Jeremy Newton breaststroked to glory to win the Clary Reed cup, swum in memory of both Clary Reed and Alan Lacy. The delightful Lacy daughters and granddaughters were all lakeside to watch the race and present the cup and prizes.
Apparently not everyone realised it was a breaststroke race and "one or two" people were disqualified. Not that anyone complained and, as usual, swimming fun was had by all.
Jeremy Newton won his first silverware with the club - he's been trying since 2017
A very appropriate prize. (photo: Fiona Campbell)
Alan Lacy sponsored a spring race over 220 yards for the best part of 60 years. Originally a freestyle event the opportunity to change this to a breaststroke race arose in 1982. Alan grabbed this with both hands as it meant he would not have to race the stroke he said he found "unfathomable". Another fixture card juggle in 2001 meant the Clary Reed cup was happily allocated to Alan's race. Alan had a very close connection with Clary, who invited him to join the club in 1948. Clary was revered within the club as the man who ensured the club's continuing survival during the difficult days of WW2 when many members were away on active and national service.
Alan was always very keen that Clary's memory and the debt owed him by the club would never be forgotten.
The race was cancelled in April due to the suspension of our race fixtures. A nifty bit of fixture juggling prompted by Norman and Lorraine Jones meant last Saturday the club was finally able to celebrate one of the club's longest-serving members who sadly passed away in March 2020. Though Alan's death was not due to Covid 19, it was the Covid lockdown that meant Alan's funeral arrangements were minimal and we were not able to give him a true club send-off.
Alan's granddaughters Flora and Clara and daughters Sue and Jane presented the cup and prizes. (photo: Fiona Campbell)
Please follow this link for the background to Alan Lacy and the Clary Reed cup. The article was part of "the race we missed" series produced whilst fixtures were suspended as a reminder to members both new and old of the history behind our races, and of the individuals who had contributed so much to the club dating back over what is nearly 160 years.
http://serpentineswimmingclub.com/news/51092/alan-lacy-breaststoke-race-for-the-clary-reed-cup
Alan 1941. He lied about his age to sign-up when he was still only 17.
And finally.... a quick look forward to next week
In 1988 Alan won the Daily Telegraph cup, sponsored by Ashwin Pandya. The cup has now been repurposed to honour Emmi Hunte, an octogenarian club legend who still races. The final fixture of the Emmi Hunte four race series is next Saturday, 23 October. As well as honouring Emmi we will also remember our long term friend Ashwin, who passed away in January 2020.