A morning to rival the very wettest as a very proud Sophia Holder held on to her lead to claim the spoils.
We swam an 800m race in memory of a real gentleman and true friend to many longer-term members. The race prizes were provided by Jon and Laura Tomlinson, whose friendship "blossomed" at the club in 2005 during Roy's presidency and retain a close affection for President Wrey.
The drizzle could not dampen Sophia's proud, wide, not at all soggy, smile
First cup of many? (photo: Rebecca Emery)
Roy Wrey was a true gentleman who graced the club from the mid 1950s until he died “in post” as President in 2006. “A quiet, un-fussy character”. Roy was a regular from the late 1950s and served as vice Captain from 1965 to 1970. In the 1980s his wife became ill and Roy spent many years caring for her. Being unable to leave her alone for long periods a return trip to the Serpentine by tube from Northolt would have taken too much time away from home and we did not see him for many years. He was not able to come back to us until the mid-1990s. Roy was always extremely well-liked and active in the club, and in 2004 was elected our 25th President.
Roy always took great care over his well prepared post-race speeches, even when his own health began to fail. A nice, “old world” touch would be exhibited when he led the customary "three cheers". Rather than "hip! hip!” Roy would lead the cry with a quick "pip! pip! pip! before hooray!”.
Many club members will empathise with Roy's equipment malfunction from twenty one years ago
(Note: the photo is from the Titmuss archive, unattributed. It was most probably taken by Andrew Buurman, prize winning photographer and recent club member)
Roy joined the club in the mid 1950s
1957. Roy first on the left
Roy was Vice Captain 1965-70 and President 2004-06.
Christmas 2005, President Roy Wrey with Peter Pan cup winner Geoff Ransom
President Rob welcomed our old friends Jon and Laura Tomlinson
Jonathon joined the club in 2005, six years after the then Laura Moffatt had begun brightening our mornings. After a year or so some of us did notice the growing bond between the two, for instance seeing how Laura would be ready with a cup of coffee for Jon lakeside after a winter competition heat. We mere mortals had to trudge back to the changing room to make our own! They married in 2007.
Aside from swimming, Jon is a very keen photographer and would often “snap away” with his vintage Leica when lakeside. Jon is also a very dedicated cyclist, with many bumps, scrapes and bruises to show for it. In fact Rosie George nicknamed him "Tooth" after one in the front went missing following another collision! His passion for cycling has been inherited by their two boys, Cedric and Billy who both compete locally. Laura and Jon were also very close to Bill Phipps and visited him during his illness. Billy is named after Bill.
Our heroic wardens welcomed us in the wet
Clock started, swimmers sheltered
15 minutes in (photo: Fran Lou)
The non-stop shower could not dampen the big smile from Sophia, first home for her first silverware
(photo: Norman Jones)
Andrew Wilson followed up in second place
(photo: Norman Jones)
The fight for third
Chris Hatcher snatched it (photo: Norman Jones)
Chatting (not singing) in the rain
(photo: Norman Jones)
Out of the water, onto just as wet terra firma (photo: Norman Jones)
A splendidly happy Sophia, joined by some seriously surprising facial expressions
(photo: Norman Jones)
Second place for Andrew Wilson
Chris Hatcher third
(photo: Norman Jones)
Fourth place for Hettie Barry
A coy look from Hettie, whilst President Rob took an oath of allegiance - though we are not sure to whom or what?
Fifth place for our club captain, Deirdre Ward
Deirdre was cheered on by Mum and Dad, over from Dublin for a visit.
Sixth place for Mia Ryan
Rob announced that Mia had recently completed a double marathon, something she stated "was not an ultra". A massive understatement for those of us mere mortals. (photo: Norman Jones)
Temperature guru James Norton, lucky number seven
Laura (nee Moffatt) joined the club in 1999. She has a lovely speaking voice, as befits a vicar's daughter. In the early 2000s when spending an extended stay in Texas she featured on a local radio station reading out the names in the entire telephone directory of the small west Texas town of Marfa. She was a great hit. Incidentally, though Marfa has a population of 1,981 the reading was, we believe, riviting.
Maybe one Saturday morning we could persuade Laura to complete a similar feat by reading out, if not the club's full roll of members (we would probably still be there at midday) then the full handicap list of the morning's race.
At the turn of new millenium Laura's love for the club was confirmed to us when she arrived for a Saturday morning swim straight from Gatwick airport after an overnight trans-Atlantic flight, large suitcase in tow but swimming costume at the ready.
Family commitments mean Laura and Jon cannot join us every Saturday, but we always look forward to their annual celebration of Roy Wrey, the peresident when the lake drew them together.
And finally
Sam Speirs was presented with the Arthur Hester Memorial Cup to celebrate her victory last Saturday
(Report compiled by Brian Thomas. Images provided by Brian and the club's archives, unless credited to individuals)