LAST week’s article on the various places around Worcester where people learned to swim seems to have caused, well, quite a splash.
Hundreds of people commented via Facebook to share where their pool of preference had been, although there was some discussion about the strong chemicals that you had to walk through at pools like Stanley Road, before going in the pool!
Thank you to everyone who shared their stories.
Trampolining at the former Samuel Southalls school (now Bishop Perowne) in the mid 1970s
I was also delighted to hear from an old friend this week. Eddie Awford, who will be known to many as Worcester’s ‘Mr Judo’, got in touch to share some of his memories.
Eddie said: “I was born in the Tything Nurses Home (next to Kays) and lived in Chestnut Street near to Park’s Puddle in Sansome Walk where I learnt to swim.
Read more: Where did you learn to swim?
“I spent a great deal of time as an avid member of the Worcester Swimming Club, taking part in competitive swimming events, learning lifesaving and playing water polo.”
Worcester ’83 Judo Club in 1985, based in the former Gaumont Theatre. The small girl standing at the far end facing the camera, is the author of this article!
I first got to know Eddie when I was eight years old, when I attended my first judo grading at St John’s Sports Centre.
Many local people will remember attending the various judo clubs that existed in Worcester, and certainly at that time, there were clubs at Warndon Youth Centre, St John’s Sports Centre and Worcester ’83 (formerly St Paul’s, having moved from the Blockhouse in the early 1980s), based upstairs in the former Gaumont Theatre in Foregate Street, where it is still based today.
Do you have memories of sports clubs in the city? Included here, is a selection of images from sports clubs and grounds around Worcester. We’d love to hear your stories!
Eddie Awford, pictured on the left here, winner of the Worcester Swimming Club Junior Mens all-round Championship. To his right is pictured Miss Valerie Roberts, Ladies 100 yards ‘Evening News ‘Cup champion and Mr R. Bradley who won the Senior
Worcester Life Stories is a collaborative project bringing local people together through shared stories of the City of Worcester. It is co-led by Dr Natasha Lord, Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust and Sheena Payne-Lunn, Worcester City Council and funded thanks to National Lottery players.
For further information or to share your stories visit worcesterlifestories.org.uk, our Facebook page or Twitter @worlifestories.
You can also email worcesterlifestories@gmail.com or call 01905 721133. Or why not go to the We grew up in Worcester on Facebook and join the conversation there?
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