Societies Directory

The Cambridge University Punting Society (The Granta Rats) [CUGR]

For hundreds of years, Cambridge students have sought to escape the stresses of town and term, to plunge into the thrills and immerse themselves in the peace of the surrounding countryside. They have sought solace on, and in, the River. To release themselves from urban crush and academic confinement, they have gone in search of fresh air and exercise, but without taking such healthful pursuits too seriously. The Cambridge University Punting Society - the Granta Rats - maintains these time-honoured traditions.

We generally organise an outing as a Society to go punting, or occasionally sculling, every week. These trips are almost always on the more relaxed, rural Upper River, towards Grantchester, favourite haunt of Rupert Brooke and Lord Byron among others. Added to this, negotiations are currently underway with Scudamores Punting Company to allow members to hire punts for free at other times.

Yet our activities are not limited to pleasure boating. For those keen to gain a more literal immersion in the "yet unacademic stream", we act to encourage and facilitate social river swims among members.

In addition, we organise other social events such as a society dinner in the Lent Term and the annual Garden Party Picnic on Grantchester Meadows in May Week. Similarly, semi-official pub meets (particularly at the cozy Grantchester watering hole The Green Man) are a fairly frequent occurrence.

All in all, the Granta Rats follow a convivial, light-hearted, easy-going approach to riverine life. In a sense, we might be regarded as 'the antidote to boat clubs'.

Events

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