Artist Unveils Boat Race Trophies
The first Universities at Medway boat race is just a month away – and students are now ‘up for the cup’ thanks to the work of a renowned local artist. Chatham-based Paula Groves has created two eye-catching trophies for the inaugural race, which is taking place on Saturday 26 May.
Student rowers will be going head to head on the River Medway in a bid to write themselves into the history books as the first boat race champions.
Two races are planned for the day, with a men’s ‘eights’ contest between Greenwich and Kent universities followed by a women’s ‘fours’ race between Kent and Canterbury Christ Church. The students will tackle a three-mile course, starting in Halling and ending at Rochester Pier.
Ms Groves, who runs her business, sculptedmetal.com, from Chatham’s New Art Centre, came to prominence in Medway earlier this year for her clock and sculpture representing the countdown to the 2012 Olympics. The piece is based at the Visitor Information Centre in Rochester.
A regular exhibitor at the Chelsea Flower Show, her clients include writer and broadcaster Alan Titchmarsh, who has described her garden sculptures as ‘inspirational’. Ms Groves has also designed trophies for the Medway Business Awards.
Ms Groves said she was honoured to be chosen to create the boat race trophies, which she has fashioned from stainless steel. ‘It’s a lovely event which seems to have got the whole town talking,’ she said. ‘I’m thrilled at the thought of seeing the winning captains lift the trophies. I’ve used lots of rowing imagery, such as oars and the ripples of water, and tried to capture the spirit of the contest.’
The race has been organised by the Universities at Medway Students’ Association (UMSA), in partnership with Medway Council.
The men’s trophy has been sponsored by Canterbury-based law firm Furley Page Solicitors, while the Universities at Medway have sponsored the women’s trophy and the medals for winners and runners-up.
Sophie Bruschan, UMSA’s Student Activities Co-ordinator, said that the prospect of lifting a trophy gave the contest an even keener edge. ‘Our students have been training for some months and there is a growing sense of excitement about the race,’ she said.
‘The trophies are really stunning. They’re a wonderful way for us to commemorate this event and to start a proper boat race tradition in Medway.’
Medway Council’s chief executive Neil Davies said: ‘We are very much looking forward to the race and to seeing the trophies that Paula has created.
‘Medway has a rich heritage and a promising future. Working with our partners at the Universities at Medway on an event of this nature is a great way to showcase the area.’
After the race, the men’s and women’s trophies will be displayed in the Pilkington Building at the Medway campus.
Students are currently being trained by coaches at Medway Towns Rowing Club in Rochester.
The first race gets under way at approximately midday on Saturday 26 May, with the public welcome to attend. See also: 'Universities Lay Down Boat Race Challenge'
Caption: Artist Paula Groves with the Universities at Medway boat race trophy (men’s version).
ENDS
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University of Greenwich
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Nick Ellwoood
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University of Kent at Medway
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n.j.ellwood@kent.ac.uk