Leamington display focuses on sporting heritage

Going for Gold! will be opened by Warwick District Council chairman Cllr Michael Kinson and he will be accompanied by special guests including Olympic swimmer Helen Slatter, who represented Great Britain at three consecutive Olympic Games and recent torchbearer Peter Fraizer, who was the first person to run a marathon after having a kidney transplant.

The exhibition will run until Sunday October 7 and is being launched to mark this summer’s Olympic Games.

Vicki Slade, the gallery’s senior curatorial officer, said: “Leamington and the surrounding area have historically been at the forefront of sports development.

“It was the home of the first lawn tennis club in the world and many elite sports men and women have come from the district.

“Local people have generously loaned an array of sporting memorabilia to the exhibition, which explores the wide range of sports participation and achievement in the area.

“I hope that everybody will enjoy this unique show and perhaps will leave inspired to have a go themselves.”

The opening event will include demonstrations by Cleary’s Boxing Gym and Quarry Park Disc Golf Club.

Coventry-based theatre group Talking Birds will also stage a performance of As Near to Flying, a production based on by the long jump and part of the company’s Olympic Decathlon project. The event will run from 12.15pm to 2.30pm and admission is free.

Free Friday Focus Lunchtime talks will take place at the Gallery throughout the month.

Tania Kovats’ works from the Art Gallery & Museum’s collection will be highlighted by publicity officer, Tammy Woodrow, today (Friday).

Kovats explores in these pieces the metaphors of illness, specifically in relation to AIDS and cancer and the myths that surround these diseases.

On Friday July 20, Vicki will introduce the Going for Gold! exhibition.

Her talk will include a guided tour.

And on Friday July 27, Bill Adcocks, who held the record for the Classic Marathon to Athens course for 35 years, will talk about his career as an Olympic marathon runner.

The talks start at 1pm.

For more information call 742700 or visit www.warwickdc.gov.uk/royalpumprooms