Mad Jack Churchill

Amongst the people who we are currently developing performances about is Colonel John Malcolm Thorpe Churchill - nicknamed "Mad Jack" or "Fighting Jack" Churchill. He surfed the Severn in 1955 but had a war record second to none - leading his troops into battle playing the bagpipes or carrying his claybeg sword. He was also a champion archer and is alledgedly the last person to kill their enemies in wartime using a longbow.
When you hear about people like him you realise that they know no fear. That they have complete courage in everything that they do and they are lessons to be learnt from them.
Researching Mad Jack's surfing exploits has revealed some interesting information which surfers probably know but the rest of us don't. He surfed the Severn Bore on a 16 foot long surf board, which he towed to the river behind his Vincent motorcycle and - you would expect there to be crowds and hordes of people there - he was seen only by a local farmer and his son and a couple of other locals who told him not to try it! Amazing for such a feat of endeavour. We are developing a one hour show about him and this is on offer to venues in Gloucestershire and beyond if people would like it.

The Fearless Navigator

The Fearless Navigator is a new one hour performance which tells the remarkable story of Howard Blackburn who sailed across the Atlantic in 1899 from Gloucester, Massachusetts to Gloucester, England. He sailed solo and achieved this feat despite having lost his fingers and some of his toes through frostbite 15 years before.
We have trialled two performances of the one hour script and met with high praise from audiences who are enthralled by the remarkable story.
We are now looking for bookings for the show and are offering it to village halls, sports clubs, pubs and other venues.
Blackburn's is an uplifting story, a story of bravery and courage over adversity and appeals to audiences over 8 years old. If you want to know more or book a performance then please get in touch.

Forgotten Sporting Heroes receive funding from Arts Council

Spaniel in the Works, has received a grant for £9,700 for their new project Forgotten Sporting Heroes of Gloucestershire. The project, which is in partnership with Gloucestershire Archives and the Museum in the Park, Stroud, will involve performances looking at historical sporting heroes who have a connection with Gloucestershire.

It is great to receive funding from the Arts Council for this project. We have identified four heroes each with remarkable stories, some who have overcome adversity to achieve their sporting goal, and this funding will enable us to take performances to schools, village halls, museums, pubs, sports clubs and other venues.

The heroes identified so far are:

Howard Blackburn, who, in 1899, sailed across the Atlantic despite having lost his fingers through frostbite

"Mad Jack" Churchill, champion archer, soldier and bagpipe player who was the first man to surf the Severn Bore.

Sydney Smith, Stroud born tennis player who became Wimbledon doubles champion in 1902 despite having had polio.

Bill Hayward, rider of the Baughan motorcycle and side car in the 1920's and 30's which won so many championships that the authorities tried to ban them.

Project funding will enable Gloucestershire Archives to provide vital support in research and to create an interactive workshop focusing on the Dover Olimpicks, which will be available in schools, libraries and museums.

Children will see a performance looking at the four heroes and then take part in short sporting events.These include a mini version of cheese rolling, wool sack racing and Gloucestershire's own version of tossing the caber – spurning the barre.

Performances will be available from April 2011 and although the funding is only to cover the project for one year, they will also be available in 2012 in time for the London Olympics.