The Oval World: a global history of rugby

Polly writes:

Tony Collins           Photo by Richard Wilcocks

Prior to attending Tony Collins’ talk, loosely centred on his most recent book The Oval World: A Global History of Rugby, I undertook some personal research - albeit failed research - to understand the sport of rugby. An hour went by, and I was left with more questions than answers about many aspects of the game, yet upon attending the talk later that evening, it surprised me to learn that, to quote Collins, it is the inherent ‘messiness’ of the sport that makes it so compelling in comparison to more straightforward sports like football.

Issues such as the effect of apartheid laws in Africa and the subsequent exclusion of non-white players from the sport, the mythical figure of Tom Browne of the public school novel Tom Brown's School Days, the ban on ‘hacking’ (or the kicking of the opposite team’s shins) and the campaign for the legalization of professionalism, have all contributed to the mystique of rugby and have fuelled Collins’ extensive research into the history of the sport. His talk was illuminated both by extracts from his book, and by archival footage of games that had taken place in Leeds in the early twentieth century, and offered a detailed historical background on all of the aforementioned issues associated with the game.

The event was fascinating, even to someone such as myself, with no background information on the game whatsoever. For example, I was particularly surprised to learn that it had once been illegal to pay rugby players, having taken for granted that professional players of all sports had received remunerations for their services. It was also fascinating to learn about the changes to the sport over time, for example, the reduction from fifteen players to thirteen, as a means of reducing the congestion of players on the pitch, speeding up game play and generally making the sport more engaging to an audience.

Collins was a highly engaging speaker, and the turn out to the event was a testament to this fact. Despite the poor weather conditions and the difficult to fine location, (the event took place in the ‘Tryzone’, a learning centre within the Carnegie Stadium which offers a variety of educational services to the public), many local rugby fans made an appearance, all of whom matched Collins in their enthusiasm and interest in the sport. Gratitude for the success of the event should therefore, extend both to Tony Collins, and to the individuals who attended the event, for providing a highly engaging and educational evening.

Audience Comments

Completely fascinating history lesson about a sport I follow. I was particularly interested in the section on the All Blacks. The historic film clips were terrific.

Rugby league historical lecture brought from the book. Interesting film clips linking the union and league factions through the 1890’s to 1938. Political effects brought out.

Great event, very informative. Makes me want to learn more about the history of rugby and the social context of the history of the sport. Also made me want to buy Tony Collins’ book but I have too much to read at the moment :)

A very interesting subject, with some notable points raised and examples given, and an insight into the intrinsic link between sport and life.

Excellent to have such a knowledgeable speaker with sport as the topic - need more of this.

Very informative account of the history of rugby. Left me wanting/needing to read the book.

A very good look at the history of both rugby codes ... (illegible section).... I particularly liked watching the footage of the Rugby League matches.

A joy to be educated, informed and entertained

Excellent and interesting with many thought provoking issues

Informative, well delivered and researched. More please!

Pleased to listen about sport during a LitFest

An excellent very informative talk

Excellent, informative talk.

Most enjoyable and informative.

Poetry sharing at Quarry Mount Primary School

Sheila Chapman writes:

Boxes and fishes

Year five at Quarry Mount School treated us to an outpouring of poetry this Wednesday morning stimulated by a black wooden box with the image of a gold fish on the front.  James Nash (pictured with the box) had coached them to write their poems and to be brave enough to stand up in front of the audience of fellow pupils and parents to read them. They did him and us proud with the quality of the work they produced and the confidence with which they read. As one young member of the audience said, "Everybody did a good performance and I like it".

Some memorable lines were:

Memories ... cut back to you with a flick of the knife

I slid the lid and an Egyptian coffin opened

... smells like pencil sharpeners (the box)

The smell of salt, paint and pictures in your mind

Goldfish looks like a crystal

The young poets commented about the experience:

The children were asked what they had learnt and why it was good to share their work with others.

What they had learnt

That  poems don’t have to rhyme.

Confidence and poems.

Letting all your imoushions (sic) out in your reading.

To shout when we are reading.

That you do playground voice.

You can improve just by writing it down again.

I have learned you don’t have to be shy.

Why it is good to share

Because it makes you more confident.

So ... can build confidence and be proud of their work.

So people know how to write poems.

Because one day they might want to make a poem.

Audience Comments

All children really enjoyed the workshops and produced fantastic work. The children’s performance showed a fantastic improvement in their confidence. (class teacher)

The children have really enjoyed the sessions, and got so much out of them especially the ones that are shy.

It was a beautiful event. My daughter loved taking part. I hope she will have more opportunities like this.

I was very impressed with the beautiful poetry written, the words they used, and the confidence they showed while reading it. Well done!

Really enjoyed the wonderful morning.

Coolest morning.

Jauja - in partnership with Films at Heart

Georgia Davies writes:

In my experience, film screenings almost always bring out the unexpected. As I entered the Heart Centre’s main hall, tonight converted into a small cinema with its hanging lanterns and comfy seats, and as I was greeted by an array of smiling faces, I wasn’t really sure what I should expect from this partnership event with Films at Heart.

Doug Sandle on location at his house

As the audience took their seats, Doug Sandle introduced the three short films that would start the event. These were contributions from the Cinage European programme on film and active ageing. All explored the theme of the celebration of growing older and self-reflection on the experience. 

Swimming Pool was a beautiful account of an encounter between a retired teacher and former student in the local swimming pool. Trapped masterfully depicted the consequences of being locked out of the house, and the protagonist certainly had some creative solutions to the problems he faced. For me the most moving of the three was Know Thyself, a truly heart-warming and colourful short exploring saying goodbye and finding peace within oneself. As a twenty-something university student, it would be unfair to say that I am capable of fully understanding the experience of growing older, but nonetheless these films were of such a good standard and were truly moving.

Corto (Diego Roman) and Ingeborg (Viilbjørk Malling Agger) 

The main event was the award winning Jauja by Argentine director Lisandro Alonso. While a little slow paced at times, this was undoubtedly a beautifully crafted film, with stunning scenography shown in a vignette of rich colours and incredible Patagonian landscapes. The writing and soundtrack itself was as sparse as the plains that Captain Gunnar (performed by Viggo Mortensen) traverses on horseback throughout most of the film. 

The howling wind that permeated the whole room is what I took away with me as I returned home later that evening, and the challenge of unlocking the mysteries that Alonso subtly gestured to his audience. “What is it that makes a life function and move forward?” Gunnar could not answer that question, and I get the feeling it’ll be a long time before I can answer that one myself.

Audience Comments

Strange film. Wonderful sense of time and quite pictorial. Would like to see more Scandinavian films.

Interesting … intriguing … weird

Unusual film – beautifully filmed on location. Good soundtrack.

The short films were very good. The Danish film thought-provoking.

Weird film but enjoyable evening.

Three shorts which were good; main film very obscure

Good photography and music. Periods of tedium and a strange story.

Very intriguing film!

I will search for the meaning in my dreams!

Too deep for me!

Intriguing!

A bit strange

Dotted lines would be helpful. Thoroughly enjoyed the shorts, especially the swimming pool. The film was indeed very intriguing.

Intriguing film