Founded in 1860, Brighton Swimming Club is England's oldest continuously formed Swimming Club.
An article written many years ago by club member Keith Marlton is reproduced below giving an insight into a bygone era. In 2011 the "Floating memories" website was set up with the help of Lottery heritage funding and is administered by club member Paul Farrington. It is a remarkable collection of pictures, documents, videos and other general items detailing a great deal of the day to day history of the club.
Note: The above were printed in SWIMMING Times, January 2002 Issue.
Picture of 18 members of Brighton SC in the early days, and a quote from The Swimming Times
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Those who comprised a small
band of swimming enthusiasts and bathed from the beach near the Lion
Mansions Hotel in 1858 and
the following year, could have had no idea that their suggestions for
the establishment of a Swimming Club would have resulted in the
foundation of one, which, now has the proud distinction of being the
oldest in the Kingdom. Energetic though they were, it was not until the 4th
May, 1860, that their idea took practical form. On that date, at a
meeting held at the Jolly Fisherman’s Inn in Market Street, the Club was
inaugurated. The worthy gentlemen present were G. Brown, J. H. Camp, C.
Hindley, J. Nyren, W. Patching, R. Ward, and G. Worsley. The last named
lived to witness the Club’s Jubilee Gala, but died in the following
year.
That these gentlemen were
modest in their demands must be admitted when it is realised that the entrance
fee was fixed at 1s.0d., and the subscription, 2d. weekly. Since the number of members in
the first year was 13, and there was no accommodation for undressing, it
might have been expected that the Club would have died in its infancy,
but the founders were made of too stern a stuff for unlucky numbers or
exposure to deter them. Indeed, if Committee meetings form any
criterion, their enthusiasm must have been remarkable, for no less than
31 were held during 1860.
The first organised
entertainment on the beach was held on the 18th July, 1861. It is highly
improbable that present members would compete at galas commencing at 6
a.m., and certainly the public would not be eager to attend, but the
records show that it was otherwise in 1861 and subsequent years when,
not withstanding the early hour, entries were numerous and the sport, it
is said, afforded pleasure to large numbers. The reason for these early
hours was that the town’s byelaws only permitted bathing without the use
of bathing machines from certain beaches between the hours of 6 a.m. and
8 a.m. The restriction will be easily understood when it is known that
it was customary to bathe in the nude, although it is not, of course,
suggested that the Club members appeared naked when performing before an
audience.
In 1862 the first concession
to comfort was made when the Committee purchased a small shed for
undressing. This was placed on the beach near the eastern boundary of
the present Aquarium. On the 2nd May in that year, F. Cavill (father of
the former English champion), a good swimmer, was elected a member. He
remained with the Club some years and made several attempts to swim the
Channel.
Judging from the debates about
improving the Club’s premises that go on today, the shed must have
figured largely at the Committee meetings in 1863, for in that year, so
much had the membership grown, it was enlarged, and still later two
railway carriages were added. This is no indication that members were
becoming soft for a feature of the races of that time was the long
distance, frequently 1,000 yards and over, seldom less than 500, except
for juveniles. The prizes generally consisted of small sums of money
such as first 3s. 0d., second 2s. 0d., third 1s. 0d., although on
occasions due to the generosity of local benefactors a barrel of
oysters, a pound of tea, a prime York ham, and even a pair of trousers
made the whole thing rather more worth while, although all this would
now be contrary to A.S.A. Laws. The officials were paid 2s. 6d. for
their services.
1863 also saw the subscription
raised to 10s. 6d. for seniors and 5s. 0d. for juniors, remaining so for
23 years, and at the close of that year, the membership had increased to
59. The Club continued to flourish, and the popularity of its
entertainments increased until the end of 1870 when, what then seemed
like disaster struck, for in consequence of the erection of the Aquarium
and the extension of the old road, now Madeira Drive, the bathing sheds
had to go. Even the fact that the new Aquarium purchased them from the
Club cannot have been much compensation, for, deprived of bathing
facilities, members drifted away, and had it not been for stalwarts like
L. R, Styer, the whole thing might have come to an end, and it is highly
probable that resuscitation would never have taken place but for the
energy of Henry Martin, junior (son of a former Mayor of Brighton), who
had been elected honorary secretary in 1871. The interest he displayed
during his eight years in office was remarkable and it was almost solely
due to him that in 1872 the Club was able to move into new quarters in
one of the arches below the new promenade to the east of the present
Palace Pier. The fact that this arch later became known as the "Hole in
The Wall" in no way detracts from his efforts.
L.R. Styer, President 1880
to 1931.
Present day members owe
much to him as if it had
not been for his efforts
and the few people like him
in1870 there might be no
club today.
Also in 1872 the Club assumed
the title of " The Brighton Aquarium Swimming Club " but reverted to its
original name the following year. Henry Martin not only worked well in
swimming affairs, but during the winter months, organised billiard
handicap matches, smoking concerts and other entertainments in the Club
Arch. Subsequently he had the distinction of being elected
Vice-President of the Swimming Association of Great Britain, now the
Amateur Swimming Association.
The year 1875 ended sadly for
the Club due to the death of Captain John Henry Camp on the 28th
December. Captain Camp was one of the founders of the Club and a
well-known Brighton celebrity. Although his left leg had been amputated,
he was a fair swimmer and always appeared happier in the water than on
land. He was the first Chairman of the Club and afterwards became
Swimming Instructor and Steward. Not only did many owe their knowledge
of swimming to him, but also their lives. The motto which appeared in
his advertisements was " I dare the waves a life to save," a precept to
which he well conformed for he saved no less than twenty lives during
his association with the Club. It is nice to recall that his efforts
were not unappreciated, for in his later days when his means became
rather straitened owing to a long illness, members rallied round him to
give practical help. In the Extra-Mural cemetery may still be seen a
memorial which reads " This tombstone was erected by the Brighton
Swimming Club to the memory of their old Steward, John Henry Camp, the
celebrated one-legged swimmer, Born July 26th, 1826, Died at Brighton,
December 28th, 1875, aged 49 years. . . . ‘ I dare the waves a life to
save.’ "
In the same year the Club
assisted to a small extent in the formation of the Portsmouth Swimming
Club and afterwards many contests were held in the towns, alternately,
which normally resulted in equal honours. An innovation at this time was
the introduction of the title of "Captain" for the leader of the Club,
and the first man to hold it was George Harding, an excellent all-round
swimmer who in the same year won the Club Championship with the title of
Captain which he held during the following four years. This was no mean
achievement, for by now membership had risen to 115.
The annual
festivals had always been a source of much pleasure to the
members and public, but those in 1877 and later years were particularly
attractive as they were held at the Swiss Gardens, Shoreham, when that
resort was at the height of its popularity. On these occasions, not only
did the Club hold Swimming Galas, but also provided other sports and, in
addition, " alfresco " concerts. Subsequent festivals were held at
Sheffield Park, Tunbridge Wells, and Hastings. A somewhat remarkable
event for the period under review took place in May 1878, when six
members of the London Swimming Club (long since disbanded) walked from
London to Brighton in under 12 hours. They were met at Patcham by the
Brighton Club and on their arrival were entertained by C. J. Harris, the
President, and afterwards, with the members, swam in Hobden’s Baths
which were on the site of the Grand Hotel Ballroom. This Club was an old
friend of the Brighton Club having paid a visit on the occasion of one
of the 1861 entertainments.
In 1880 on the retirement of
C. J. Harris, L. R. Styer, who had so staunchly hung on when the shed
was demolished, was elected President, an office which he held until his
death in 1931. The interests of the Club were always his first
consideration and the Club is under a deep debt of gratitude to him for
his kindly assistance during so many years. He was also the means of
stimulating interest in swimming amongst ladies, and to him and his
family may be fairly attributed the great increase in the art amongst
that sex, and for the promotion of the Brighton Ladies’ Swimming Club.
John Hawgood was elected a
member and became the Club Champion in 1883 and secretary in 1886. Like
Henry Martin, he did his utmost for the Club and was always at home in
the water, particularly so when he gave a tea party, which necessitated
his leaving the dressing room carrying the tea things on a large tray
and swimming to a raft some distance away. It was his proud boast that
he had always successfully carried the tray and contents safely to the
raft no matter the state of the sea. In 1886, whilst secretary, it was
he who caused the subscription to be reduced to 5s. 0d. Hawgood’s wisdom
was shown in the following year when he obtained a record in new
members, no less than 109 being elected. This record was in 1888
followed by another when he organised a monster festival from the beach
outside the Club Arch, this was patronised by the public in very large
numbers.
Towards the end of 1893 on the
initiative of three Sussex clubs, a meeting was held at Eastbourne to
consider the advisability of forming a Water Polo Association. L. R.
Styer, J. Hawgood, and L. Meaden represented Brighton and the
discussions resulted in the formation of The Sussex County Water Polo
Association, which has since done much to encourage and improve this
sport. The Brighton Swimming Club has had the honour of winning both
Senior and Junior County Shields on several occasions. The Association
later amalgamated with the Sussex County Amateur Swimming Association.
In 1893, no less than 10
entertainments were promoted and at the Annual Fete off the West Pier,
there was a record entry of 194 from twenty different clubs. The
contests for the ‘Loder" and "Welling" cups were also instituted and the
Club established a record up to that period, in the number of
certificates and medals awarded to members by the Royal Life Saving
Society.
The Club had travelled far
since those early days but maturity was inevitably bringing its losses
for in the same year three of the older members died, C. Hindley (the
first treasurer and secretary), T. Taylor, and George Brown, the last
was one of the founders and a member until his death. In the early days
he competed in many races, and although not a fast swimmer, he
thoroughly enjoyed the entertainments and was noted for the somersaults
he performed in the water using hand and foot blades.
For many years it was felt by
the Brighton Club that it would be a great benefit if the control of
swimming in the County could be managed by Sussex clubs. The Club was
instrumental, after considerable effort and many visits by the delegates
to the Southern Council and the Executive in London, in arranging a
meeting which was held at Brighton on the 26th January, 1895, and
attended by representatives from the Southern Executive and each club in
Sussex, with the result that the Sussex Local Centre was firmly
established in Brighton. The efforts of the Club have been well rewarded
by the popularity of the centre, which later became the Sussex County
Amateur Swimming Association, and the great improvement in the County in
the government of swimming. The compliment was paid the Club in electing
L. R. Styer as President for the first two years. Also L. Meaden became
the first secretary and subsequently President, an honour which has
since been accorded to A. St. J. Styer (twice), John Horton-Stephens, A.
V. George, G. Wilton, Gerald Paling, and Jack Price. The Club has been
affiliated to the parent body, the Amateur Swimming Association, longer
than any other existing Club in England.
As early as 1862 the then
treasurer-cum-secretary, C. Hindley, suggested to the Mayor of Brighton
that a public swimming bath should be built. As a result in 1895 the
Corporation Bath in North Road was opened, the advice of the Club having
been sought by the Baths Committee on matters of design and
construction.
The Club also provided an
excellent entertainment at the opening ceremony and later staged its
first important championship, the five hundred yards Championship of
England, followed later by the 220 yards Championship. Reference has
been made to the social events held in the Club Arch during the winter
months and although these were discontinued winter activities were not
dropped entirely as they changed their form most appropriately to winter
bathing which first began in 1885. The number of these bathers was, at
first, small but they have steadily increased. The Christmas morning
handicap in the sea was also instituted at the same time and has since
continued whenever sea conditions have been favourable.
In 1910 the Club attained its
Jubilee, a distinction which at that time no other swimming club had
achieved, and on the 4th May, being to the day fifty years from the
Club’s inauguration, the event was celebrated by a dinner at the Royal
York Hotel, attended by a large number of members and others interested
in swimming. Later in the season a Gala was held at the Corporation Bath
to commemorate the occasion, the principal feature being that every
contest was either a Championship of England or the Southern Counties or
the Club. The event was an unqualified success and was regarded as one
of the best swimming entertainments ever held up to that time.
During the same year, Jabez
Woolfe, a member of the Club, made attempts to swim the channel, the
Club being officially represented in the boat which accompanied him. In
1911, G. H. Fowler, a member of the Club, at much risk, effected the
rescue of a bather at Mablethorpe and was publicly presented with the
Bronze Medal and Vellum Certificate of the Royal Humane Society.
Subsequently the Society’s certificates were awarded to H. Burtenshaw
for an attempted rescue in the Thames at Kingston, and to C. J. Webb for
a rescue from the sea at Brighton.
The year 1913 will always be
memorable in the Club’s history. On Easter Eve, Brighton experienced a
great storm which did much damage to the sea front and almost destroyed
the Club’s headquarters. Thanks to the Brighton Corporation, the
structure was substantially repaired and improved. Another important
Gala was held by the Club when the International Water Polo Match
between England and Wales and the 100 yards Championship of England were
contested. Both these events created much enthusiasm, particularly the
latter, when H. E. Annison of the Croydon Club, who later became a
Brighton member and Vice President, beat the then Champion, J. G.
Hatfield of the Middlesborough Club by a touch amid great excitement.
This Gala was thought by many to surpass even the Jubilee Festival in
importance and whilst the expense, nearly £75, was greater than any
previous Gala, a profit was made. During the year, W. C. Webb, a Club
member and son of C. J. Webb, who had gone to reside in Canada, won the
back-stroke championship of that dominion. As a fitting conclusion to
the year, the Club attained its highest membership of 256, the best
previous being 243 in 1893.
The activities of the Club
during the 1914-1918 war were much restricted but fortunately it was
able to carry on with the assistance of the older members. In 1917 a
successful Gala was carried out for the benefit of St. Dunstan’s Home,
resulting in a profit which was handed to that institution. The Diamond
Jubilee of the Club was duly celebrated in 1920, the principal event
being a Grand Gala at which the Southern and Sussex Championships were
included. The show must have been unusually attractive for the prices
paid for admission were 10s. 0d., 5s. 9d., and 3s. 6d. with standing
room at 3s. 6d. and 2s. 4d.
From 1920 onwards and for a
number of years the Club was most successful in the County Water Polo
Championship, teams being entered in each of the three divisions and
winning the first division seven years in succession and all three in
1926. The original Club Arch was never a very cheerful place but, all
the same, not bad value at a rent of Is. 0d. a year which was all that
the Corporation asked! One entered by descending steps and it was under
the road. It was always damp, clammy and cold but, in 1924, steps were
taken to improve it. Electric light, a fresh water shower, and washing
facilities were installed with a steward in attendance. This was an
enormous improvement but oddly enough there was a drop in membership.
In this year, in addition to
the success of the Water Polo players, their Captain being A. E. Hill,
an Olympic and international player, the Club also won the Sussex Life
Saving Championship and, perhaps even more remarkable on the 18th
December, W. C. Hodgkinson a veteran member, won the Veteran’s Race in
the Serpentine at the age of 76.
At this time and for many
years, The Brighton Ladies’ Swimming Club met at the North Road Baths on
the same evening as the men and this association continued with
advantage to both Clubs until 1953, when it was agreed to meet on
separate evenings. This arrangement proved highly satisfactory and in
1959 there was a total junior membership of over 500 in the two Clubs.
The year 1929 was memorable
for three events. Firstly, A. St. John Styer, the Captain, was chosen to
referee the International Polo Match between Ireland and Wales.
Secondly, the idea of a bathing pool being mooted, the Club, well ahead
of the times, strongly recommended to Brighton Council the provision of
a covered sea-water bath as an added attraction to the town. Thirdly,
Stephen Oatley who had been one of the best long distance swimmers in
Sussex and a Club Vice President died in his 77th year. He had held the
Club Championship from 1883 to 1890, was Captain during the same period
and honorary treasurer from 1889 to 1893.
The following year A. St. John
Styer became President of the Southern Counties Amateur Swimming
Association.
A. St.J. Styer
Captain 1901 to 1931
President 1932 to 1958
His record as a water polo
player, referee and general administrator
have never been equalled in
the long history of the club
So far little has been said
about the Club’s finances. The first year had seen a balance in hand of
10s. 6d. The balance had grown to something like £50 by the time of the
Diamond Jubilee. Until 1933 this balance fell; in that year it reached
the low level of £5. Thereafter the finances have, with slight
fluctuation, steadily improved, almost entirely due to the invaluable
efforts of T. K. White who has acted as Honorary Subscriptions Treasurer
and Treasurer for a period of no less than 30 years. It was also largely
due to the perspicacity of Tommy White that in 1931 the Club moved to a
new home, its headquarters till 1978, far more commodious, lighter and
airier, and with a beach which was not only cleaner and quieter but
through which there was no traffic route for the public.
In 1933, G. T. Edwards
resigned from the secretary ship which he had held for nine years. He
was a most efficient and hard-working officer of the Club
.
In 1934, the Swimming Stadium
in West Street was opened and meetings were held there as well as at
North Road. The first manager of the Stadium was Harold Annison, who had
come from the Croydon Swimming Club, and it was at this time also that
Jim Godwin under Annison’s guidance began to make such marked progress.
Also this year for the first time, records mention the name of a diving
instructor, Jack King.
The formation of The Beach
Life Guards also took place in 1934. This was a unit organised by Tommy
White at the request of Brighton Corporation and, incidentally, the
direct result of Club influence, for it was at the instigation of
Alderman J. E. Hay, a Vice-President. This continued to function with
increasing efficiency until the last war. Its purpose was to patrol the
bathing beaches during the summer and it was highly a predated as a
safeguard. The distinctive blazers and swimming costumes of the members
of the corps became well known on all the bathing beaches.
Noteworthy at this point was
the award t(, a Club member, J. P. Johns, of the Bronze Medallion of the
Jersey Humane Society for carrying out a rescue under meritorious
conditions whilst on holiday in the island. It was presented to him at
the Swimming Stadium. This was also the fourth year in succession in
which the Club won the County Life Saving Championship.
In 1935, the professional
swimming coach, R. T. Cosgrove, a former Club and County champion, left
the town. He had been coach for many years and when a suitable
presentation was made he had the satisfaction of knowing that his final
year had been one of the most successful the Club had ever had both in
swimming and water polo. Particular mention must be made of the
wonderful achievements of F. J. (Jim) Godwin, who in subsequent years
did so much valuable work for the Club in so many different spheres.
During this year he won four Club events and eight national, Southern
Counties and County Championships, setting up new record in the Southern
Counties’ mile. Such success was remarkable and without parallel in the
history of the Club and in recognition of these remarkable successes it
presented him with an inscribed souvenir. Perhaps because of his fame
the Burgess Hill Urban District Council invited the Club to arrange a
Gala for the opening of the open-air swimming bath. About the same time
a monthly Team Handicap for Club Spoons was introduced for the very
thriving junior section.
The marked improvement in
swimming proficiency and the successes gained in water polo emphasized
the great advantages to be gained by having a good swimming bath and
first class training facilities. It was therefore a great disappointment
when in 1936 the West Street Stadium closed and swimming practices had
to be confined to the North Road Bath. It was however, during this
period that the Club won through to the semi-final of the English Water
Polo Club Championship, beating en route the redoubtable Oldham Police
Swimming Club, and when the new swimming pool at Black Rock was opened,
the Club, at the special invitation of the Brighton Corporation, played
a prominent part and also at the Corporation’s instigation, the Pier to
Pier Race was inaugurated.
It was also in 1936 that "Pa"
Hodgkinson died. He was 86 and had been a regular bather from the Arch
until a few days before his death. He had been most active on the
Committee, had served the Club in many ways, and had been a well-known
winter bather. Sir Harry Preston, a Vice-President and a strong
supporter of the Club, also died this year but he is still remembered by
the trophy which bears his name. This also applies to "Pa" Hodgkinson
for in 1937 a new trophy was presented in his name for a race for winter
bathers to be held on Christmas Day.W. Baxter was this year selected to
represent England against Wales at water polo, an honour previously held
by A. St. John Styer who played for England in 1902 and was Captain in
1904. W. Baxter was the first Sussex man to represent his country since
1905.The death is recorded of L. Meaden, a Vice-President, after a long
and painful illness. He joined in 1888, was secretary from 1903 to 1913
and, in addition, served the Sussex County A.S.A. for 14 years, was
President of the Southern Counties A.S.A., the Sussex A.S.A., and only
failing health prevented him from accepting the Presidency of tile
National Association. The Club never had a more enthusiastic and capable
officer.
With the coming of the last
war, for the first time in the Club's history sea-bathing had to stop
for the Arch was closed by the military authorities early in 1940. All
members felt this very keenly but none more so than the
all-the-year-round swimmers. Only a few hours notice of the closure was
given but, even so, enthusiastic members managed to remove some of the
historic posters, photographs, and records. It was well that they did
for the Arch was badly bombed, to such an extent that at the end of the
war they could not be reoccupied for a considerable time. Temporary
quarters were, however, obtained at a near-by arch until the present
premises were again habitable in February 1948.
Throughout the war some
all-the-year-round swimmers continued to meet at the old Hove sea-water
baths but the main activity was confined to the Corporation Bath in
North Road. Here " holidays at home" galas were run and junior Club
events competed for. Owing to air-raid precautions, weekly Club nights
had to be restricted to a very short season during the summer as, of
course, no artificial light could be used. Although the strain on
swimming resources was stretched to the limit and air-raid alarms added
to the difficulties the membership rose by leaps and bounds until it was
no less than 285, and much credit must be given to the officials at this
time-J. W. Blyth, Secretary, T.K. White, treasurer and Freddy West, the
Captain.
During the war apart from
members lost on active service several other old friends died. Amongst
them was F. Marcantonio, a keen water polo player and most enthusiastic
Club officer, Jabez Woolfe who had so many times attempted to swim the
channel under the Club’s flag and G. H. Fowler who joined in 1906, was
holder of the Club’s Mile Championship in 1907/9/10/13/14 and 15 and was
a regular member of the Water Polo First Team from 1909 to 1921. Someone
else who might easily have been a casualty if he had not been a skilful
diver having been Sussex High board Diving Champion in 1938 and 1939,
was Arthur Holman. He was in H.M.S. "Courageous" when she was torpedoed
in the Atlantic and saved himself when "abandon ship" was given by
diving into the sea from the upper edge of the steeply tilted flight
deck. Arthur is the present Club Captain and holder of the unofficial
record for the longest time in the sea on really rough days.
By 1946 many of the Club
Championships had been resumed, the most popular being the Mile in the
Sea. As a result of the fuel shortage, the North Road Bath was unheated
and, not surprisingly, this acted rather as a deterrent to Club
membership although everything possible was done by F. J. Godwin who
organized a weekly series of instruction classes at Fairlight Place
School. He was well supported by senior members and relaxation exercises
were carried out and lectures on swimming and diving were given together
with the showing of instructional films. For the first time for many
years winter facilities were obtained at the St. Luke’s Terrace School
Baths.
In 1947 the Pier to Pier Race
for the Palace Pier Challenge Trophy was resumed and again organised by
the Club in conjunction with the Brighton Corporation Publicity
Department. This event had been in abeyance since 1938 but has since
proved very popular, and in 1959 there were no less than 60 entrants.
At this time, J. M. Peerless,
honorary treasurer for 33 years resigned the office and was made a life
member. The death also occurred of C. J. Webb who had joined in 1894,
became Vice-President in 1933, and throughout his long membership had
worked assiduously on the Club’s behalf. With F. J. Jenkins and Freddy
West he had also been a member of the Royal Humane Society and was, in
fact, its secretary from 1916 to 1947 when the branch was closed.
Not only were the pre-war
headquarters reoccupied in 1948 but for the first time the Club entered
the Southern Counties ASA. Water Polo Championship. The Brighton Regatta
was also resumed and the Club organized a Gala from the West Pier.
The Club lost by death two of
its older members, Alderman J. H. Bassett who had joined in 1912 and was
a regular all-the-year-round bather, and J. M. Peerless who had joined
in 1890, and, as we have already said had been made a life member.
At the Annual Dinner in the
following year, A. St. John Styer was presented with an illuminated
address in recognition of his outstanding services. Unfortunately soon
after this he had an accident which prevented him from taking his usual
part in Club affairs for the next 18 months.
In 1951 winter training at the
King Alfred Baths was undertaken for the first time and has since
continued. Latterly also, winter swimming has again been held at St.
Luke’s School Baths.
A very great loss was suffered
by the Club in 1952 by the death of J. W. Blyth at the very early age of
46. He had worked so whole heartedly and efficiently for the Club since
he first took over the office of honorary secretary in 1934 that most of
the executive work had been left entirely to him.
In 1953 the Life-Guard Section
was reformed in conformity with the rules of the Royal Life Saving
Society. Regular patrols were carried out throughout the season and have
since continued on the Club beach. During the year displays of swimming,
diving, and water polo were given at Butlin’s Hotel at Saltdean and "
splash nights " in conjunction with the Brighton Ladies’ Swimming Club
were organized. This was also the year when Neil Tasker’s star was first
in the ascendant. His brilliant swimming, in addition to other
successes, won him the Boys’ 100 Yards Southern Counties Championship,
the first Southern Counties Championship won by a member of the Club
since J. H. Annison’s victory in the Boys’ 100 yds. Breaststroke in
1936. Tasker followed these successes in subsequent years by being
selected to take part in a swimming contest between English and ‘
Scottish school boys and in 1957 to swim for Great Britain in four
international matches. The following year he became the English
Universities’ Freestyle and Butterfly Champion and established a new
Sussex record for the 110 yards freestyle of 60.8 seconds.
It was at this time that a new
junior began to come to the fore. Michael Read, who a few years earlier
had been stricken with polio, now showed up prominently in Sussex and
Southern Championships and, in 1958, was placed 5th in the National Half
Mile and second in the English Schools 100 yards Butterfly. The next
year he followed these achievements with a really remarkable season,
winning no less than four Sussex Championships and, in doing so, setting
up new records for the 110 yards Butterfly and the 880 yards Freestyle.
He also won the English Schools 110 Yards Butterfly, was second in the
Southern Counties 440 Yards Freestyle and the individual Medley, while
his efforts in the National Championships-second in both 440 and 880
yards Freestyle and third in 220 yards Freestyle, earned him national
recognition and selection to swim for Great Britain against Holland.
Michael Read would be the
first to acknowledge the debt he owes to Neil Tasker for his advice and
encouragement. They have much in common for not only are they the two
most successful swimmers produced by the Club in recent years, but both
have overcome tremendous physical disabilities-Tasker originally took up
swimming to help his breathing as he was a sufferer from serious asthma
and Read as we have said, had had polio.
To return, however, to 1954.
About this time a striking innovation took place under the leadership of
Michael Davies. This was the formation of an under-water swimming
section of the Club from which a subaqua section known as the " Brighton
Bottom Scratchers" has developed, and is proving more and more popular
as time goes by. They now have special equipment, hold training classes
for beginners, and organize their own Spear Fishing Championship each
year for the Wild Cup. Jim Wild who presented it is one of the leading
lights in the Life-Guard Section, seven of whose members won the Bronze
Medallion of the Surf Life Association of Australia, to which they are
affiliated, in 1954. Another old friend of the Club died this year. G.
Wilton joined the Club in 1908, became a member of the Committee in
1913, and until his death was a most active member in Club affairs and
rarely missed a Club night at North Road Baths.
An all time record for length
of association with the Club was celebrated by a dinner given in 1956
for A. St. John Styer by the Sussex County A.S.A. whose President and
other leading officials were present, on his completion of 75 years of
Club activities. Another member of long standing was recalled the next
year when the race for the "Pa" Hodgkinson Cup was revived after 18
years of unsuitable conditions, and the war-time prohibitions, had made
it impossible to hold the event.
In 1958 the Life-Guard Section
organised a team and entered the National Life Saving Competition at
Perranporth using a line and very fine reel which had been constructed
by that renowned craftsman of the Lanes, Geoff Thompson. In very bad
weather conditions the Brighton team managed to achieve second place and
in the 1959 event in which they also competed, one member, Roland Davis,
had the proud distinction of winning the National Open Surf Race and is
now the holder of the Chyverton Trophy awarded for this event.
It was in 1958 that the Club
and, in fact, the swimming world in general, suffered a most serious
loss in the death of A. St.J. Styer. The following obituary appears in
the 1958 report
" It is with extreme sorrow
that we record the death of that ‘ Grand old Gentleman’ of Sussex
swimming A. St.J. Styer, on the 13th March. He became a member of the
Brighton S.C. in 1882, was made Captain of the Club in 1901 and remained
Club Captain until he was elected President in 1930, an office which had
been held by his father, L. R. Styer, since 1880.His record as a water
polo player, referee and general administrator has never been equalled
and the swimming world, both locally and nationally, has suffered
irreparable loss. ‘ We shall not look on his like again."
St. John was undoubtedly the
greatest of all his contemporaries and the most valuable Club member
Brighton has had in its long history. He had the honour of refereeing a
water polo match before Royalty, at the Bath Club.
1959 saw progress in all Club
activities and an increase in membership to 340. Frederick T. West, who
had been a member since 1920 and who held a long record of service to
the Club as a member of the committee, Club Captain and, latterly,
Chairman, was elected President.
The Sub Aqua Section landed no
less than 650 Ibs. of fish between May and September. Four additional
members passed the aqua-lung proficiency test and two of these, C.
Chandler and M. Davies, successfully recovered an anchor lost from a
speedboat near the chain pier rocks. In this year also, Donald Hendon
who since 1953 had been a most hard working and efficient Secretary, was
successful in obtaining the Diploma of the R.L.S.S. Roland Davis again
hit the headlines when, with the assistance of a visitor, he rescued
from drowning, two girls who had been carried away by currents and were
clinging to the barnacle covered piles of the pier.
A combined Brighton and
Shiverers team defeated at Black Rock Pool, the Warrender Baths S.C.
from Edinburgh, largely consisting of Scottish international swimmers.
Two further cups were presented this year in memory of St. J. Styer-one
being awarded for water polo and the other for a series of sea races.
Some reference should finally
be made to two events which have been taking place annually for a number
of years and are greatly enjoyed both by members taking part and by a
large crowd of spectators. These are the Annual Barbecue on the beach on
the Saturday evening preceding August Bank Holiday and the arrival of
Father Neptune and his minions on the following day. The reel and line
demonstrations given at weekends under the leadership of D. M. Wild and
R. B. Dunford also create considerable interest with the public and
holiday makers.
The Brighton Swimming Club has
always been well to the fore in providing administrators and apart from
those already mentioned, the following should be named:-
GERALD PALING C.B.E.
A Vice-President for many
years.
Treasurer of the Sussex County
A.S.A 1935-39
President ‘ Sussex County
A.S.A. 1948
President, Southern Counties
A.S.A. 1958
JACK PRICE
A Vice-President.
Secretary of the Sussex County
A.S.A. 1951-53
President ‘ Sussex County
A.S.A. 1953
Delegate to the Southern
Counties A.S.A. from 1935
Secretary to Southern Counties
A.S.A. Swimming and Training Committee and Water Polo Committee.
DAVID CRESSWELL
Secretary of the Sussex County
A.S.A. 1954 and 1957-59
ROGER DUNFORD
The first Secretary of the
National Surf Life-Saving Association of Great Britain 1955
This brief history of the many
activities of the Club can give but a very inadequate impression of its
vitality. Survivor of three wars, it has been in continuous existence
for a century. During all these years it has fostered all branches of
the art of swimming and has grasped every opportunity to popularise and
to serve it. There can be few other swimming clubs, if any, whose
members participate in so wide a variety of activities. Its resources
have been made available for charitable and public causes. Naturally its
history consists of the accounts of the doings of individuals but their
successes have owed much to the training, the stimulus and the
encouragement the Club has offered them. If ever its history is written
in full, the record will be one of which the Club can justly be proud.
Photographed
holding a piece of swimming history is Nick Cressey, a member of
Brighton Swimming Club's water polo team. Nick collects old photos of
Brighton and with a recent purchase he was intrigued to find it included
an old letter that mentioned his Club, written by Henry Fawcett, who
later became MP for Brighton.
Addressed to C Hindley Esq.,
one of the six original founder members and the first
Secretary/Treasurer of Brighton Swimming Club in 1860, Henry Fawcett
wrote,
"I most heartily approve of
the Swimming Club and think its establishment will be most beneficial -
I therefore most gladly subscribe a guinea towards it a cheque for which
I beg to enclose to you. I am still remarkably fond of swimming myself
and hope when I next come to Brighton to be able some morning to join
your club. Believe me to be, my Dear Sir, Henry Fawcett."
Henry Fawcett was subsequently
made Postmaster General and introduced parcel post, postal orders and
the sixpenny telegram. He was also a leading campaigner for women's
suffrage.
Founded in
1860, Brighton Swimming Club is England's oldest continuously formed
Swimming Club.