One morning, two races (for some).
Chris Hatcher had the privilege of winning the race honouring a Serpentine all time great. A happy morning with fifteen Titmuss family members and friends joining us.
The main event was preceded by the Veterans' race for the Brew Brothers cup. Ruta Skatikaite won her first ever silverware.
Chris Hatcher was a popular winner of the Alan Titmuss cup. It was Alan who introduced Chris to the club in 1980 when they worked together at the Hillingdon Council architecture department.
As per previous years, we had a blue and white hooped theme from the many west and north west London club members who share Alan's affection for Queens Park Rangers Football Club. Another happy connection - Chris was instumental is Alan becoming a season ticket holder.
A very happy Hatcher
(photo: Nick Hungerford)
Ruta also had a delightful morning - her first silverware after fourteen years with the club
(photo: Sophia Holder)
Always a big turnout from the Tittmuss clan
Four generations (photo: Norman Jones)
Alan Titmuss graced our club from 1950 to 2009. He joined aged thirteen and developed into a true giant of the Serpentine
Those who knew Alan will not just remember him as the life and soul of the club, but also its driving motor and energy. (photo: April 1990).
Alan became a member of the Serpentine Swimming Club in 1950 aged 13 having been introduced to the club by his uncle, Sid Baker.
On leaving school Alan was apprenticed as a bookbinder. When called up for National Service he was advised by a club members who had served in the forces to opt for the Royal Marines “rather than spend two years square bashing and peeling spuds in some anomomous unit”. Alan thoroughly relished his time as a marine.
After leaving the Royal Marines Alan worked in local authority building departments and studied his way part-time to become a fully qualified architect and a member of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).
Alan took on the role of club Secretary and Treasurer in 1964, on the retirement of Bill Reed. He served as President from 1986 to 1989 and also performed the role of Hon. Handicapper during the mid-2000s.
The morning got underway with the over sixties' 100m dash
(photo: Lorraine Jones)
Young at heart (photo: Lorraine Jones)
Second across the line, but a handicapper's first. Tira Shubart did not have a handicap, so could not be counted. She won her own personal race so achieved satisfaction.
Keep going to the line (photo: Lorraine Jones)
Brew Brothers presented this magnificent trophy in 1935
Past president Brian stepped up to speak of the long history behind the Serpentine veterans' races. (photo: Norman Jones)
The Brew Brothers operated a car showroom in the Old Brompton Road and presented the current Serpentine SC Veterans' cup in 1935. They continued to have a close connection with the club for many decades. In the 1970s we used their showroom floor for our AGMs. Members were somewhat distracted from the deep discussion and debate on club matters by the presence of high-end vintage, classic and modern luxury motors that we could but dream of driving one day.
We still race each year for the Brew Bros. cup, even though there is no longer a family connection. Until 2018 members had to be over 50 to qualify as a vet. That changed in 2019 when the qualifying age was raised to 60 at the suggestion of the then committee member and now immediate past President Rob Ouldcott.
The 1924 Veterans' race
One hundred and two years ago. When men were men, and most veterans actually looked like veterans.
Vets' race over, time to gather for the main event.
End of board contemplation from eventual winner Chris Hatcher
Jesse Kelly last away (photo: Nick Hungerford)
For Chris, a significant and memorable victory.
Chris and Alan were great friends across three decades
The following crowd
Time to chat
Kiwi also made an appearance
(photo: Nick Hungerford)
All ears on Hon. Treasurer Victoria Rock's speech, standing in for President Laure. (photo: Norman Jones)
Julie Lebkiri 2nd
John Craske 3rd
Nick Codling 4th
Linda Luckhurst 5th
Blue Ribbon success in five of his six decades with the club
1963 Peter Pan cup - the 100th race. Due to ice on Christmas morning the race took place on 4 January 1964.
Alan had a good record on Christmas mornings. He was second in his first race in 1950, then won the 1963, 1978, 1989 and 1999 races. Alan thus won a Peter Pan cup in four of his six decades with the club.
Though not a Peter Pan victor in the new millenium, Alan did win the Bridge to Bridge race in 2006. We can thus confidently say he won a "Blue Ribbon" race in five of his six decades swimming at the Serpentine. Quite an achievement.
Other than swimming in our lake, Alan competed in judo and was also a swim coach in the 1960s. Alan learnt to ski in the Royal Marines and retained his love of slopes, convincing many club members to take up the sport and join him on Alpine breaks.
Alan followed Arsenal in his early years, going to Highbury with his uncle and father in the late 1940s and early 1950s. In later life he became a season ticket holder at Queens Park Rangers, being "converted" by friend and work colleague Chris Hatcher, who Alan had introduced to the club. For Alan, following the Arsenal was relegated to an armchair distraction. Alan held his first season ticket at Loftus Road in 1981 and was a regular across three decades.
Alan was instrumental in arranging many of the club's 1964 Centenary celebrations
Victorian costume race. Alan second from the left.
Those who knew Alan will not just remember him as the life and soul of the club, but also its driving motor and energy. You name it he was involved in it.
In the early 1980s, and again in the 1990s, when swimming in the Serpentine was threatened with closure due to budget pressures on The Royal Parks (the Health and Safety angle was always a red herring and an easy diversion) it was Alan that led the campaign and went on prime time national television (Nationwide) to be interviewed.
Publicity photoshoot for the 1982 campaign
Alan Titmuss, 1936 - 2006
An ex Royal Marine, Alan never lost his military swagger. (photo: Jonathon Tomlinson, mid 2000s)
(Report compiled by Brian Thomas. Images provided by Brian and the club's archives, unless credited to