The Percy Clears cup race fell foul of blue-green algae in August 2022 and again in September 2023. Tweaks to the 2024 fixture calendar saw a new spring date for Clare Doyle's race.
Two 200m races again, with first home in the first race Aussie Natasha Wake receiving the silverware.
Natasha Wake received the Percy Clears cup from Clare Doyle
Clare officially joined the club twenty years ago in 2004, though she was an occasional Serpie for some years prior.
A Parisian theme for the morning's prizes
The story of Percy Clears came to light after the reintroduction of ghe cup.
Barney Miller stood down from sponsoring the Andean Project 4 x 220-yard relay race after the 2011 event. The club introduced an 880-yard race in its place in 2013 (there was no fixture on the corresponding Saturday in 2012 due to the Olympics). Neil Price, a member since 2003, took on the sponsorship. The Percy Clears cup was one of the trophies that had come back into the club's possession and we decided to use this small, stylish trophy for Neil's race.
In the run-up to the fixture the history of Percy was not apparent. Alan Lacy, who turned 90 just before Neil's race, said he could remember an elderly member called Herbert Clears from when he first joined the club in 1948, but not a Percy. Quite a mystery.
Percy Clears, 1882 - 1918
Percy James Clears was one of four brothers who were members of Serpentine SC. His swimming brothers were Arthur E., Herbert H., and D.J. Clears. The brothers were club members between 1901 and 1919, their membership payments being recorded in the Serpentine SC Subscription book from early last century in the following years: Arthur 1901-1912, Herbert 1902-1919, PJ 1904-1918, DJ 1905-09 and 1911-1916.
Percy James Clears was born in Fulham in December 1882. He died aged 36 on 26 October 1918 in West Flanders, Belgium. Percy Clears was a Sapper in the British Army, and served with the Royal Engineers. His burial plot is in West Flanders, Belgium at the Harlebeke New British Cemetery, which is located 32 kilometres east of Leper town centre.
Percy’s brother Herbert H. Clears was a Private with the Tank Corps. Herbert was a prisoner of war from 15 September 1916 until Armistice Day 11 November 1918. Herbert Clears was very much a veteran member when the late Alan Lacy joined the club in 1948.
The Percy Clears memorial cup was originally presented in 1926. Heats were held on Wednesday 2 June with the final on Saturday 5 June. J C L R Brittan won the trophy.
This link will take you to club member John Tierney's marvellous research of 2013 concerning the four Clear's brothers who were members of our club over 110 years ago.
Rob Ouldcott exhibited the stylish and graceful cup and told us of Percy Clears and his three brothers who were regular club members in the early years of the 20th century
Rob also reminded us of Clare Doyle's various relay accomplishments, including the English Channel and Loch Ness
Natasha the first, a big part of the Serpentine's royal family
Another antipodean (a bit further south than Natasha) squeezed in second - Dave McGregor
Andrew Fuller up there too
John Reid snuck in from the right and raised a smile
Katie Irvine powered through to win the second of the two races
Charlotte Hallward (name spelt correctly this week) claimed second place to Katie
Nick Adams also amongst the prize winners
Two 200m races, the slower mob, followed by the faster crowd
First race gets underway (photo: Norman Jones)
(photo: Norman Jones)
Lonely at the turn for the early starters (photo: Norman Jones)
The three Cecil sisters (Jessica, Lizzie and Antonia - but not necessary in that order) arrived home first. However they were not prize winners as they do not yet have a formal handicap being new to our Saturday races. Not long until a formal handicap and thriving family fortunes? (photo: Norman Jones)
Natasha touched first to win the race, whilst two Cecil sisters had a chat (photo: Norman Jones)
Second home NZ Dave led the competitors out (photo: Norman Jones)
Mike and Thanos kept an official eye on proceedings
Second race underway
Amongst a bit of splashing distraction
Striving for home
Rob held back, Katie touched first
Katie and Charlotte take a breather, whilst the valiant also-rans fight for glory
Clare would never describe herself as an elete swimmer, but she certainly is a determined stayer, as evidenced by her relay participation in crossings of the English Channel and Loch Ness.
On 14 September 2008, Clare and the team made a successful relay crossing of the English Channel in 23 hours and 16 minutes.
The 2010 relay swim of the 23 mile length of Loch Ness was completed in 13 hours and 23 minutes. Clare reported that the Loch Ness monster was nowhere to be seen... but was Nessie hiding in plain site?
Loch Ness relay - together for the finish
Sophie Rutenbar, Clare Doyle, Jenny Rice, Kristie McIntyre, Anne MacAlpine, Martha Fray. 5 August 2010. 13 hours 23 minutes (photo: Aaron Sneddon)
(photo: Aaron Sneddon)
(Report compiled by Brian Thomas. Images provided by Brian, unless credited to individuals)