HISTORY
Note:2009
(This information comes from a recently discovered information leaflet put together to cover the first 25 years of the club, covering 1953 – 1978).
Artist's Impression of GL1 from the cover of the leaflet.
HISTORY
Note:2009
(This information comes from a recently discovered information leaflet put together to cover the first 25 years of the club, covering 1953 – 1978).
Artist's Impression of GL1 from the cover of the leaflet.
The very first recorded mention that the writer has been able to find regarding Gloucester Swimming is a newspaper article dated 4th May, 1910 by E W Jordan (Hon Secretary, Western Counties Amateur Swimming Association) where it is obvious that Swimming had been a favourite sport within the city for a very long time, and on the 21st April of that year a new Baths Superintendant, Mr Frank Tilton, assisted by his son and daughter and members of the city and the Clarence Swimming clubs, treated members of the public to an exhibition of swimming. It would appear that during this period some 500 spectators would attends galas, which was more or less a summer sport.
Swimming apparently continued very successfully through the years with ladies and men going separate ways, Until an extraordinary general meeting was called by the Gloucester Swimming Club on Tuesday 5th May 1953 under the chairmanship of Mr R Rowe who welcomed members of the ladies club. An address by the then Baths Superintendent, Mr Lusher, explained that the ladies swimmers of Gloucester sought more competitive swimming and the advantages of the two clubs amalgamating. It was proposed by Mr N Shelley and seconded by Mr Graham, that the Gloucester City Swimming Club and the Ladies Swimming Club be amalgamated, carried unanimously. Thus the club in its present form was created and with John Phelps, a member of the old club since 1953, and Brian Wells, a member since the inception of the newly formed club, 1955, continuity has been preserved.
As the years ticked by it has been a gratifying feature to note that the ‘Citizen’ has given wide and extensive cover to the sport and the club, and on pursuing old press cuttings it is interesting to note the lowering of times recorded by the swimmers, and the re-occurrence of the same names through the generations over the years. Random quotes of interest show the pace the Gloucester swimming has not slacked. The list of County and Western Champions is far too long for inclusion in an article such as this, but members who have become national champions and internationals are recorded on the honours board at the leisure centre numbering a grand total of 18, 8 of whom gained the double distinction.
Mr Leech, who still retains a very keen and active interest in the Club, was appointed Club Coach 20th January 1956 and has served both the Club and local schools continuously since with a remarkable record in the ‘Life Saving’ world. This record and devoted service maybe matched but it is ventured to suggest never surpassed.
Synonymous with Gloucester and swimming must be the name of Henry Meinike, who is first mentioned in the minutes of the Annual General Meeting, 18th January 1957, as being appointed Hon. Instructor. There is no point in recording the work that Henry has put into the Club, or the respect that he has earned, only his swimmers are qualified to discuss the man and the coach. Supporting Henry is Mike Phelps who through some special quality has produced swimmers of quality and stamina that progress through to Henry, no mean feat when considers the quality demanded at the level of swimming found in Gloucester, and the very tender age of some of the athletes. When at any gala where Mike if officiating, it is fascinating to see the younger swimmers following his every move and hanging onto the words of wisdom, praise and sympathy that is his hallmark.
This Silver Jubilee year of Gloucester City Swimming Club was enhanced by representative honours to several swimmers culminating in Heidi Turk representing her Country, in the Commonwealth games in Canada and the World Games, Berlin, Germany. The success of the club has been due to the many hundreds of swimmers and parents who have supported the dozens of instructors and coaches who have contributed many thousands of hours of voluntary work on the poolside through the years. To mention some and omit others would be grossly unfair but the activity that can be seen at the leisure centre throughout each week of the year from these dedicated persons has been continuous since the formation of the club.