(Above) Henley Railway Station Football Club (1911). Courtesy River and Rowing Museum
Exhibition: Our Sporting Life Henley, The River and Rowing Museum, Henley-on-Thames, until July 11 2010
The first of 100 exhibitions in the Our Sporting Life project, a travelling celebration of the nation's achievements in the run up to the 2012 London Olympics, has opened at the River and Rowing Museum in Henley-on-Thames with an array of gems from some of the most iconic moments in sporting history.
The series of showcases will look into hidden sporting histories, forgotten heroes, objects and stories in communities across the UK. Local people are being asked to submit objects and work with their local museums to create their own Our Sporting Life shows.
Olympic champion Sir Steve Redgrave at the Henley Royal Regatta (1995). © John Batty (johnbatty9@gmail.com)
The ball drop-kicked by Jonny Wilkinson to dramatically win the 2003 Rugby Union World Cup Final has been temporarily secured from the Rugby Museum in Twickenham, standing alongside more idiosyncratic memorabilia such as the kettle found in Everest explorer Sandy Irvine's tent after he disappeared at 23,500ft in 1924.
Objects from the 1908 London Olympic Games are also on show, starring the first ever football used at the Olympics in a competition won by Great Britain at the former White City Stadium in Shepherd's Bush.
A stopwatch and starting pistols from the tournament accompany the ancient ball.
Henley Cricket Club (1962). Courtesy River and Rowing Museum
"Our Sporting Life is an exciting example of the bond between sport, culture and people, an innovative and stimulating evocation of the Olympian ideal,” said Roy Clare, of co-organisers the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council.
The Henley opener has been created with the support of the British Olympic and Paralympic associations, who have both donated objects from their prestigious collections.
Henley Swimming Baths (circa 1930). Courtesy River and Rowing Museum
Double Paralympic Gold medal winner Graham Edmunds said the hoard had "the power to educate, inform and inspire".
"People are often astonished that a bit of kit or sporting device is far different than they assumed, and this brings them closer to sport, sparking new questions and inquiry," he observed.
Former England cricket Mark Ramprakash meets the Ashes urn
"Our Sporting Life will help people get closer to sport and share the memories and passion sport creates – from past glories to the new hopefuls.
"It's fantastic to see sports taster days being linked to it. Having seen the exhibition I hope as many people as possible will be encouraged to give a new sport a go."
International trial biker Nick Goddard launches the show in spectacular style. Courtesy River and Rowing Museum
Local highlights from the Henley exhibition include photographs of local hero Montague Spencer Ell, a champion croquet player who continued to win national championships despite losing his arms in the First World War.
He is credited with significantly advancing sport for disabled people and developing sports at Stoke Mandeville, winning a Gold Badge and Certificate of Life Membership from the British Legion.
Montague Spencer Ell (1891-1968) was a hero in Henley. Courtesy River and Rowing Museum
"Our Sporting Life Henley sets the template and will be developed by the hundred exhibitions to come around the country," said Museum Chief Executive Paul Mainds, who also chairs the exhibition steering committee.
"I believe that, with the support we now have from the MLA and from the other museums in the Sports Heritage Network, we can look forward to a fantastic series of exhibitions across the country during the next two years and a remarkable national Our Sporting Life exhibition in 2012."
To find out about future exhibitions or get involved and submit your own sporting memories visit Our Sporting Life online.
Open 10am-5.30pm. Admission £7.50/£5 (includes entry to Museum for a year). Call 01491 415600 or visit the Museum's website.
2010 is Year of the Museum in the South East, discover a museum at www.culture24.org.uk/southeast and find out about the Beautiful South at www.visitsoutheastengland.com.
