110th ANNIVERSARY

On the 10th October 1986 to celebrate its 110th anniversary, Tyldesley Swimming Club held a dinner dance in the Sedgley Suite, at the Village Squash Club, Prestwich.  130 people attended.  Guests of Honour being the President of Northern Counties Mr. George Harris and his wife.

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Former club captain Dennis Topping was installed as President of Tyldesley Swimming Club in 1987.

The ASA’s implementation of a fee to register swimmers and water polo players, which meant additional financial strain on the club prompted them to express their disapproval.

Melanie Fairhurst, Hayley Bowker and Maria Giles represented Central Lancashire at the Northern Counties Festival of Swimming in Blackpool. Melanie won gold in the 11 yrs 100 m breaststroke and Hayley was rerserve for the 15 yrs 100 m freestyle final.

Melanie Fairhurst and Maria Giles also represented Central Lancs in a Triad event against North Lancs and Cumbria.  Central Lance won the event.

Medal winners at the Central Lancs Age Groups were Hayley Bowker, Rachel Giles, Maria Giles, Rachel Hall, Lesley Foulds and Melanie Fairhurst.

Paul Bailey won the Best Boy award at the City of Chester Opne meet winning the 100 m breaststroke and 100 m freestle and gaining silver at 100 m backstroke, 200 m freestyle and 100 m butterfly.

Dennis Price, Neil Greenwood, Christopher Mills, Troy Stevens, Michael Toone and Daniel Toone qualified for the National Triathalon Championships at Portsmouth.  Chistopher Mills finished in the first six.

Christopher Mills and Rachel Giles qualified for The National Biathalon Champiosnships at Southampton.

Another first for the club occurred in 1987 when Tyldesley Swimming Club’s team joined Division Four of the National Water Polo League.  Matches had to be played at Varley Street, Manchester as it was a deep water pool.

The U16’s team reached the semi-final of the ASA Club Boys Northern Section.

The club won the Central Lancs Senior League, Senior Tournament, U20’s League, U18’s Knock-out Cup and U16’s League.

Matthew Holden was selected for the England U20’s water polo squad.

Matthew Holden, Stephen Clancy, Christopher Mills and Scott Royle represented Northern Counties U20’s.

Lee Toone, Paul Fletcher and Julian Glover represented Northern Counties U16’s.

Stephen Clancy, Christopher Mills, Scott Royle, Matthew Holden and Jack Davidson represented Lancashire County U’20s.

Matthew Holden, Steven Clancy, Christopher Mills, Scott Royle, Jack Davidson, Paul Fletcher, Julian Glover, Andrew Topping and Lee Toone and represented Manchester & District U20’s and as a result Matthew Holden, Christopher Mills, and Stephen Clancy were selected for Northern Counties U20’s Training Squad.

Michael Toone, Mark Hope, Troy Stevens, Daniel Toone, Steven Pritchard, Anthony Attack, C. Hunt, M. Howarth and R Howarth represented Manchester and District at U16s level as a result Michael Toone, Mark Hope, Troy Stevens, Daniel Toone, Steven Pritchard and Anthony Attack were selected for the Northern Counties U16s training squad.

Colin Bent, Paul Kinsella, Stephen Davidson, Steve Mazey, Andrew Halliwell and Dennis Price were selected for the Lancashire County Senior Training Squad.

Nine members were selected to represent Manchester and District under sixteens water polo in an Inter-District Tournament. 

TEACHING OF SWIMMING – PUBLIC MEETING

A report by the Director of Leisure to the Recreation and Amenities Committee of Wigan MBC on the 29^th February 1988 recommended that the responsibility to teach non-swimmers be that of the Leisure Department.  This recommendation caused, great concern to all swimming clubs in the authority and their future existence was considered to be in doubt if the intake of non-swimmers was withdrawn.

Following various meetings and discussions to stress the implications of such a recommendation, Tyldesley Swimming and Water Polo Club arranged a public meeting at Tyldesley Labour Club on 30^th November 1988.  Letters of support were received from members of Parliament, ASA, local Swimming Associations and from many other sources, in particular Hamilton “Hammy” Bland.

The public meeting was attended by over 250 people which included local residents, councillors and officials, past and present members, representatives from Swimming Associations, and swimming bath employees displaying placards, as they thought their employment was in jeopardy.

Many people had to be turned away as the hall was full to capacity.

A heated meeting was chaired by the clubs President Mr Dennis Topping and the case for the club to continue to teach non-swimmers was highlighted by Mr Gwyn Pierce.

The majority fully supported the club’s stance.

The recommendation put to the council was not accepted, and the continuance of teaching non-swimmers by the club for over 100 years was maintained.

Financial support was given by Atherton ASC and Wigan ASC again showing the friendship between local clubs.  This support was badly needed, as the club was experiencing financial difficulties due to the extended closure of the baths.  Fund raising events were organised to raise extra monies.