Cambridge boat race clash with travellers’ funfair: Safety fears after students ‘attacked by catapult-wielding teens spitting at rowers and using sandwiches as missiles’

The safety of Cambridge University students is feared to be at risk amid a potential flashpoint between historic boat races and a travellers’ fair on the same weekend.

Concerns have intensified after a student rower putting their boat away was hit by a metal nut fired from a catapult by teenagers sitting across the river last summer.

Other incidents in previous years have included youths spitting at boats while leaning over the edge of bridges as well as sandwiches and bananas being used as missiles.

Another clash is feared ahead of the May Bumps rowing event which takes place between June 18 and 21; with the Midsummer Fair on between June 18 and 22.

The fair is a popular traveller gathering held on Midsummer Common, opposite many college boathouses, and is one of England’s oldest such events dating back to 1211.

But a spate of recent incidents has led Dr Isabel Nimmo, chairwoman of Cambridge University Combined Boat Clubs (CUCBC), to express fears about student safety.

In an email to college captains, Dr Nimmo said she was considering not racing on the Friday and Saturday, which are the two busiest days of the fair, for safety reasons.

She has also asked police to patrol the river to avoid any problems, although pointed out that there were not any problems when the two events clashed years ago.

Cambridge University students taking part in the “May Bumps” on the River Cam in 2019

Albert Harris stands at his traditional coconut shy at the Midsummer Fair in Cambridge in 2007

One boats captain, who did not want to be named, told The Times: ‘None of us want Bumps to be cancelled, but we also don’t want it to be unsafe either.

‘When the fair’s on we’re usually advised to steer clear of the boathouses entirely so I’m definitely worried about racing on the last two days.’

One rower told university newspaper Varsity that, during a previous Midsummer Fair, a group of three young people used ‘a catapult to fire metal 10mm nuts’ at him and his friend while putting their boat away – one of which left his leg bleeding.

Another rower, speaking about training during past Midsummer Fairs, told the publication: ‘Normally it’s manageable; the only thing to look out for is the occasional person throwing stuff at you.’

Captains are also worried about the ‘Boatie Mash’, which is a party after the Bumps in a Cambridge club shared with locals – and have advised rowers not to attend.

But the Friends, Families and Travellers charity, which combats discrimination against travellers, has accused CUCBC members of promoting ‘harmful stereotypes’.

The May Bumps rowing event in Cambridge will be taking place between June 18 and 21 

People attend the Midsummer Fair in Cambridge, a traveller-run event dating back to 1211

Hundreds of students take part in the May Bumps rowing event in Cambridge each year

The Midsummer Fair is one of England’s oldest fairs and takes place each year in Cambridge

A spokesman said: ‘It is alarming that, despite no evidence, time and resources are being directed toward scapegoating and demonising gypsy and traveller people.’

The Showmen’s Guild, which organises the fair, said: ‘We have meetings every year with the Police and SAG [safety advisory group] that is formed to deal with this event.

‘We have never at any of our meetings had any reports of incidents regarding rowers from any of those involved with the SAG group.

‘To my knowledge this is the first year we have a clash with Bumps; we cannot control anything that happens outside of our perimeter for the event.’

A CUCBC spokesman said: ‘A small number of boat clubs expressed concerns about the timing of May Bumps this year, as it partly overlaps with the Midsummer Fair, another mass spectator event.

‘Cambridge University Combined Boat Clubs have held positive discussions with relevant local bodies and are not concerned that Midsummer Fair will interfere with the smooth running of the event.’

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