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The artist says: 'I have known Nicholas Brooks for around 5 or 6 years, he is 55 years old and has more energy and a lust for life than most people I know. I met Nick when I started competing in Triathlon; he is a keen triathlete. Nick is also a keen swimmer and swims in the sea all year round weather permitting and is an integral part of the swimming and water polo community of Penzance. Despite his love of the water Nick’s real passion has always been Rugby. In his younger days Nick played as an amateur for the Pirates, a decent player by all accounts and until recently organised and played in a charity match annually on Boxing day, Brooksy's Barbarians v Pirates amateurs. For many years Nick coached, mentored and encouraged the development of talented youngsters many of which have gone on to play at a high level, the most well-known of whom is Jack Nowell who recently played for England in the Six Nations.
Nick is a big part of the local open water swimming community and unofficially organises a sea swim around the bay every Wednesday and Friday throughout the summer as well as the annual local Newlyn (officially called the Yacht Inn) swim, to which over 500 people travel from far and wide to compete or take part. The money raised goes to cancer research. 10 years ago Nick lost his wife Liz to cancer and it was a very difficult time for him and his two children, Ben and Becky; he was left to bring them up by himself and they are a real credit to him.
It is fair to say that Nick, or Brooksy as he is known to all, is a bit of a local legend. He has a wonderful ability to lift the mood and bring joy to those who are lucky enough be around him. He is someone that I admire and someone I feel privileged to call a friend.'
Royal Society of Portrait Painters People's Portraits collection at Girton College, University of Cambridge
Cambridge
Title
‘Brooksy’
Date
2014
Medium
oil on panel
Measurements
H 40 x W 37 cm (E)
Accession number
606
Acquisition method
on loan from the Royal Society of Portrait Painters
Work type
Painting
Inscription description
Initialled
