Homage to a hero

PC Jimmy May has always admired the adventurer and military leader Lawrence of Arabia.

But when he stumbled across the obituary, printed in May 1935, he discovered one of Lawrence's lesser known adventures.

The article claimed that as a boy Lawrence had navigated the River Cherwell form Oxford to Banbury in a canoe.

The story said few had attempted the feat and Lawrence was thrown from his canoe during the trip.

So Mr May decided to put his detective skills into action and see if it could be done.

Mr May, a keen canoeist, said: "He must have done it around 1910, I cannot be exact. When I saw the article, reprinted in a biography, I thought I want to have a go at that."

He added: "I didn't know if it was a myth or genuine."

Mr May spent a year planning the 30-mile trip from Folly Bridge to Banbury.

But even after meticulous planning he admits his attempt ended in failure also.

"It's overgrown and too shallow. I really don't believe its changed much over the years, parts of it are just overgrown jungle."

He added: "After Rousham it was horrendous, after Kidlington it was a nightmare."

"The obstacles in the way were interesting and I was dragging the canoe through.

"It's like a minefield of old bikes and other debris."

"Even without a drought, and with heavy rain, the water couldn't get much higher.

"But once your past the Victoria Arms in Oxford its nice because everyone punts on that stretch."

Concluding his inquiries Mr May said: "I don't know whether it was an urban myth created by Lawrence or not, what I do know is you cannot paddle all the way and I don't think the river's changed much in 90 years."

But despite the setbacks Mr May said the two-day attempt in August had been very enjoyable - and he is already planning a second run.

"I am going to wait until winter time and see if anyone can give me better advice as to the best time to tackle it."