Hats off to the handicapping team for a morning of competitive fun.
Victory in an event going back 92 years went to team captain Nick Hungerford and his crew - Simone Piccoli, Brad Fultz and Blyda Hefer.
The morning was completed with cake and candles for Lorraine Jones.
In Rob Ouldcott's absence Brian Thomas welcomed Dinknesh Gobena, who presented the tankards to the winning team
Dinknash was the long term live-in companion and carer to Paul Bridgeman's son Gerald and his wife Rosie. (photo: James Norton)
An event on the fixture list for 92 years
The event first appeared on our fixture list in 1931, in memory of club vice president Paul Bridgeman who sadly died young the previous year
The victorious team, Nick, Simone and Blyda, minus Brad.
Brad wasn't bashful or shy of the camera. He just had to dash off to work. (Photo: Norman Jones)
Brian spoke of Paul Bridgeman's naval and medical exploits. (Photo: Norman Jones)
Standing on the very same table, nearly 90 years ago
A young Gerald Bridgeman, Paul's son, presented the trophies whilst standing on the table we still use today for prizegiving; circa 1935.
Ten teams of four competed in the heats to get to the final
Getting ready, awaiting the handicapper's instruction
A sprint to the 50m mark and a handover to the team members waiting in the water
Return leg underway
Awaiting the next handover
A fast and furious 50m completed, but in vein
An embarrassed Jamal. Starting the first leg for his team, he took a flyer when he mistook the end of Robin's handicap countdown as his cue to commence the race
Let the final commence
A stretching Nick Hungerford patiently weighing-up the opposition as he awaits his mark.
Blyder Hefer touches to win the final
Victorious handshake
Team mate Brad congratulated Blyda after her hard swum final leg
In 1903, in his early teens, Paul Bridgeman joined the Royal Navy as a cadet on the training ship HMS Brittania and went on to serve throughout WW1. At the Battle of Jutland, Commander Bridgeman was signals officer to Admiral Sir Cecil Burney on HMS Marlborough. Though playing a significant part in the battle and the sinking of the German light cruiser SMS Wiesbaden, the Marlborough was badly damaged by a torpedo from the Wiesbaden itself. The Marlborough had to retire from the battle, but Paul and the Admiral transfered by launch to HMS Revenge to see out the conflict.
1928, receiving the Colin Cooper cup from long term stalwart Alfred Rowley.
Paul Bridgeman was a popular club member and a vice President
After the end of the war Paul Bridgeman commenced medical studies at St Thomas' hospital. Marriage meant he did not complete his studies and he went into banking, though he did serve on the board of St. Bartholomew's hospital.
There is an oft told Serpentine story of how, when a medical student, Paul one early morning found a dead body in the Serpentine (reportedly a Chinese seaman) under the ice off the end of the diving board. With the help of fellow club members the body of the unfortunate man was recovered. Realising he had a rare find for use in his studies, Paul, again with club members assisting, put the cadaver on his push bike and set off across the park for the hospital. To no suprise, he was stopped on his way by a passing policeman. What happened next is not 100% clear, but Paul's son Gerald confirmed the basis of the story to be true. It has been told and retold every year at the Serpentine for approaching 100 years. You can imagine the scene on that cold, foggy old London town morning -
"Hello, hello, hello, what have we got here then?"
"A dead gentleman".
"Where are you taking him?"
"St Thomas's hospital. I am a medical student and the body will go to good use".
"Oh well, on your way then. And don't get up to any mischief".
In October 1930 Paul sadly died following an accident whilst chopping down a tree. The injury resulted in septicemia from which Paul did not recover. He was 42.
In Paul's memory and in recognition of his love for our lake, the family sponsored the first Bridgeman Team Race event the following year. It has appeared on the fixture list ever since.
The Times, 30 October 1930
1931, the first Paul Bridgeman Team Race
Paul's daughters Jeannine and Marigold presented the trophies
Writing in 2019, Mike Olizar recalled the following -
"Gerald was a scion of a younger line of the Earls Of Bradford (Shropshire not Yorkshire), Bridgeman being the family name. The present earl is the seventh and his son the future earl came down to the Serps several years ago to watch the event.
"A true aristocrat Gerald was untroubled by convention. He was the 1960s hippy adorned with chains and necklaces. Do not forget Rosie his companion who for many years came to the lake on their annual remembrance of Gerald's father. In later years Dinknash their live-in companion and carer also came to watch the event.
"Gerald and Rosie were always bemused by the relay race. Teams were formed; heats were held; handicappers in the 'old days' would rack their brains with pencil stubbs (bring back Frank Simms!) at the ready trying to form teams and work timings out."
2006, Rosie and Gerald presenting the trophies, whilst Alan Titmuss recounted the Serpentine tales of Paul Bridgeman. We celebrated Alan's race last Saturday.
Gerald and his wife Rosie attended the fixture for many decades, always facinated and humoured by the Hon. Handicapper's attempt at marshalling club members into teams to produce a thrilling late spring spectacle. Despite the sometimes chaotic nature of the races, Gerald always looked forward to the event remembering the father who he was too young to ever know.
Gerald himself was a very larger than life, colourful character. A real "child" of the sixties, though he was in his 30s at the time. Practicing as an artist, one of his business ventures was to open London's very first Swedish sauna. Gerald died early in 2018, leaving no heirs. Robin Hunter-Coddington, Mike Olizar and Brian Thomas represented the club at the funeral, with Robin as club President giving a reading.
We finished the morning with a very special cake for a very special lady
Happy Birthday Lorraine Jones
(report compiled by Brian Thomas)