A swimmingly good few decades
4:10pm Tuesday 7th February 2012 in Your Say
A swimmingly good few decades
In 1957, five Swindon residents met at the Moonrakers Public House, called to a meeting for would be people interested in scuba diving and snorkel work. Five people turned up and after introducing ourselves, we started the Swindon branch of the Sub Aqua Club, Britain.
The five were: l John Hamilton, who called the meeting; l Dennis Brewer, railway engine driver (deceased); l Tony Sawyer, dentist from Highworth (deceased); l Mr Head; l Melville Jones (myself), railway clerk.
After our discussion we called for further advertising in the Adver and from that nucleus of people, we have today a flourishing Sub Aqua Club, who now swim several miles of the Thames each year.
Our training officer was a Dutchman who came every Tuesday evening from Bath and we trained at Milton Road swimming baths. We did all our training at Durdle Door in Dorset.
Equipment was rare and transport was poor as there weren’t so many cars in those days. Oxygen was used in our cylinders then, today compressed air!
Nevertheless, we progressed slowly to about 15 members.
John Hamilton, now 87 years old, was president for the last 20 years, and in 2007 the club celebrated its 50 year anniversary with a dinner held at the De Vere Hotel in West Swindon.
I saw the swimmers in wetsuits in the Adver and thought I might tell you this story.
Melville Jones Alveston Close Swindon
