We swam an 800m race in memory of a real gentleman and true friend to many longer-term members. The race prizes were provided by Jon and Laura Tomlinson, whose friendship "blossomed" at the club in 2005 during Roy's presidency and retain a close affection for President Wrey. Jon was unable to join us (on duty with the teenagers' Saturday commitment) but Laure was present to share late 20th century club tales.
A proud first place for James Lythe
Though the Lido did not open to the public the new protocol agreed with The Royal Parks allowed us to race
Murky waters
To swim was not compulsory, though there was a bit of head and chin scratching as the handicap clock ticked (photo: Norman Jones)
Roy Wrey joined the club in the mid 1950s
1957, Roy first on the left.
Roy Wrey, 2003
Many club members will empathise with Roy's 2003 equipment malfunction. (Note: the photo is from the Titmuss archive, unattributed. It was most probably taken by Andrew Buurman, prize winning photographer and previous club member)
Roy Wrey was Vice Captain 1965-70 and President 2004-06.
Christmas morning 2005, with Peter Pan cup winner Geoff Ransom
Roy was present when up and coming comedian Roy Hudd paid us a visit in 1968
Roy Wrey, fifth from the right.
Sadly Roy died in 2006, whilst still serving as club President.
Past president Norman Jones stood in for Laure Latham who was away preparing for "big things"
Tales from the past and the story of how Laure and Jon's relationship blossomed on cold and frosty early Serpentine mornings
Miss Laura Moffatt joined the club in 1999. She has a lovely speaking voice, as befits a vicar's daughter. In the early 2000s when spending an extended stay in Texas Laura featured on a local radio station reading out the names in the entire telephone directory of the small west Texas town of Marfa. She was a great hit. Incidentally, though Marfa has a population of 1,981 the reading was, we believe, riviting.
Maybe one Saturday morning we could persuade Laura to complete a similar feat by reading out, if not the club's full roll of members (we would probably still be there at midday) then the full handicap list of the morning's race.
At the turn of new millenium Laura's love for the club was confirmed to us when she arrived for a Saturday morning swim straight from Gatwick airport after an overnight trans-Atlantic flight, large suitcase in tow and swimming costume at the ready.
Family commitments mean Laura and Jon cannot join us every Saturday, but we always look forward to their annual celebration of Roy Wrey, the peresident when the lake drew them together.
Laura spoke of the days when women racers were few and far between
Jonathon Tomlinson joined the club in 2005, six years after the then Laura Moffatt had begun brightening our mornings. After a year or so some of us did notice the growing bond between the two, for instance seeing how Laura would be ready with a lakeside cup of coffee for Jon after a winter competition heat. We mere mortals had to trudge back to the changing room to make our own! They married in 2009.
Aside from swimming, GP Jon is a very keen photographer and would often “snap away” with his vintage Leica when lakeside. He is also a very dedicated cyclist, with many bumps, scrapes and bruises to show for it. In fact Rosie George nicknamed him "Tooth" after one in the front went missing following yet another tumble!
As Jon was absent, here he is with Laura and family and the 2014 winner John Reid
First swimmers away as the locals lined the bank
Something to do with wind direction?
Mike Barron in control, assisted by the club's new "boom box"
A literary theme to the prizes
Background to the Roy Wrey Race, the club's very own tongue twister
Norman and Laura spoke from the heart (photo: Robert Fisher)
Three past presidents listened with intent
Mike Olizar (1989 - 92), Eric Carter (Roy's successor) and Brian Thomas (Roy's predecessor) (photo: Rob Fisher)
James Lythe had first pick
Paul Daniels second
David Gourgy third
Brian Thomas fourth
Nicola Sanderson fifth
John Craske sixth
We also gave a big cheer for Luke Belfield on his English Channel solo success
8 July, 16 hours 46 minutes. Luke was raising funds for juvenile arthritis. He is the first person to swim the Channel with this condition.
(Report compiled by Brian Thomas. Images provided by Brian and the club's archives, unless credited to individuals)