Cumbria Swimming Association have made two more inductions into their recently established Hall of Fame.
Wendy Burrell was the first inductee to recognise the outstanding service to aquatic sport and Raymond Watson (Kendal SC) and Terry Lambert (formerly of Troutbeck SC) have followed.
The individuals were recently presented with their awards at a ceremony in Kendal to recognise their outstanding service to the sport of swimming.
Raymond’s links with Kendal SC began in 1959 after moving to the town, having joined the fire service, and it was the start of a 65-year association with swimming.
During his time with the Kendal SC (formed 1886) he has held many roles including swimming teacher, coach, team manager, committee member secretary, chair, and press officer.
Raymond retired as a coach in 2016 after 48 years during which time he coached at both Kendal and Troutbeck where he helped many hundreds of children learn to swim with a significant number going on to swim competitively at the local clubs.
He was recognised by Kendal in 1988 as Honorary Vice President and Life Member for his meritorious service. Further recognition came in 2009 when he was invited by the Queen to attend a Buckingham Palace Garden party.
Raymond’s service to swimming extended to the county association which included two terms of office as Cumbria County President in 2013, 2014 and 2017.
Raymond is now in a care home in Kendal, approaching 90 years of age but is still as sharp as a tack and had some great stories to tell when visited by association officials.
Terry Lambert’s links to aquatic sports began with her involvement in the formation of Troutbeck SC in 1976 and the start of a 50-year association with swimming, in particular Synchro Swimming (now Artistic Swimming).
A founder member of the Troutbeck SC committee Terry held almost all the committee roles culminating in 12 years as the club’s chair.
Terry’s roles in swimming extended beyond the club as she was their representative on the CASA Executive for over 30 years, including two years as president in 2007-08.
Her prime passion was Synchro Swimming where she spent many hundreds of hours, teaching and coaching the sport to young people who were looking for an alternative to competitive swimming.
Such was Terry’s involvement and commitment she became involved with judging and became recognised as an international judge within the sport.
Terry travelled extensively in her role, officiating abroad at LEN and FINA Events with the pinnacle being selected to officiate at the Commonwealth Game Kuala Lumpa 1998.
She has been on the independent Disputes and Disciplinary resolution panel for the ASA/Swim England for over 27 years and has been chair of the panel for the last several years.
Her time in more recent years has been consumed with Saving Grange Lido (SGL), a derelict lido in the town.
As one of the 10 board members, she worked towards the restoration of the Victorian outdoor pool. Having initially secured grant funding of several millions of pounds, work to stabilise the structure has now commenced.
The SGL group are now seeking to secure the funds to hopefully re-establish the pool and hopefully provide a six lane 50 metre pool which would be a much needed first for the county.
A County Association spokesman said: “Both individuals have shown outstanding service to aquatic sports within the county over many years dedicating their time unselfishly to helping and developing young people and were therefore natural and deserved candidates for induction into the Hall of Fame.”
