A grey, but thankfully dry morning saw Lucy Harris present the Peter Pan cup.
A large field of 81 competitors "enjoyed" the 7c water. They were cheered on by a huge crowd lining the water's edge, and the grass banks behind, who marvelled as new mum Poppy Lenton showed everyone just how to do it.
Poppy Lund, our 2024 Peter Pan
This is Poppy's tenth year with the club
President Rob Ouldcott gave his last speech of 2024
A quick potted 160 years of history
Rob welcomed competitors, fellow members, friends and families and all of the morning's visitors. He did his best to explain the Serpentine club race handicap system.
He did his very best, but most remained confused .... including Rob.
Mr President spoke of the club's Christmas Day race, first swum in 1864 and of how in the earlier years a medal was awarded to the winner. The James Barrie and Peter Pan connection dates from 1903, just before his play first graced the London stage. Though not a participant, James Barrie had friends and associates within the club and was a regular early morning walker in Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens. Barrie presented a Peter Pan cup for the winner up until 1932, when he moved back to Scotland to complete his retirement.
Since 1932 Albert Greenbury and his descendents have presented the Peter Pan cup each year. Albert joined the club with his two brothers in 1909 and was President from 1935 to 1955. More than a dozen of the Greenbury family joined us this morning, including race contestant Lucy Newton.
Flattering words from Rob
Albert's granddaughter Lucy has been a year-round racing member of the club for the past ten years. Today she stepped up and presented the 2024 Peter Pan cup on behalf of the Greenbury family - of whom a dozen of so were present. Prior to taking the plunge and joining our racing ranks Lucy had been an annual spectator on Christmas morning, first attending as a babe in arms in the late 1960s.
Lucy has been swimming in our races since 2014
2021 - Lucy's first silverware. The Sid Levy cup, presented by the Adams family. Definitely not a winter race.
The Serpentine Swimming Club's Christmas morning handicap is swum over a 100 yard course for the Peter Pan Cup. The club's Christmas Day swim has been held every year since 1864. In the early years it was customary for the winner to be presented with a medal. Author J M Barrie became associated with the Christmas Day race in 1903 when he presented a gold medal to the winner. The following year Barrie presented the Peter Pan cup, which coincided with the play Peter Pan's debut on the London stage.
Barrie's connection with the club is not clear, but it is thought one of our members was a theatre impresario who was an associate of the author. We do know that Barrie lived close by and had an affection for walking in Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park. Sir James Barrie (he was appointed a baronett in 1913 by King George V) continued to present a cup for the winner each year up to 1932. The honour then fell to Albert Greenbury, a dedicated member since 1909 who served as club president from 1935 to 1955. To this day the Greenbury family continue the tradition.
Sir James Barrie, 1860 - 1937
On the rare occasions when ice has prevented the race from going ahead on Christmas morning, the Peter Pan cup has been swum on the first available Saturday once the ice has cleared. Normally this means a race in January, though in 1981 the ice lingered and the race was eventually swum on 27 February 1982. Covid restrictions meant the club could not hold the Christmas race in 2020. However, we were allowed to swim "socially distanced" and many members swam the traditional 100 yard course - each undertaking their own personal Christmas Day race. So in fact the club's 157th Christmas Day swim did take place. Thus in 2024 we celebrate our 160th anniversary and our 161st Christmas Day race (head scratching is permitted).
Albert Greenbury presented the Peter Pan cup after Sir James Barrie stepped down in 1932
Peter Pan cup race, 1913. X marks a young Albert amongst the finishers.
Eighty-one competitors joined the race
(photo: Rachel Soper)
Finished, and time to celebrate.
(photo: Rachel Soper)
The Serpentine Neverland's lost boys (and girls) found
A one hundred yard hard slog (photo: Rachel Soper)
Lala's toast to the crowd
(photo: Rachel Soper)
An lazy exit for club champion Katie Irvine
(photo: Rachel Soper)
Santa's little helpers were on hand to provide much appreciated mulled wine, biscuits and mine pies
The long walk back
Stu Bowman declined publicity and asked to remain anonymous (photo: Lorraine Jones)
Katie, mince pie in mouth, determined not to put a foot wrong
“Though she be but little, she is fierce.”
Mr and Mrs Lucy, with the latest Greenbury addition (photo: Lorraine Jones)
Christmas friends of good cheer (photo: Lorraine Jones)
More good cheer from Lala and Illyan (photo: Lorraine Jones)
Proud mum
Matt and Poppy Lund were joined by Freyer last summer. Matt did not swim - some feeble excuse involving cruciate ligaments and crutches!
Second place for John Luckhurst
Stanley Ulijaszek third
John Tierney fourth
A show of appreciation from the club
Piper Lachlan has graced us on Christmas morning since the mid 2000s
Last but not least, a massive thank you to all club members on the shore who worked so hard to make the morning such a success
Our quiet superstars (photo: Andrea Greene)
(Report compiled by Brian Thomas. Images provided by Brian and the club's archives, unless credited to individuals)