag Week" refers to annual events where students raise money for charity.
- The tradition originated in the late 19th or early 20th Century.
- "To rag" meant to pester.
- Events evolved into organized fundraising by the early to mid-20th century.
- Manchester events included street plays and the five-legged race.
- Union presidents once battled using canteen waste.
- The Bogle Stroll was a long-distance walk.
- The Bogle Stroll supposedly began when UMIST lecturers claimed they saw a "Bogle" (a northern ghost or imp) on a walk from Lancaster to Manchester.
Primary Source
Research Sources
- Manchester Evening News — If you've ever been a student in Manchester, you might want to look away now