Rugby players on the beach

The Rugby World Cup Trophy Tour reached Brighton & Hove on Bank Holiday Monday  August 31. After a morning trip to Brighton Museum & Art Gallery, the famous Trophy was taken along to the seafront for a gathering with local Rugby players.

The Webb Ellis Cup on display

Players of all ages from Brighton Rugby Club and Hove Rugby Club came along to Yellowave Beach Sports Venue on Madiera Drive. The players had a friendly throw about on the sandy courts and took a close look at the Webb Ellis Cup.

Young players from the Brighton and Hove clubs

Brighton Blues boys with the Trophy

The next opportunity to see the Trophy will be from 10am to 12.30pm on Saturday September 19 at the official Fanzone on the beach near the Brighton Pier. The Trophy will be on display inside a viewing box on a RWC 2015 Land Rover.

More more information about the Fanzone and many other activities happening in Brighton & Hove during the first weekend of the Tournament have a look at the Fan Guide. 

Spanning the nations, rare artefacts at the museum

The Rugby World Cup Trophy Tour reached Brighton & Hove on Bank Holiday Monday August 31. Crowds gathered to see the prestigious Trophy on display at Brighton Museum & Art Gallery. 

Jacob Thomas-Brooks, aged 10, came along with his family. Jacob said: “I can’t wait until the Rugby starts, it’s going to brilliant. The Trophy was very impressive, very gold.”

Jacob, far right, with his family
and the Webb Ellis Cup

To celebrate the Trophy Tour, activities and displays were set up around the museum building. Staff looked after a range of rare objects taken out of museum storage for only one day to mark the occasion. The items were from the nations of Japan, Samoa, South Africa and USA, representing the four teams competing in Brighton & Hove during the Tournament.

Bark cloth as made in Samoa

South African beading

Visitors could see intricate South African beading, Native American Indian quills dating from the 1800s, decorative wrapping clothes called Furoshiki which are used instead of carrier bags in Japan and Tapa cloth made from the bark of the mulberry tree as found across Polynesia including Samoa.

Downstairs in the art room, children were encouraged to have a go at designing a Rugby shirt or flag for the team or teams of their choice taking part in the Tournament.

Alex Gilbert enjoyed making a Japanese inspired Rugby shirt design before going to see the Webb Ellis Cup with his mum, dad and older brother.

Alex with his Mum Gail

The Webb Ellis Cup was on display all morning before heading off to be the centre piece of a beach rugby session taking place later in the day.

The Webb Ellis Cup at Brighton Museum & Art Gallery

Find out more about the amazing artefacts at the museum and exhibitions on display

Rugby’s greatest prize to visit Brighton & Hove

The Webb Ellis Cup is recognised around the world as the greatest prize in the sport of Rugby. On June 10, with 100 days to go until the start of Rugby World Cup 2015, the Webb Ellis Cup set out on a tour of the UK and Ireland.

The Rugby World Cup Trophy Tour reaches Brighton & Hove on Bank Holiday Monday 31 August. By the time the Trophy reaches our city, with under three weeks to go before the two matches taking place in Brighton & Hove, this will be a chance to experience the build-up of excitement as the Tournament gets closer.

The Webb Ellis Cup - Photo credit: www.snapitnow.co.uk

There are two opportunities to see the Webb Ellis Cup in the city.

11am to 1pm, Monday 31 August, at Brighton Museum, Pavilion Gardens

Visitors will be able to view and handle artefacts from the countries represented in Brighton’s Rugby World Cup 2015 matches. The morning offers a fascinating insight into the customs and history of Japan, Samoa, the USA and South Africa, with the Webb Ellis Cup providing an iconic link to the sport of Rugby.

Brighton Museum - Photo credit: www.visitbrighton.com

2pm to 5pm, Monday 31 August, at Yellowave Beach Sports Venue, Madeira Drive

The Webb Ellis Cup will be on display at the seafront sporting venue where local Rugby players will take part in a friendly game of beach Rugby.

Yellowave - Photo credit: www.visitbrighton.com

Keep an eye out around the city on Bank Holiday Monday - the Trophy may well stop off at some of Brighton & Hove’s iconic locations for a photo opportunity or two during the day.

The Webb Ellis Cup will stay in the city and visit the Team Bases of Brighton College and the University of Brighton on Tuesday 1 September; access to these private events is by invitation only. Bank Holiday Monday is the best time to look out for the Trophy.

Did you see the Webb Ellis Cup when it visited Brighton & Hove last year? The iconic Trophy was out and about in the city to celebrate One Year To Go until the start of the Tournament. Have a look at our previous blog to see where it went in 2014.

The Trophy on the seafront in 2014
Photo credit: www.snapitnow.co.uk