Sophia Girls’ Team visit to Bedford Physical Training College, 1947

In 1946, the Ling Physical Education Association approached the Swedish Gymnastic Association with a request to elect the best women’s and the best men’s team to tour the British Isles.  Following a competition, the Sophia Girls’ Team and the Arbetarnas Men’s Team, coached by Maja Carlquist and Erik Lindén respectively, were selected to tour major cities in England, Scotland and Wales in October-November 1947 with a demonstration of Swedish Gymnastics.

This souvenir programme of their ten-date tour survives in the Bedford Physical Education Archive.  Although not part of the official programme, we know from photographs held in the Archive that the Sophia Girls’ Team visited Bedford Physical Training College to give a demonstration in the college gymnasium.
  
As a gymnastics educator, Maja Carlquist (1884-1968) based her system of gymnastics on those of Pehr Henrik Ling (1776-1839), a pioneer in the teaching of physical education whose ideas had formed the bedrock of gymnastics teaching at Bedford and other physical training colleges.  However, Carlquist then applied the principles of rhythm, the aim being the greatest possible effect with the least possible strain.  Difficult movements performed with ease, using energy achieved without tension, was characteristic of the demonstration performed by the Sophia Girls’ team.

The visit by the Sophia Girls’ Team is just one example of how teaching staff at Bedford were receptive to new ideas and challenges in the field of physical education.  Over the decades, Bedford played host to pioneering dancers, Olympic medallists, and pitted their 1st XII lacrosse team against international players.  All of which can be explored through souvenir programmes, photographs and reports held in the Archive.

Souvenir Programme for Swedish Gymnastics Association Tour of Britain, 1947