Over recent years Ingrid, Jeremy and Robin Hunter-Coddington have presented a cup to an individual who they felt had made "an outstanding but largely unrecognised contribution to the club". The presentation would be made after the Hunter-Coddington Dash, a "scratch" 110-yard (100m) race and the second of the Club Championship series. Robin & Co. have moved aside from sponsoring the race. James Norton has stepped into their shoes and will continue the tradition behind this particularly elegant cup.
The cup came back into the club's possession a few years ago. It was originally awarded for a series of "veterans" races in the 1930s by the then club Secretary Clary Reed.
Karen is the eighth recipient of the cup
"I hope everyone will join me in thanking the amazing Karen Helke for all she has done for the club this past year, as worthy of public applause as any other Covid era caring hero.
Thanks to her incredible and selfless efforts, Karen has done more than anyone to keep the club secure, safe and open for swimming. She often opened up at 5am and was at the pond most days from the early hours until whistling swimmers back to shore at closing time. As well as wardening more often than anyone else she supported and supervised the warden teams, stepped in whenever there were wardens missing and maintained the security of our swimming and changing spaces with dedicated expertise. Always fair, but firm when needed, knowing that the parks were keeping a beady eye on our keeping to the (Covid 19) regulations and with swimmers’ safety always uppermost, Karen gave our members the warmest of welcomes. She also took the temperature, checked the numbers, looked after new members, liaised between Parks and club, picked blackberries and generally keeps everything shipshape Serpside. Occasionally she has time for a dip. Then she helps close up and goes off to a demanding day job.
This is devotion to our club at the highest level, this is Serpentine spirit at its best. If you have enjoyed swimming in the pond this year, thank Karen; if this precious resource has kept you alive and happy, thank Karen; if you love our club, thank Karen."
James Norton, 19 June 2021
James Norton, with Karen
9.30 am, on the dot
That familiar smile
No, American exile Karen is not panning for gold in the lake. Taking the water temperature is one of the most important tasks of the morning. After all, what else would we talk about over our post swim tea and cake?
John Tierney was presented with the cup on 7th March 2020. We raced the following Saturday. Then had a 61 week gap due to "circumstances beyond our control".
