The white buoyed constraints were off and we were back to our standard race course. An event with a long name and a long history, recalling members that joined in the late 19th centrury, the early 20th century, the late 20th century and the early 21st century.
Cup winner Simone
With President Rob, Leanne, Ariabela, Hutan and Persie
Why the water polo ball? "Back in the day" Leanne captained both the Imperial College and University of London women's water polo teams. A tough sport - despite her slender appearance Leanne is no pushover.
Saturday 27 July saw us race over 800m (880 yards) for an event that has been on the fixture list since 1946. Sidney and Charlie Greenbury were two of the three Greenburg brothers that joined the club in 1909. The other was Albert, club President 1935 to 1955, whose direct descendants present the Peter Pan cup each Christmas - Albert took over from Sir James Barrie in 1933. The original surname of Albert, Sidney and Charles was Greenburg. Sadly due to rising antisemitism they chose to change the name to Greenbury in the 1930s.
The cup is in memory of Tommy Bradshaw
Tommy was already a long-standing member when the three Greenburgs joined in the 1900s. It was reintroduced in 2011.
Tommy Bradshaw (centre) clocked up a prize, winter 1926
Records show that the "Bradshaw challenge cup" appeared on our fixture list between 1961 and 1964. It is not clear why the cup fell from the calendar, but the trophy resided with the family of the one time Hon. Secretary Bill Reed until being returned to the club in the 2000s. Tommy Bradshaw was a contempory of the three brothers, so it seemed most appropriate to use the cup for this long established race celebrating Sidney and Charlie.
Alan joined the club in the mid 1980s, encouraged by fellow jazz enthusiast Alan Titmuss. For many years he was our "official starter", calling out the marks. Leanne took over the race sponsorship in 2019
Medical student Leanne joined us in 2002. Another protege from coach Norman Jones's production line.
A chilly March morning, 2019
Leanne Ashrafian (nee Harling) was (is?) a very good water polo player, captaining Imperial College and University of London “back in the day”. An excellent club runner (Serpentine Running Club) in 2014 Leanne completed the London Marathon in a fantastic 02:54. Just after first born Persie arrived she clocked a hugely respectable 03:20 - a time she had the temerity to describe as "disappointing".
Leanne made a valiant attempt at the English Channel in 2009, but became unwell and had to come out after 15 hours 58 minutes, only ½ mile off the French coast. In 2014 Leanne swam the length of Lake Zurich and also completed the 24 miles in 24 hours challenge in Guildford Lido.
For much more history on the characters behind the longest race title on the club fixture card, please follow this link to the 2021 report -
A splashing start to the race
Mike and Robin: masters of ceremonies
Simone Piccoli snuck past John Luckhurst to take the honours
Boris claimed third place
4th for Chris Hatcher
Paul and his hat powered through for 5th place
Time to chat, compare notes and marvel at the view of the lake
Winner Simone
With President Rob, and the Hutan clan
No presentation picture of second place John Luckhurst
So here he is - second again in the march to the lakeside shower
Big hug for third placed Boris Mavra
(or was it just a collective sigh of relief for the end of Rob's speech?)
Chris Hatcher 4th
Paul the hat Atherton 5th
Rob Fisher 6th
Lucky 7 for Jan Farmer
Persie at the finish of his swim up and down the Lido, accompanied by mum and Mary
Ariabela opted to collect bird feathers
(Report compiled by Brian Thomas. Photos of the morning provided by Norman Jones. Other images are from the club archives)