A race in memory of Clary Reed, who joined the club in 1910 and the young whippersnapper Alan Lacy, who joined as recently as 1948

Clary Reed, father of the (1963) Club Secretary, did perhaps more than any other man in the long history of the Club to keep things running smoothly during the most difficult period of the war, devoting nearly half a century of life to Club affairs. He joined the club in 1910 and was always a regular competitor up until the age of seventy-five. A splendid diver, he never lost his agility and even in his seventies could still execute a very neat dive from the springboard (which existed up until the mid-1960s).  In 1933 he took over the duties of handicapper from his old friend Fred Houghton and from then until the outbreak of World War II was always first to arrive at the lake, where he would take his own dip first before setting about the task of organising the races and making suitable adjustments to the handicaps. Occasionally such adjustments were made in the form of a reprimand to a member, and adverse criticism of the handicapping would usually mean an extra three seconds handicap for next time.

With ·the outbreak of war, a large proportion of the Club members went into service and Clary found himself acting as General Factotum, incorporating the duties of Secretary, Treasurer, Handicapper, and ' any other office that needed filling. He was determined that the club should survive.  Even through the darkest days and in spite of the heaviest air raids, strikes and all the other problems during wartime.  Clary could always be counted upon to be first at the lake, even though the field was sometimes reduced to a mere half a dozen competitors. Cheerful and kind-hearted, he was a great inspiration to others and on one occasion staggered down to the lake with a sack full of prizes on his back.

When the war ended and old members returned once more, Clary's devotion was rewarded.  Realising his ambition of getting the club back onto a sound footing he decided it was time to relax a little, and in 1948 reluctantly resigned as secretary handing over to his son, C.W. Reed, who continued to carry on his father’s tradition.

In his late seventies, Clary's health began to fail and in 1952 he passed on his handicapping duties to Arthur Goffrey, but continued to take an interest in Club affairs until his death in 1956. He will be remembered with esteem and affection as a man of integrity, and a loyal and true friend.