To discuss joining the club, contact the Head Coach, Erica Johnson, on: headcoach@braintreeswimming.org.uk

Our History

There was a time when the more intrepid members of Braintree Swimming Club plunged into the icy waters of the River Blackwater for a Christmas morning dip.

Braintree and Bocking Swimming Club members now enjoy the comparative luxuries of the Braintree Swimming & Fitness Centre, and differ from those early days when it was very much a gathering for the exclusive gentlemen of the town.  The club came into existence in 1902 and was for 'gentlemen only'.

Club championships were confined to members living within a five mile radius of the Braintree Corn Exchange and amongst the prizes on offer at the 1912 club gala was a walking stick valued at four shillings (20 pence) for the life saving race, with the person being ‘saved’ getting a one shilling (5 pence) knife. It was in that year that the club moved from the Blackwater at Bocking to the public baths, with the proviso that the club change its name to Braintree and Bocking District SC, to embrace all the adjoining parishes.

In 1913 women made their first attempt to break down the ‘gentlemen only’ rule. A letter had been received from 18 women asking for a ladies section to be formed. It was decided that a deputation of no more than eight ladies meet the committee, (the men did not wish to be outnumbered) until the ladies had got their feet in the pool. Mixed bathing was not allowed until 1914.

The club continued in existence, although little is known of its activities, except for the record of cash in hand from the 1934 club accounts being some £15.00 plus interest.

The gap in the records lasted until June 7th 1954 when the book re-opens headed Braintree and Bocking Swimming Club. Some 30 members were in evidence on June 16th, and by June 23rd this number had increased to 101 paid-up members. Gala events that year included swimming, diving, obstacle races and even a pillow fight!

There was another break until August 11th 1960 when a meeting was held at Rose Hill Swimming Baths to discuss the possibility of reforming the club. Mr John Sherry was in the chair with Mr D Bowtell, Secretary of the former club and Mr Poulter, Chairman of the Parks Committee, among those present. Lord Braintree became President and the club was guaranteed exclusive use of the baths on Wednesday evenings from 7.30pm to 9pm at the start of the season and from 7pm to 8.30pm at the end of the season; membership reached 216.

In 1962 the club membership was down to 100, 13 seniors and 87 juniors and the income for the year was £54.00. Whilst we are not sure when in the 1960s the Braintree and Bocking Swimming Club had another of its lapses, the last recorded meeting was in March 1964, and we do know that the present club began in 1977.

The present club owes its existence to John Kenny, who spoke to Pat Corney, then the Braintree Council’s Community Services Officer, and asked permission to form a competitive swimming club at the Riverside pool. His suggestion that a swimming club be started found favour among several council officers, and the club was reformed. Since then it has gone from strength to strength.