Perhaps the handicapper's toughest task of the year - 200m (220 yards) breaststroke for the Clary Reed cup. Anne Mannix stroked to victory, followed by Jamal Saad and Adam Cranfield.
The event remembers Alan Lacy, last of the club's WW2 generation, and Clary Reed, who virtually singlehandedly kept the club going during the war years. Alan's daughters Sue and Jane, with grand daughters Clara and Flora, were present to cheer on the competitors.
Best of breaststrokers
(photo: Anthony Wood)
Alan Lacy sponsored a spring race over 220 yards (200m) for the best part of 60 years. Originally a freestyle event, the opportunity to change this to a breaststroke race arose in 1982. Alan grabbed this with both hands as it meant he would not have to race the stroke he said was "unfathomable". Another fixture card juggle in 2001 meant the Clary Reed cup was happily allocated to Alan's race. Alan had a very close connection with Clary, who invited him to join the club in 1948. Clary was revered within the club as the man who ensured the club's continuing survival during the difficult days of WW2 when many members were away on active and national service and anti-aircraft batteries were positioned in Hyde Park.
Alan was always very keen that Clary's memory and the debt owed him by the club would never be forgotten.
Clary Reed, 1912
Clary was instrumental in keeping the club alive and running during WW2.
A welcome from President Laure for Alan's daughters and granddaughters
(photo: Anthony Wood)
Sue, Jane, Flora and Clara (photo: Jesse Kelly)
Alan Lacy, 1923-2020. Club member for 72 years from 1948 to 2020.
In 1941 aged 17, Alan Lacy lied about his age and volunteered for the RAF. Alan became a member of the "Caterpillar Club", having baled out of a stricken Wellington bomber. As a pilot in a RAF Costal Command Sunderland Alan was involved in the sinking of two U-boats during patrols over the Bay of Biscay.
In 1948, shortly after his demobilisation from the RAF, Alan Lacy joined the club at the invitation of then Hon. Secretary and Handicapper Clary Reed. Alan was a "public Lido" morning swimmer and Clary sought to "volunteer" the young man as a club member. What a great move for Alan and for the club, for which he played a leading role over the next 72 years. Alan served as club President, 1974-77 and again 1998-2001, having the honour to be our Millenium President.
For further background on both Alan and Clary and their big part in the history of the club follow this link to the "Race we Missed" report from April 2021 -
https://serpentineswimmingclub.com/news/51092/alan-lacy-breaststoke-race-for-the-clary-reed-cup
You will also find detail of a press interview with Alan where, amongst other things, he recalls his time in RAF Costal Command. Bravery and humanity hundreds of miles from home in the dangerous Bay of Biscay.
Only one race this morning
(photo: Anthony Wood)
(photo: Anthony Wood)
Thanos and Mike calling the shots (photo: Anthony Wood)
Race underway under a lovely spring sky (photo: Lorraine Jones)
Keen interest from the locals (photo: Anthony Wood)
Busy at the turn (photo: Lorraine Jones)
Anne pushed hard to victory
(photo: Vanessa Marshall)
Glad it's over? (photo: Anthony Wood)
Time to chat and slowly exit the water. Others went back up and down, but maybe not breaststroking (photo: Anthony Wood)
Some younger locals also showed interest (photo: Anthony Wood)
Sunshine and smiles (photo: Norman Jones)
Memories shared by Duff Kelly. Alan Lacy watched on as all three of the Kelly boys grew-up at the Serpentine. (photo: Jesse Kelly)
Second place for Jamal Saad (photo: Norman Jones)
Adam Cranfield 3rd (photo: Norman Jones)
First marathon at 66
London Marathon, 1990.
Alan was an enthusiastic all-round sportsman. Aside from swimming he also played rugby, ice hockey "and even went through a wrestling phase; the only thing lacking was cricket in which he had no interest!". Alan also taught himself to sail, but only after having built a boat in the back garden. In later years Alan turned to running, completing the London marathon in 1990 (aged 66) and went on to run also at least two Seven Sisters marathons (Beachy Head) in the company of Eric Carter, Cyril Wood, John Sextone and other Serpies.
(Report compiled by Brian Thomas. Images provided by Brian and the club's archives, unless credited to individuals)