November 2006

Portland Swimming Club’s
75th Anniversay

On Saturday 30th September 2006 Portland Swimming club celebrated its 75th anniversary with a Swimathon and party at Portland Leisure Centre. The aim of the Swimathon was for members of the club, old and new, to mark the anniversary by swimming 75 Kilometres within one hour. The Swimathon was led off by long-serving member Sandy Poole and was completed by more than 50 swimmers. It was brought home by octogenarian club president Walter Grauberg (pictured below) and the target was achieved within 55 minutes.

A special mention to Dave Britton who swam more than 4500 meters on the night. 

The party was also a celebration of the club’s ‘Swim 21’ status, as we are one of the first clubs in the region to achieve this benchmark, the Amateur Swimming Association’s blueprint for the future of swimming in the UK. The Swim 21 accreditation should ensure that Portland Swimming Club is set up for the next 75 years. Thanks to everyone who participated and brought food for the party. In particular thanks to Dave Earps for contributing an extensive selection of tortilla chips and flour tortillas which four members of the committee were caught enjoying below (left to right Steve Hofton, Jackie Shields, Jeff Shields and Tim Garton).

Swimmers of the Month:
July & August 2006 -
Boys: William Lale
Girls: Madeleine & Hannah Mackay.
Sept 2006 –
Boys: Tom Smith
Girls: Millie Kenney.
Oct 2006 –
Boys: Guy Garton
Girls: Jenny Dobson.

Gala Secretary’s Report

Steve Hofton writes that the club was in 4th place with 450 points in the Autumn season JC Dobb League. The final gala of the year will be held on the 16th December 2006.

Fixtures for the 2007 Notts ASA ‘Spring Competition’ and ‘Notts & District’ Leagues have been fixed as follows:
Spring Comp 27.01.2007
Spring Comp 24.02.2007
Spring Comp 12.05.2007
Notts & District 13.10.2007
Notts & District 10.11.2007
Notts & District 08.12.2007

The Fixtures for the next session of the JC Dobb League will be confirmed shortly and detailed in the next issue of The Splash. ‘Competitive Performance Awards’ will be reported in future (and award qualifying times confirmed) in line with reporting on gala results.

Membership Report

Welcome to recent new members Jessica Brown, Laura & Emma Sunderland, Olivia & Harvey Kay, Connor Cruickshank.
At the last meeting the committee decided that if the club is to move forward and offer an attractive future for existing and new members, it will be necessary to increase the membership subscription. Thus, it is proposed that from 01 January 2007 the following fees would apply:
Annual Membership – Single £20.00
Annual Membership – Family £40.00
All fees to be paid prior to 31 January 2007. Full membership fees will apply to all new members that join the club up until 31 July 2007. From 01 August to 31 October 2007 – membership is reduced to half price and from 01 November to 31 December, new members will be asked to pay £2.00 per person per month and in addition, the membership fee for 2008 would be charged at 2007 prices. It is proposed that session fees will rise to £2.50 per person, per session from 1st January 2007.

Swimming Costumes

Attempts to secure the new Portland swimming costumes have hit a problem. The suppliers managed to lose the order! The order has been placed for a second time and a written acknowledgement secured. Unfortunately we will not now receive the costumes before Xmas.

Xmas Splash Night

Christmas Splash night has been fixed for 22 December 8-9pm at Portland Leisure Centre.

And Finally ….

The club championships were held recently at the University Pool. Pictured on the right is Ian Willetts ‘carbo loading’ in anticipation of his attempt on the club record in the fathers’ race. More details will follow about the outcome of this and other races, and Presentation night, in the Christmas Special Issue of ‘The Splash’.

SO DON’T MISS ….

Club presentation night on Friday 1st December 2006 at West Bridgford Sports Club, Stamford Road, West Bridgford (Opposite The Willow Tree Pub), starting at 7.00 pm.

Visit us on
 www.nottingham-portland.org.uk