RVT Sports Day 2007 (Image Mike Molloy)
The Royal Vauxhall Tavern (RVT) has a long history of charity events, from 1970s shows in aid of local causes to crucial fundraisers in the early days of the HIV/AIDS crisis.
In 1982, the park behind the pub played host to a new event: a charity sports day with fixtures including skipping relay, competitive strip and drag race (you heard it there first!).
The first event was a competition with Subway bar, featuring a variety of looks “from ordinary clone outfits to high drag and all stages in between”. It attracted around 400 spectators,
Hosted by drag royalty Adrella, Sports Day continued for many years then went on hiatus.
In 2007, it returned to the Tavern with Timberlina – host of Monday’s Big Bingo Show – hosting proceedings and funds being raised for gay men’s health charity GMFA, as well as Vauxhall City Farm. Since then Sports Day has become an August Bank Holiday fixture in the RVT calendar.
Ahead of this year’s event on Monday August 31, Timberlina describes what it means to her.
Timberlina as Sports Day mistress of ceremonies
I’ve had the privilege and pleasure of hosting the annual RVT GMFA Sports Day since it was resurrected in 2007. It is a landmark annual institution-cum-pilgrimage to the Mecca that is the Vauxhall Tavern.
This finely tuned spectacle of shambolic hilarity draws everyone, from the many who make the building thrive today to those who come to remember their once-regular haunt.
One of the great things about Sports Day is that it requires no knowledge of actual sports. It is an uncompetitive competition – my favourite kind.
Whatever the weather, teams arrive for the famous 50m mince, handbag-throwing and drag relay.
Indoor relay at the rainy RVT Sports Day 2014 (image Mike Kear)
From hot, muscly bears to dwindlingly-muscled twinks, but all with bags of chutzpah, all the teams brave whatever elements ensue and embarrass themselves in front of a swollen throng of onlookers: RVT regulars, straights, gays, families and local hoodies alike, who take their place on the grassy knoll to howl at the spectacle and raise some money for a treasured cause – namely GMFA and Vauxhall City Farm.
As a stoic inhabitant of a raging world, for me Sports Day provides a vital reminder of the importance of local community spirit and fun.
We’ve done themes, we’ve done earnest, we’re even done it inside the Tavern. Last year, when the heavens opened, the relay took place around Pleasure Island – the bar in he middle of the Tavern adorned by iron poles. It harked back to the days when drag queens (perhaps including Adrella?) would whizz round the old long curved bar on roller skates.
The first RVT Sports Day in 1982 (Image from Steve Ellis)
The RVT has always been a queer epicentre – not just as a bar or nightclub but as an iconic community centre and political hub, a vehement example of queer community cohesion, a safe space.
Even in its days of semi-retirement, when it was only open for Duckie on Saturdays and SLAGS on Sundays, where else could two such contrasting events sit side by side and perhaps unwittingly but fundamentally hold a common cause?
With its new ownership installed in the noughties, the RVT opened its doors during the week once again and resurrected the legendary Sports Day.
Like a phoenix, or maybe a wobbly pigeon, with a scream of wild excitement and enthusiasm it was back, with a bemused bearded lady at the helm.
It is the venue’s management that we have to thank for the RVT’s community spirit.
Sports Day is like an extended family Christmas, but a family you actually want to hang out with. For some, it’s a crucial page in their queer narrative. For others, it’s a shared picnic to nurse the weekend comedown.
Come share, rekindle, raise money or just make out… On a grassy knoll… Under that Vauxhall sky behind the formidable and legendary mother that is the Royal Vauxhall Tavern.
The RVT GMFA Sports Day is in the Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens behind the RVT on Monday August 31. Tomfoolery starts at 2pm. Find out more here and here and follow @GaySportsDay on Twitter.
And check out loads of images from the first ever RVT sports day in 1982 here.
Finally, check out this cute video from the 2007 event.
