From the birthplace to the home of rugby

Call it fate or the gods of rugby looking down on me, maybe it was even a calling.

No sooner had plans been made and booked for my recent visit and guided tour of Rugby School, the birthplace of rugby football, and exploring the Webb Ellis Rugby Football Museum than I receive an invitation.  A special one too.

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Where it all started – exploring a scene of worldwide sporting significance 200 years on and all on my own doorstep

Whether you are a fan, player or follower of the sport, it cannot have escaped your attention that this year is something of a big year in the world of rugby. 

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Seann Walsh, Ken Bruce and The BBC Concert Orchestra among big names appearing at this year’s The Festival on The Close

We are now only a matter of weeks away from the return of The Festival on The Close in Rugby, Warwickshire, where big names at this year’s Festival include Seann Walsh, Horrible Histories Live, The BBC Concert Orchestra, Louise Dearman, Tom Seals and Ken Bruce.

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FREE OUTDOOR DANCE-CIRCUS SHOW BRINGS THE ARTS BACK TO RUGBY TOWN

World-class dance company Motionhouse is to perform its latest touring production ‘WILD’ in a free event brought to the town by Rugby School.

The first production of this thrilling outdoor dance-circus show since the start of the pandemic, WILD combines acrobatic movement at the top of a dramatic urban forest of high poles.

With the arts effectively shut down by Covid, resulting in the cancellation of The Festival on the Close public events and the town’s annual Festival of Culture for the second year running, Rugby School is keen to bring an element live performance back to the community this summer.

The School is working in partnership with Rugby Borough Council and Rugby First who are providing the space and the support to make the event possible on Thursday 1st July 2021.

WILD will be performed at an outside location in the town centre and is an ideal show for a large audience with three-sided viewing and much of the action taking place at height. All necessary COVID restrictions will be in place.

Rugby School’s Artistic Director, Macready Theatre & Festival on The Close, Tim Coker, said the shared experience of live events, music, theatre, dance and culture more widely has been missing from everyone’s lives for too long.

“In education, the absence of shared cultural experiences has created a gap that we know we need to work harder than ever now to plug.

“So we at Macready Theatre and The Festival on The Close – two of Rugby School’s community arts platforms – are committed to doing whatever we can to re-introduce these life-enhancing experiences not only for children, but for their parents and grandparents too – to remind us why these things are so crucial to society at large,” he added.

Louise Richards, Executive Director of Motionhouse, based in Leamington Spa, said that after more than a year with no performances due to Covid restrictions, they cannot wait to perform again.

“The fact this is happening for a local audience in Rugby, so close to our home town, makes it even more special. We hope audiences enjoy experiencing live performance after such an extended period without being able to do this,”.

A show suitable for the whole family, free tickets for WILD being performed on 1 July at 18.00 can be booked via the link HERE

Feature for World Rugby Museum

It is with some pleasure and privilege that I can reveal that my recent contribution for the World Rugby Museum is now live on their blog site. 

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Historic Coubertin manuscript donated to Olympic Museum in Lausanne

There has been an interesting follow-up to my recent article about the recent record sale of Pierre de Coubertin’s original Olympics manifesto.

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Rugby School, Rupees and the Calcutta Cup

 

Saturday sees the renewal of rugby hostilities between England and Scotland, but did you know the trophy that both sides also play for, the Calcutta Cup, has a strong connection with Rugby School and the birthplace of the sport?

 

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5 rugby places to visit in Rugby

 With the 2020 Six Nations Rugby Championship getting underway this weekend, it is only right being a travel writer from and based in Rugby that I highlight some of the visitor attractions in my hometown.

And if you are a supporter or follower of rugby or just have a general interest in the game, this will be of real interest.

So here it is, call it a mini-tour as it were – my guide to five rugby places to visit here in Rugby.

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Pierre de Coubertin’s original Olympics manifesto sold at auction for record sum

It was interesting to read that one of Rugby School’s most famous pupils is connected to a record breaking sale of sports memorabilia.

Continue reading “Pierre de Coubertin’s original Olympics manifesto sold at auction for record sum”