History and memories shared - history of the Bridge to Bridge; memories of Sir Anthony Cleaver; plus tales of Jenny who introduced him to the club.
And a big-birthday big-surprise for Norman Jones.
Mary Gilbert, winner of our summer blue ribbon event
"Auntie Mary" to many of our younger Saturday morning regulars
Today's race was especially poignant as it was the first since the death of Sir Anthony Cleaver, who along with wife Jenny had sponsored the race since 2003. The club raced the length of the lake in his memory.
Fifty-five club members swam in the race.
The coveted Dave Milne cup
Mary's own take on the trophy
Club members pose for the camera on the Dell bridge, 1931
Since its inception in the mid 19th century the race has always been billed as 1000 yards. That said, we now start nearly 15 yards from the Dell Bridge and finish at the chain about 15 yards short of Rennes Bridge. Taking account of these deductions the distance could be better described as 970 yards (887m). Mind you, with all the zig zagging around the moored rowing boats, let alone fiesty swans, geese, ducks and coots the club can still claim a "1000 yard long" blue ribbon.
In the early years of the club a non-handicapped Bridge to Bridge race was used to decide the club Captain. Harry Coulter was the first such race winner and thus club Captain from 1864 until the spell was broken in 1869 when T Morris successfully won the race and captaincy. Coulter's 1864 winning time was 20 minutes and 10 seconds. Harry Coulter was a swimmer of national standard, having come second to the great Harry Gurr in a "Champion of England race".
Jenny joined the club in 1991. Though she never raced, she certainly impressed with her serene and effortless glide through the water. Her graceful secret .... flippers. Jennie's family have a long association with the club stretching back at least to the 1940s. Club member Bill Maggs, in whose memory we still race each March, was butler to her grandmother's household.
2003 - Anthony and Jenny's first year of sponsorship. First home, Edward Leigh.
Anthony met Jennie in the late 1990s and joined the club "by instruction" - he wasn't given a choice. Anthony was famous within the club for his exceptionally strong side stroke, much in the mould of Captain Matthew Webb, who in 1875 became the first person to successfully swim across the English Channel. This skill served him well on 21 September 2010 when he was part of the "Serpentine Veterans" relay team. The other team members were Matthew Morony, David Mackertich, Geoff Ransom, George Cselko, Robin Hunter, and Alan Mitchell.
For a report on the 2010 relay, follow this link
https://serpentineswimmingclub.com/news/50075/another-channel-crossing-for-the-ssc
Lambeth born Anthony spent a career in engineering and was knighted in 1992. Past president Robin Hunter gave an outline of Sir Anthony's hugely successful and inventive career and his contribution to the many commerical and public bodies that he chaired (IBM UK, Engineering UK, Royal College of Music, to name but a few). We can thus claim him as our very own "local boy made good" (even if he did hail originally from just south of the river!).
Despite these "highs" Anthony still described himself as simply "a systems engineer".
Sir Anthony served as our Hon. Treasurer from 2009 to 2013 and was a club vice president.
Robin had done his research
A potted history of Anthony and his achievements, including his part in the 2010 "Serpentine Veterans" Channel relay of which Robin was a team member.
Andrew Wilson added tributes and memories
During Andrew's time at IBM Anthony Cleaver was his ultimate boss. Andrew is also a good friend of the Cleaver family.
Neighbour Nick Hungerford spoke warmly of Lady Cleaver (Jenny) who was not able to join us this morning.
James Cleaver spoke of his father's love of the Serpentine
A race from the Dell bridge to John Rennie's Serpentine bridge dates back to the mid 19th century. After the Great War the race commemorated club members who had fallen,
From 1935 Mrs G Varley, widow of Gilbert Varley presented the prizes. Gilbert was club President 1926 - 1933. The Varley family continued to sponsor the race until club Handicapper Dave Milne donated the current cup in 1959.
Anthony and Jenny Cleaver took over sponsorship of the race following Dave Milne's passing in 2003.
1989 - today's birthday boy Norman received the cup from Dave Milne
For lots more history and background on the race that dates back to the origins of the club, please follow this link to the 2021 report.
https://serpentineswimmingclub.com/news/51116/bridge-to-bridge-race-2021
The course awaits
(photo: Laure Latham)
Checking their marks (photo: Laure Latham)
Twenty seconds after the handicap clock started Nancy got the race underway
(photo: Norman Jones)
Nancy stretching out (photo: Norman Jones)
Watching, waiting, judging
(photo: Lorraine Jones)
Mary Gilbert, jubilant victor
(photo: Lorraine Jones)
Time to exit
(photo: Lorraine Jones)
"Everybody out"
Still jubilant
Nick Codling came home second
Jaime De Villota in third place
Victoria Rock, a smiling fourth
Charlotte Hallward a happy fifth
Applause for Andrew on his sixth place
After the prizes were presented President Laure called forth Norman Jones
One day into his term as an octogenarian
Unbeknown to Norman, Lorraine had arranged a surprise rather large family gathering of the Jones clan
Having watched the race from a hidden spot, they emerged to congratulate Norman
2004, Norman's third Bridge to Bridge win. Three day old granddaughter Isabelle fitted neatly into the cup.
Sir Anthony Cleaver, 1938 - 2025
A great friend to all who swam with him
(Report compiled by Brian Thomas. Images provided by Brian and the club's archives, unless credited to individuals)