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.
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