1930 trophy returns to swimming club as part of annual presentations

There was a healthy turnout for Westbury ASC’s annual awards presentation on 6th December held at Westbury Labour Club.

Swimmers of all ages turned up with their families and friends to celebrate their successes in the club’s championship held during November.

2013 has been a challenging year because of the near six-month enforced closure of the swimming pool when renovation works went wrong. Stephen Pyne, head coach of the club, thanked parents and swimmers for continuing to support the club and for making the effort, in large numbers, to attend training sessions at other venues during that period.

The Westbury Swimming Club is one of the oldest in the UK with its origins in 1897. One of the awards on the night featured a trophy which dates all the way back to that year and which is probably one of the oldest swimming trophies in the country.

The Edward Griffin Memorial Cup, as it is now known, was awarded to Catherine Jones for her dedication and effort as a member of the Senior swimming squad.  This trophy had not been seen by the club since 1930, when Edward Griffin won it for the third time and so became entitled to retain if for good.

Following Edward’s death his family recently contacted the club to ask if the trophy could be awarded to a worthy winner each year, and the club is extremely grateful to the family for this as  well as the generous bequest from Edward’s estate.

Another special award was made on the night, The John Simms Cup, to the most deserving member of the junior squad. This year it went to eight year old Emma Price. The cup commemorates the life of John Simms a former stalwart member of the club who sadly passed away aged only 25 several years ago.

New club captains were also unveiled on the night. Peter Brown will be boys’ captain and Sammy Brisdon girls’ captain for 2014.

The club is always keen to hear from any prospective new swimmers or their parents. Contact details can be found at www.westburyasc.co.uk.