The winning team of Stanley Ulijaszek, Natasha Wake, Deirdre Ward and Tony Schiemann took home the tankards.
In October 1930 club member Paul Bridgeman 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.
A talented line up took home the prized Bridgeman tankards, presented by Dinknesh Gobena.
Stanley Ulijaszek, Natasha Wake, Deirdre Ward and Tony Schiemann - top team. Plus Brian and Dinknesh. Dinknesh was the long term friend and carer for Paul's son Gerald and his wife Rosie. (photo: Norman Jones)
President Laure Latham was away preparing for a big swim
Past president Brian Thomas stood in (photo: Norman Jones)
Prior to the presentation some sad news was shared. We have only just discovered that a great Serpentine character had passed away on 17 January. Ian joined the club in 1996 and soon found ready companionship with fellow larger-than-life characters.
During his long career as a film producer/director Ian covered a wide range of projects, from examining the motivation behind 1980s organised football hooligan groups to filming inside war zones. One such subject involved Ian travelling solo far into the Sri Lankan jungle to interview the Tamil Tigers, including their "black tigers" suicide commandos. He travelled and filmed solo as his small accompanying BBC team had received instructions from London that it was too dangerous to continue further.
For an idea of Ian's wide range of film and documentary output please follow this link -
Millennium Paul Bridgeman team race victors - Ian (left) with Bill Phipps, Eric Carter and Cyril Wood
2004, winner of the Bill Maggs cup. Looks like Ian's prize took a tumble?
Nine team of four swimmers competed over three heats for the prize of swimming again in the final
Change over at the 50m buoys
Talking tactics
Keenly contested teamwork
A lonely spectator
Last leg
Deirdre Ward stretches for home and victory in the final race
Tales from the past recited each year
They still amaze.
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 damaged 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.
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 club member Paul Bridgeman 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
Our historic club table, still in use today.
A young Gerald Bridgeman, Paul's son, presented the trophies whilst standing on the table we still use today for prizegiving; circa 1935.
"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."
Gerald and Rosie Bridgeman with the 2006 tankard winners
Gerald 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.
The traditional three cheers
(Report compiled by Brian Thomas. Images provided by Brian and the club's archives, unless credited to individuals)