A race celebrating the contribution to the club of Alan Titmuss, who joined in 1950 aged 13. There was also a blue and white hooped theme from club members that shared Alan's devotion to Queens Park Rangers.
A large turnout from four generations of the family saw Paulette Titmuss present the Titmuss cup to Callum Higgins. Though having appeared in prize positions, this was Callum's first first place.
The race was preceded by the Veterans' cup, for those of us of a certain vintage. Andrew Fuller (joined 1985) backstroked to victory.
First silverware for Callum Higgins
In the absence of President Rob Ouldcott, Hon. Secretary Laure Latham stepped in to welcome the four generations of the Titmuss family and to tell us about Alan's contribution to the club.
Veterans' champion, Andrew Fuller
A member since 1985 - a vintage year
The Veterans' 100m dash served as a curtain raiser for the Titmuss cup
Veterans' races have been part of the club calendar since the 19th century. The current cup, donated by the Brew Brothers, dates from 1935
99 years ago
1924, when veterans looked like veterans
An overcast morning soon cleared to give us sunshine for the presentation and Laure's speech
Having completed the Veteran's 100m sprint, Andrew Fuller joined Tony Schiemann on the board to commence a gentle 400m for the Titmuss cup
The Dream Team
Mike Barron, with his rapidly learning race-official recruits Stefano Giardina and Thanos Papasavvas. (note Ian MacEachern doing his hamstring exercises in the background)
Handicapper Alan, January 2006
Having performed virtually every role in the club, Alan took on handicapper duties in the 2000s
1987, watched on by Sue, Alan's sister
A big turnout from the Titmuss clan, plus a contingent of blue and white "Superhoops"
Post presentation breakfast
Alan became a member of the Serpentine Swimming Club in 1950 aged 13 having been introduced to the club by his uncle, Sid Baker. On leaving school he was apprenticed as a bookbinder. When called up for National Service he was advised by a club members who had served in the forces to opt for the Royal Marines “rather than spend two years square bashing and peeling spuds in some other unit”. After leaving the Marines Alan worked in local authority building departments and studied his way to being a fully qualified architect (RIBA). Alan took on the role of club Secretary and Treasurer in 1964, on the retirement of Bill Reed. Alan served as President from 1986 to 1989 and also performed the role of Hon. Handicapper during the mid-2000s.
Spring, 1990
Alan always retained his love of bookbinding, which he continued to practice as a hobby whilst working as an architect. On retirement from the London Borough of Hillingdon Architects Department Alan taught bookbinding at evening classes. A true labour of love.
In the 1980s and 90s Alan organised skiing holidays for club members, some of whom survived the experience and are still with us today: Norman and Lorraine Jones, Chris Hatcher and Brian Thomas. Alan learnt to ski whilst in the Royal Marines, in Cyprus of all places (Mount Troodos, at 1,951m, can be skied from January to end March). Alan said this involved walking up the mountain in full kit, strapping on what were known as “NATO planks” to his commando boots, and somehow getting down in one piece! No question of a ski lift.
Alan's middle grandson, Matthew, joined the club and raced with us between 2011 and 2013 when getting his fitness and "winter resilience" up to scratch prior to joining the army (Royal Tank Regiment).
The hooped connection - Alan was a long term season ticket holder at Queens Park Rangers
Chris Hatcher, Norman Jones, George Cselko and Brian Thomas, joined by two of Alan's grandchildren for a footballing tribute to Alan
Other than swimming in our lake, Alan competed in judo and was also a swim coach in the 1960s. Alan followed Arsenal in his early years, going to Highbury with his uncle and father in the late 1940s and early 1950s. In later life he became a season ticket holder at Queens Park Rangers, being "converted" by friend and work colleague Chris Hatcher, who Alan introduced to the club. For Alan, following the Arsenal was relegated to an armchair distraction. Alan held his first season ticket at Loftus Road in 1981 and was a regular across three decades.
Those who knew Alan will not just remember him as the life and soul of the club, but also its driving motor and energy. You name it he was involved in it. In the early 1980s, and again in the 1990s, when swimming in the Serpentine was threatened with closure due to budget pressures on The Royal Parks (the Health and Safety angle was always a red herring and an easy diversion) it was Alan that led the campaign and went on prime time national television (Nationwide) to be interviewed.
Press photoshoot for the 1982 campaign
The early 1990s again saw a threat to swimming in the Lido, and again Alan led the campaign to ensure the club could still swim and race.
Lido refurbishment underway, early 1996
Following "a public outcry" (once Alan got his teeth into it) The Royal Parks agreed to invest in the Lido and the area's layout and facilities became much as we see today. Though closed to the public over the summer of 1995 the club were able to continue racing, "swimming at our own risk in water that may be untreated". The work for a re-vamped Lido was finished by early summer, 1996. As an architect Alan was involved by the Parks in the building design. Being in a Royal Park there were very strict design guidelines which meant no windows to the new changing room, much to Alan's frustration. Alan seen here inspecting the works.
For lots more information on Alan and his race please follow this link to the 2021 report -
Alan had a good record on Christmas mornings. He was second in his first race in 1950, then won the 1963, 1978, 1989 and 1999 races. Alan thus won a Peter Pan cup in four of his six decades with the club. Quite a record.
However, Alan did win the Bridge to Bridge race in 2006. We can thus say he proudly won a "Blue Ribbon" race in five of his six decades swimming at the Serpentine
Alan won the 1963 100th Christmas Day race (but had to wait to 4 January)
The 1963 race was frozen off, so was held 4 January
Christmas 1963. Ice prevented the race from going ahead, but club members posed for the camera before having a dip in a hole in the ice
4 January 1964, the 100th Christmas Day race
Alan won again in 1978 (no photo) and again in 1989
1989, winner Alan joined by son David.
And again in 1999
Alan was heavily involved in the 1963/64 centenary celebrations
Victorian costume race, 1 August 1964
Long term family connections. One from the Titmuss collection. 1969, or 1970?
Front, Marc Titmuss, Tony Bennion, Jesse Kelly. Back, David Titmuss, Sean Kelly, Duff Kelly.
Alan Titmuss, 1936 - 2009
1963 Peter Pan cup winner
(report compiled by Brian Thomas)