NEWS FEED
Borough of Poole Museum and Arts Service has acquired an important Poole yachting trophy in partnership with the Poole yachting community.
The Canford Cup was first awarded in the fledgling 1849 Poole Regatta by the then MP, Sir John Guest, of Canford Manor. It was won by the yacht the Gleam and then not awarded again for 167 years.
The silver Georgian cup, embossed and engraved with a beautiful yacht racing scene when it was converted into a yachting trophy, has been bought at auction in London by Poole Museum. The purchase was funded by donations to the museum and from the yachting community coordinated by Peter Burt of the Poole Maritime Trust.
Michael Spender, museum and arts manager, Borough of Poole, said: “It is important and innovative that the museum has engaged so closely with the yachting community to share the cost of the acquisition and the benefit of having the Canford Cup back in Poole.”
On 30 May, the trophy was presented by Poole Mayor Xena Dion to the overall winner of the International Paints Poole Regatta, Sam Laidlaw sailing Aguila in IRC3.
Following the presentation, the Canford Cup was returned to Poole Museum, where it will be on display with the winner’s photograph and name.
