National Clarion Swimming Club
Much has been written about the Clarion Movement's cycling clubs, rambling clubs and choir's, but very little on it's other clubs including the National Clarion Swimming Club which was established in 1905.
Above is a picture of 1908 Clarion swimming Champions (believe it is Blackburn ?) and Bradford Clarion Swimming Club women lifesavers (now lifeguards) dated 1907, (note the Clarion logo on the swimsuit) .
Swimming would have been a very rare experience for working class people at the turn of the last century, especially women and as a consequences local newspapers frequently record the tragic stories of young working class children drowning in rivers and canals.
The other picture is of a silver national Clarion Swimming Club medal awarded in 1908 (which is now in the People's History Museum).
Bradford was the founding City of the Independent Labour Party and many early municipal enterprises such as free school meals were pioneered in Bradford
Wapping Road School, built in 1877, was a ‘Board School’ under Bradford's very own W.E. Forster's Education Act of 1870.
More than a century ago, the school created national and international headlines with the help of education Clarion and ILP supporters campaigners Margaret and Rachel McMillan and their push to improve the health and education of working class.
Their influence helped bring the country’s first school swimming pool to Wapping Road school and nearby Green Lane School in 1899.
see also Bradford Cinderella Club.
NATIONAL CLARION SWIMMING CLUB
Newcastle - upon- Tyne and London had Clarion Swimming Clubs as early as 1896 and Oldham, Liverpool and Bradford led the way in the North of England. Aberdeen and Glasgow Clarion Swimming Clubs were the first to be formed in Scotland.
By the early years of the last century there were enough Clarion Swimming Clubs to form a National Swimming Club in 1905, with its own silk woven badge to sew on swimming costumes.
A national Clarion Swimming Team went on to compete abroad in the 1920's as part of the International Sports movement.
At the Clarion Easter meet in York 1932 Clarion swimming events were held at St George's Baths where Levenshulme Clarion swimming Club beat Oldham Clarion Swimmimg Club for the team championship.
The Ladies breast stroke was won by Miss Elwood of York Clarion swimming Club with Miss Priestley, Leeds Clarion swimming Club second.
Ladies freestyle was won by Miss Priestley, with Miss Crowther of Halifax Clarion swimming Club second.
The Men's breast stroke was by Mr E. Johnson of Oldham Levenshume Clarion swimming Club, with Mr F. Johnson Oldham Clarion second. Gents free style was won by E Johnson with H. Hughill , Bradford Clarion swimmig Club second
A Mitcham Clarion Swimming Club (South London) is still in operation but it is unclear if it has a historical link.
Also Pendlebury Clarion Swimming Club circa February 1905
Also Pendlebury Clarion Swimming Club circa February 1905
London Clarion Swimming Club
A New Venture
18th June 1937 from the Tribune
A new venture which should interest your readers in London, is the Clarion Swimming Club. This group now have well over a 100 members, who meet every .Wednesday at the Haggerston Swimming Baths.
They have the use of a clubroom which is attached to the bath, and here, from 8 to 10.15 p.m. comrades can dance, play ping-pong or darts, and amuse themselves in many other ways.
From 8.30 to 9.30 they, swim, and even have instructors to teach the unenlightened.
The whole evening costs only 6d., which compares very favourably with ordinary swimming, I understand that all comrades living reasonably near are invited to go along on a Wednesday evening to try it—if they cannot swim, the clubroom is at their disposal.
Stoke Newington. Sam Roth.
