Utrick Ritson bought the colliery in 1881 and over the next 40 years invested as much in the village as he did in the mine. Utrick cared about the mining families. His fourth son Ralph Gerald Ritson was born in 1880. He became an english member of the Inniskilling Dragoons and champion polo player with a 10 goal handicap, captain of the British polo team in the 1913 International Polo Cup at the Meadowbrook Polo Club.
It is no surprise then for Burnhope to have its own polo field, probably from 1890 when Ralph was ten years old. It was on the flat land to the east of the mast behind the bus stop on Langley Lane. Durham County Council now owns the field. It is said the owners riding their thoroughbreds challenged miners riding pit ponies to a polo match!
On June 16th 1926 the Executive Committee of the Durham Miners’ Association sent a circular to all Durham Miners Lodges recommending the cancellation of the 1926 Durham Miners Gala. Most Durham Lodges had previously voted for A.J. Cook to speak at the Miners Gala in Durham on July 17th. To avoid losing this great opportunity to solidify the miners strike, Burnhope Lodge invited A.J. Cook to speak at Burnhope instead, he only confirmed on July 11th. Colonel C. W. Ritson granted permission for the gala to be held on the polo field and built a platform for the speakers.
The Stanley News reported “The main street was one solid mass of moving people, relieved only by banners, the uniform of bandsmen and the costume of impromptu jazz bands.” Jim Hobbs, secretary of Burnhope Miners Lodge reported more than 50 lodges attended. Joseph Snaith, the mine manager reported 40,000 people listened to A.J. Cook speak the immortal words “Not a penny off the pay, not a minute on the day.”