First Serpentine silverware for Liz Thody.
The morning's race and cup celebrates Jock Fee and his Royal Parks work colleague and fellow club member Peter Saunders.
Jock was the third and last Serpentine Lido Superintendent. The others being Sid Richardson and Ted Stoter, who was appointed when the Lansbury Lido opened in 1930. The Lido Superintendent was a direct employee of the Royal Parks. The post lapsed when operation of the Lido became a commercial franchise in1983.
First Serpentine silverware for Liz Thody
A worthy win, following Liz's second place last week.
Vanessa Marshall and Chris Hatcher are the new sponsors for the Jock Fee cup. Chris became a member in 1980 and knew well both Jock Fee and Peter Saunders. Vanessa and Chris have been best buddies since 2004. She joined the club in 2014, shortly after Chris re-started swimming with us after a long lay off. (photo: James Norton)
President Laure spoke of the history behind the cup and welcomed the new sponsors of the race, Chris and Vanessa.
(photo: Vanessa Marshall)
Tastefully presented very tasty prizes
(photo: Vanessa Marshall)
Jock Fee, Lido Superintendent 1967 - 1982.
A hot summer Sunday, early 1980s. Taking the temperature - an important task, morning and afternoon.
Jock, a wee, tough Glaswegian on the outside but with the softest and grandest heart of gold on the inside. He would brook no nonsense from anyone during the summer bathing season, ensuring the public could safely and happily enjoy the magnificent facility that is the Serpentine Lido.
After our winter races we would be met by Jock with a tray of hot drinks, usually Bovril unless you had the temerity and the nerve to ask for tea or coffee. During weekdays swimmers would also be met with their favourite hot beverage and be regaled by Jock with the latest gossip. In the winter season, when we had what is now almost half the restaurant area as our changing room Jock had his "private" room-come-kitchen at the back of the pavilion Here you might find a police officer with a cup of tea hiding away from superiors whilst mugging up for sergeants exams or perhaps one or two Royal Parks gardeners and litter pickers stopping by for tea and biscuits. Jock would often have Polish Stan Zoladz in this inner sanctum over tea and a cream cake. Stan's wife worked at the Harrods' gateaux counter and in those days at shop closing staff were allowed to take surplus cakes home.
Jock reached the then retirement age of 65 in 1982. Seemingly still full of zest and in robust health, Jock continued to join us every morning. Unbeknown to many, Jock did suffer from circulation problems and he died at home of a heart attack on 7 November 1983, aged 66. Jock's ashes, like those of the original Lido Superintendent Ted Stoter, were scattered in the rose garden by the original entrance to the Lido, at the rear of the pavilion.
Jock Fee was assistant at the Lido to Sid Richardson from the late 50s/early 60s and became Lido Superintendent in 1967 when Sid retired
Jock won the 1972 Veterans' cup. Over 50s in those days; now it is over 60s - the expanding Peter Pan factor?
Peter worked to Jock at the Lido for well over a dozen years. He remained a dedicated club member into his 80s
1988, Peter with compulsory Serpentine cake. Some early morning post swim rituals are eternal.
Jock Fee, Peter Saunders and Sid Richardson were active club members.
Seen here on Christmas morning, 1962.
After Jock's death in Autumn 1983 a race and cup in his memory was introduced the following year, sponsored by his friend and work colleague Peter Saunders. When Peter died in 2009 the race was formally titled on the fixture card as "The Peter Saunders race for the Jock Fee cup".
Ted Stoter, the original Superintendent of the Serpentine.
Ex Royal Marine Ted Stoter being given a hard time by a Lido customer
Appointed when the Lansbury Lido opened in 1930, ex Royal Marine Ted was later awarded the OBE for services to his beloved Hyde Park and the Lido.
For an in-depth look at the Superintendents of the Serpentine Lido and Jock and Peter's history with the club please follow this link to the 2021 web report. There is also quite a bit about the immediate past sponsors of the Jock Fee cup - the Cselko family.
https://serpentineswimmingclub.com/news/51105/2021-jock-fee-cup
New sponsor Chris Hatcher ready to test the waters before the race
First away Rachael Bayley awaits the countdown from Robin
Another early starter Paul Atherton stretching himself ready
Race over, Vanessa took to the waters with Kiwi
(photo: Chris Hatcher)
A very happy first win for Liz
Role reversal
Last Saturday Liz was runner up to Rachael Bayley. This Saturday, Rachael was runner up to Liz.
Jamal Saad 3rd
4th place Stuart
Please be reassured that Kiwi's inoculations are all up to date and that Stuart posed no danger whatsoever.
1980s prize winner
Chris Hatcher was part of the winning quartet in the Enfield Team Race, an event no longer on the calendar. Sponsored by Bill and Joan Harman, the handicapped race was swum over 440 yards with teams of four gaining points depending on placings.
Bill Harman was assistant handicapper for many years from the 1960s onwards. His wife Joan would swim, winter and summer, before the race and then help Bill. She was renowned for her flasks of milky coffee, an appreciated alternative to those who did not quite appreciate Jock Fee's "compulsory" post race Bovril.
It was Joan who designed the club crest, currently to be seen on the club baseball caps.
They travelled in from Enfield to the Serpentine, hence "the Enfield Team Race".
1986, Chris with Radford Mile winner Jeremy Hunter. Jeremy and Ingrid are to be thanked for production of the club caps, which use Joan Harman's crest design.
Vanessa is not shy when it comes to claiming silverware
Vanessa, dressed as a penguin, won the 2021 All Clothes Race. Trophy presented by Brian, standing in for President Alan Mitchell.
Vanessa the 2021 All Clothes Race penguin
But which one is Miss Marshall?
(Report compiled by Brian Thomas. Images provided by Brian and the club's archives, unless credited to individuals)