A talk by Dr Catherine Budd, Kent Archives and Local History Service.

Through an examination of local newspapers and archival documents held at Kent Archives, this talk will explore the sports of rowing, cycling and swimming, and the development of clubs across urban Kent. The talk considers the debates around amateurs, professionals and money, as well as issues of competition, class, the participation of women, health, commercialisation, modernity, and civic pride. The development of the three sports will be placed within the wider context of socio-economic change and will demonstrate the proliferation of a wide variety of clubs and the popularity of sport for both participants and spectators.

Dr Catherine Budd is one of the Archive Services Officers at the Kent History and Library Centre. She holds a PhD in the history of sport and previously worked as a lecturer, teaching modern British and European history.

For further information and to reserve a seat, ring 03000 420673 or email archives@kent.gov.uk