Saturday 19 December would have seen the final races of the Winter Series for the Fettes cup with prizes presented by the Kelly family. The cup has been presented at the end of the Winter series since 1958, in memory of Bernard Fettes. The Winter series span many generations and harks back to the early years of the club in the 19th century. Since the mid-1970s the series has been sponsored by the Kelly family. American artist Francis Bob Kelly was club President 1983 to 1986.
1954 final race and the press are present
Handicapper Arthur Goffrey calls the marks
Sid Levy gliding through, 1954.
Sid was club President during the 1964 centenary year.
Alan Lacy noted that Bernard Fettes was a dentist who would arrive at the Serpentine in his pride and joy, a Jaguar motor car.
The Kelly family have sponsored the Winter series since the mid 1970s
Bob at the lake with Duff, Sean and Jess. The Hawaiian shirts were made by Bob's brother
In his professional life Bob was Francis
Bob's art has been exhibited world-wide
Bob scoured the bottom of the lake with the aid of snorkel and flippers to collect vintage bottles
A 1977 article on Bob
Website 31 October 2012
Bob represented his adopted Great Britain in Triathlon
1990
Jess was no average swimmer, achieving an Olympic qualifying time for the 200m breast stroke.
1984, Jess with Duncan Goodhew (now a fellow Serpie)
Duff pursued a career in the US Marines
1990
Contemporary report: Duff Kelly managed to swim a mile in the 37oF Serps water, whilst the air was only 33oF!!!! He has been training for this for a while, and he writes:
"Well I came down to London on Thursday night and was considering making my swim attempt on Friday but decided that if I died doing it, I would miss the Madness Concert and party Friday evening so I put it off until Sunday since I was up all night on Friday. It was 37F and air was 33F. I was in a bit of a state after it and was a bit concerned but thanks to Jane Murphy who reassured me and helped me recover, I am still here so far. Anyway, I know it's not the greatest achievement but it was a personal quest and feels good to have done it but my heart was not enjoying it as much as I was. "
2019 winner, John Craske
John assures us the cup is being kept bright and sparkly
2009 winner Robin
Final race
Robin Hunter-Coddington
Cup presented by Bob
2018 and Matthew Johnson wins his first silverware
Ice thwarted the competitors for the last Saturday of the series in 2010. Gordon Brodie won on points harvested over previous weeks.
Sakura contemplating: to dip or not to dip.....
Gordon and the Kellys
2010 presentation
The scene that greeted us
1987 and after 20 years of trying Brian Thomas finally sneaks home
1987 and some well remembered faces
