Mexborough and Swinton Times September 20 1919

Wombwell Swimming Club Annual Gala.

Local Boy Beaten by Sheffield Champion.

The popularity of the Wombwell baths was again strikingly demonstrated last night, on the occasion of the Wombwell Swimming Club’s Sixth Annual Gala.

As was expected from previous experience of this popular event the baths were crowded long before the time for starting, and even the special arrangements made in the event of an overflow were not sufficient to meet requirements.

The most popular events from the point of view of the spectators, were the different schools competitions.

Some twelve or fifteen schools in the Wombwell District had teams entered, and judging by the burst of applause which greeted any outstanding performance, they were all well represented in the audience. Parents attended in striking numbers, and took an almost delirious delight in the efforts of the children.

In the absence of Councillor Sokell, who was prevented from attending by urgent Council business, there was no chairman’s address, Mr. T. Kay (Baths Manager) formally opening the Gala.

The most important event was the much talked of match between Wombwell champion schoolboy swimmer, J. Stenton (Park Street Schools), and T. W. Bartlett (Sheffield. schoolboy champion). There was some doubt as t, whether the event would take place, but this difficulty was overcome.

The Sheffield boy gave away some weight to Stenton, but the latter was seven months the younger. Both boys started well. Bartlett gained in the first 25 yards and showed a fine stroke. In the second length he further increased his lead and showed himself a more experienced swimmer than Stenton. Bartlett finished the 75 yards half a length ahead of the Wombwell boy.

Time: Stenton 75 ses.; Bartifttt 65 secs. The race was on the breast stroke.

Councillor Mellor stated it was a distinction for Wombwelil to lose to a city like Sheffield, and he thought Stenton could be regarded regarded as one of the corning champions. Bartlett was loudly cheered by the spectators.

PRIZE WINNERS:

Ladies’ Diving Competition: 1 Miss Winnie Lingard, 2 Miss Lizzie Mitchell.

Ladies’ 50yds. Handicap (Free Style).— Heat Winners: Miss Dora Shaw, Miss Stella Wilkinson, Miss Winnie Lingard, Miss Lizzie Mitchell. Final: 1 Miss Nom Shaw, 2 Miss Winnie Lingard, 3 Miss Stella Wilkinson.

School Girls’ Team Race.—Heat Winners: John Street School, King’s Road School, Elsecar National School, Park Road School. Final: 1 John Street School (Winnie Wood, Elsie May Knock, Edna Williams), 2 Elsecar National School. He

Junior 50yds. (Free Style). — Heat Winners: .Thos. Oughton, Fred Parker, Tom Coxon, Edgar Bands. Final: 7 T Cozen. 2 E Hands.

50yds. (Free Style).— Heat Winners: Nora Shaw, Stella Wilkinson, Lizzie Mitchell, Winnie Lingard. Final: 1 Nora Shaw. 2 Winnie Lingard.

Ladies’ Comic Event.–Miss Winnie Lingard.

School Boys’ Team Race for the Mellor Shield).— Heat Winners: John Street School, King’s Road School, Mirk Street School, Hoyland Council Schools.

Final: 1 Park Street School (Harry Hill, Ralph Crossley, W. Bissell), 2 John Street School.

Gent’s 50yds. (Free Style).— Heat Winners: A L Taylor, E Furr, J Skerrow.

Final 1 E Furr, 2 A L Taylor.

School Girls’ 50yds Individual Championshir. —Heat Winners Edna Williams, Lucy Radford, Madge Gale, Elsie Bedford. Final: 1 Edna Willams (John Street School), 2 Madge Gale (Elsecar National).

Gent’s Comic Event.—Fred Parkes.

Gent’s 50yds (Breast and Back Stroke)-1 F, Firth, 2 G Skerrow.

Gent’s Diving.-1 A Tyas, 2 E Purr.

The prizes were distributed by Councillor Mellor.

The officials were: Starter and Time-keeper, Mr. T. Kay.; Stewards, members of the club; Judges, W. Whittaker, H. Wood and Coun. Mellor; Gent’s stewards, C. Boocock, and F. Parkes.

Ladies’ Stewards, Mrs. Rands and Potts.

Useful assistance was rendered by Mrs. Kay, wife of the baths manager