More and more things are being cancelled due to COVID-19 and lockdown restrictions, and even though we are seeing some of the restrictions being slowly lifted, it is upsetting to say that unfortunately The Boat Race 2021 will not be occurring in its usual format.
Between COVID-19 and the instability of Hammersmith Bridge, the organisers of The Boat Race have
decided that it would not be feasible to hold the event as tradition expects. Yes, you will be able to see the Oxford and Cambridge teams row on Sunday, but not in their usual territory.
The organisers have decided that instead of their usual path from Putney to Mortlake, it would be best to hold the event on The River Great Ouse in Ely, and are advising the public to watch the race on the BBC. South West London will be looking very different from their usual excitement!
During this time, it is important to think about moments in time and how we must seize opportunities. Who would have thought that so much would be cancelled? – and if we did know that lockdown was imminent, what would we have done differently?
Photographers like David Hicks are examples of people who can see the beauty in a moment. David Hicks likes to capture what is in front of him, perhaps one may see a scene as mundane, an everyday occurrence, David see’s joy, sadness or celebration: a moment worth capturing and remembering through a still image.
David’s photography of previous Boat Races are precious to us this year. Through his photography we are able to escape this year’s Boat Race misery and remember the times we had in the past – celebrations and tradition.
Tune in to BBC on Sunday 4th April at 15:00 to watch the 166th men’s race and the 75th women’s race. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00s4wb4
Written by Francesca Bass
skype – quitegr8