Identity area
Reference code
AR94
Title
Date(s)
- 1888 - 1934 (Creation)
Level of description
Collection
Extent and medium
7 vols
Context area
Name of creator
Administrative history
South Norwood Ladies Swimming Club was formed in 1883 after a meeting at 'Sunnyside', South Norwood Park, the residence of Charles Horsley. This resulted in the inauguration of a club which, from the end of the nineteenth century until 1914, was the largest ladies swimming club in England, with a membership of over two hundred. At the time of its dissolution in 1934, after 51 years, it was also the oldest club of its kind. The club was based at the South Norwood Baths (Birchanger Road), and played a large part in the campaign for their modernisation from a small open-air bath to an enlarged covered facility, completed in 1913. Every year various activities were organised, including racing, other competitive events and the annual Entertainment (consisting of serious and light-hearted events). This did not take place during the years 1916-1919, when the Admiralty was using the baths to store the furniture of soldiers away fighting. Because of the War, membership of the Club fell from around 200 to 50 and never fully recovered. The problem was exacerbated by the coal strike in 1921 which meant that the baths were once again closed and the Entertainment had to be cancelled, whilst other clubs continued to function as normal; and also by changes in the district and the lack of younger members coming up to replace the Seniors. In 1934, with membership down to 33, the decision was taken to dissolve the Club.
During its existence, the Club attached great importance to the teaching of life-saving techniques, and a total of 157 awards from the Royal Life-Saving Society were gained by members. In addition, it was notable for being the first club to use a musical swimming drill; and for leading the way in the adoption of a practical ladies swimming costume.
The Honorary Secretaries of the club were:
Mrs. Horsley (1 year) 1883-1884
Mrs. Botterill (1 year) 1884-1885
Mrs. Lynch (3 years) 1885-1888
Mrs. Frederic Cooper (4 years) 1888-1892
Miss Mabel Cooper (7 years) 1892-1899
Miss Fannie Moore (26 years) 1899-1925
Mrs. Stuart Carter (1 year) 1925-1926
Mrs. Tom Sutton (7 years) 1926-1933
Miss Fannie Moore (1 year) 1933-1934
Repository
Archival history
Donated by Mr Mason of Beckenham.
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Accession Number: A94
South Norwood Ladies Swimming Club minutes
Item date: 1888-1934
Depositor's Name: Mason, Mr
Accession date: c1960s
Content and structure area
Scope and content
The minute books contain minutes of General and Committee Meetings; and also newspaper cuttings, seasonal agendas and photos of events.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Some of the records in our collections contain sensitive and personal data that we have a legal responsibility to control access to. In these circumstances, staff may search the collection on your behalf, having received consent or proof of death of the individual concerned.
Please contact us at archives@croydon.gov.uk for further information regarding the particular collection you wish to access.
You can make a request for information which may be in a closed record under the Freedom of Information Act, 2000 or the Environmental Information Regulations, 2004. For more information about making a request, see the Croydon Council website (www.croydon.gov.uk). Making a request does not guarantee access to the information you ask for, as there may be a valid exemption from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act.
Conditions governing reproduction
Language of material
Script of material
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Finding aids
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
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Alternative identifier(s)
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Description control area
Description identifier
GB-352-ar94
Institution identifier
Rules and/or conventions used
Status
Level of detail
Dates of creation revision deletion
24/06/2015