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Collection of 5 Victorian Swimming Medals to Joseph Collard.1868-1870. President Of The SERPENTINE Swimming Club.1893-1010. With research. Bought 1988 Simmons & Simmons.London. Paid £160.00.
Medal by W.J.Taylor.
Silver 38mm. Fixed Ring Suspension. Wt. 32g. Condition EF.
Obverse- Victoria and Albert facing lift within a wreath of roses and Thistles.
Reverse- Presented by the Serpentine Swimming Club, to Mr.J.Collard foe Swift Swimming June 24th.1868.Distance 600 yards.
Note J Collard is listed in the top left obtaining first place.
Medal by W.J.Taylor.
Medal by W.J.Taylor.
Medal by W.J.Taylor
J. J. Collard winning. Mr. R.Watson. Starter.
J. Collard won his medals in the 1860's then went on to be president from 1893-1910 as above.
History of the Serpentine:
History of the Serpentine:
The Serpentine and Home of our Swimming Club, is in the heart of this great Park.
The Serpentine and Home of our Swimming Club, is in the heart of this great Park.
Queen Caroline, Consort of George II, first had the idea of adding to the attractions of Hyde Park by creating a lake. So, in 1730, by the formation of several ponds, the Serpentine as we know it today, was born. The King believing the cost of its construction would be born by the Queen's own revenue consented, refusing to look at plans or details of the work to be undertaken. It was not until her death, sonic several years after its completion, did he suspect that with the aid of Walpole, the Head of State, she had expended some £20,000 from his Treasury.
Queen Caroline, Consort of George II, first had the idea of adding to the attractions of Hyde Park by creating a lake. So, in 1730, by the formation of several ponds, the Serpentine as we know it today, was born. The King believing the cost of its construction would be born by the Queen's own revenue consented, refusing to look at plans or details of the work to be undertaken. It was not until her death, sonic several years after its completion, did he suspect that with the aid of Walpole, the Head of State, she had expended some £20,000 from his Treasury.
The Queen probably gave the name Serpentine, due to slight curves in the original Westbourne stream, though doubtful, this is thought sufficient to justify its name. It took three years to complete, and two hundred men were employed on its construction. A darn was thrown across the river Westbourne as it entered the Park, the forming of a dyke enabling the excavation of tons of earth to create a great basin. The larger ponds were then drained and joined by further excavations, when the temporary dam was released, it formed the finest sheet of water in London.
The Queen probably gave the name Serpentine, due to slight curves in the original Westbourne stream, though doubtful, this is thought sufficient to justify its name. It took three years to complete, and two hundred men were employed on its construction. A darn was thrown across the river Westbourne as it entered the Park, the forming of a dyke enabling the excavation of tons of earth to create a great basin. The larger ponds were then drained and joined by further excavations, when the temporary dam was released, it formed the finest sheet of water in London.
The Serpentine obtained a supply of water from the Westbourne via a subterranean channel which passed under the Paddington Canal. Much later when building took place in the area sewage water found its way in, and by 1834 it had to be diverted into a sewer.
The Serpentine obtained a supply of water from the Westbourne via a subterranean channel which passed under the Paddington Canal. Much later when building took place in the area sewage water found its way in, and by 1834 it had to be diverted into a sewer.
By the end of 1733 the Serpentine was finished, although work continued for some years later, including the demolition of one of the 'Old Lodge's' on the north side of the Serpentine which had been in existence, since the reign of James 1, when it was known as the 'Grave Maurice's Head' and where the Duke of Hamilton was carried after his fatal duel with Lord Mohum in 1712.
By the end of 1733 the Serpentine was finished, although work continued for some years later, including the demolition of one of the 'Old Lodge's' on the north side of the Serpentine which had been in existence, since the reign of James 1, when it was known as the 'Grave Maurice's Head' and where the Duke of Hamilton was carried after his fatal duel with Lord Mohum in 1712.
The Serpentine then was much as we know it today. In 1826 Rennies Bridge was constructed dividing Hyde Park with Kensington Gardens. Today it marks the finish of the Club's Annual Bridge to Bridge race, the start being 1,000 yards away at the southern end of the lake; as it is affectionately known, The Dell. In the year 1870 the lake was drained, the bottom relaid, and the Island created, the S.S.C well established by now, made do with the Junction Canal.
The Serpentine then was much as we know it today. In 1826 Rennies Bridge was constructed dividing Hyde Park with Kensington Gardens. Today it marks the finish of the Club's Annual Bridge to Bridge race, the start being 1,000 yards away at the southern end of the lake; as it is affectionately known, The Dell. In the year 1870 the lake was drained, the bottom relaid, and the Island created, the S.S.C well established by now, made do with the Junction Canal.
It was not until 1929 that Mr George Lansbury as Commissioner of Works first suggested a bathing place in the Park, it aroused much opposition from public and press, who declared 'the peace and natural beauty of the Park were being endangered' for the privileged few. But despite criticism, work went ahead. Lansbury took samples of the water to George V and the King, personally, examined them through a microscope before giving his approval for the first lido to be constructed in a Royal Park. By the spring of 1930 the lido was completed and successfully opened to the public, at the 3d. a head. but again not without incident. Bathing then was still a sordid affair for eccentrics only, who were only permitted to do so before the hour of 10 a.m. in the summer months, to quote one National daily -- 'it has just been officially decreed that for the rest of the winter season, British citizens, the proud inheritors of the greatest Empire and Income Tax the world has ever seen, may not bathe in the Serpentine after 6.30 a.m. on weekdays or 9 a.m. on Sundays.'
It was not until 1929 that Mr George Lansbury as Commissioner of Works first suggested a bathing place in the Park, it aroused much opposition from public and press, who declared 'the peace and natural beauty of the Park were being endangered' for the privileged few. But despite criticism, work went ahead. Lansbury took samples of the water to George V and the King, personally, examined them through a microscope before giving his approval for the first lido to be constructed in a Royal Park. By the spring of 1930 the lido was completed and successfully opened to the public, at the 3d. a head. but again not without incident. Bathing then was still a sordid affair for eccentrics only, who were only permitted to do so before the hour of 10 a.m. in the summer months, to quote one National daily -- 'it has just been officially decreed that for the rest of the winter season, British citizens, the proud inheritors of the greatest Empire and Income Tax the world has ever seen, may not bathe in the Serpentine after 6.30 a.m. on weekdays or 9 a.m. on Sundays.'
This did not worry members of the S.S.C. unduly, except one Leo Fabian, who was caught red handed by a policeman at 9.02 a.m. on a Sunday morning. He was duly summoned and fined one shilling by the presiding magistrate, which emphasizes the importance of the crime.
This did not worry members of the S.S.C. unduly, except one Leo Fabian, who was caught red handed by a policeman at 9.02 a.m. on a Sunday morning. He was duly summoned and fined one shilling by the presiding magistrate, which emphasizes the importance of the crime.
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