175 Years of Durham University Rowing
Until Spring 2009
This exhibition highlights the inspiring story behind one of the most successful university boat clubs in Britain. Durham and its two rivers, the Wear and the Tyne, have been producing top class rowers for decades, including several who have gone on to represent Great Britain. Iconic figures such as Angus Macfarlane-Grieve and Eric Halladay feature, whist an array of objects and photographs from throughout DUBC’s long history are on display.
Two items are especially outstanding. The Durham Regatta Grand Challenge Cup of 1854 (on loan from Durham Regatta Committee) is an exquisite piece of silverware and work of art as well as being one of the most coveted rowing trophies in the North of England.
The large oil painting ‘Procession of Boats on the River Wear to Celebrate the Victory of Waterloo 1815’, by Edmund Hastings (on loan from University College Durham) has left Durham Castle for the first time in years. It gives a wonderful view of sixteen boats on the Wear below the town with a large crowd of spectators. This event gave rise to annual processions of decorated boats until formal boat races were added to traditional festivities in 1834. This was the year of the first Durham Regatta, which precedes Henley Royal Regatta by five years!