Mervyn RowlesJust before Christmas we received the very sad news that our much loved teacher Mervyn Rowles had passed away peacefully at St. Peter’s Hospice. Some of you may have been aware that Mervyn had been unwell for some time, but true to form he refused to give up his love of teaching and seeing the improvement in his swimmers, staying active at Swim School on a Thursday evening up until a couple of months ago. Mervyn loved this club and together with his late wife Maureen had given about 60 years of dedication to it, as a parent; teacher; committee member; past chairman and serving President; he knew this club in every aspect. Mervyn never liked to turn children away from BHSC and tried to include every one. He also had a great drive to get new swimmers into the club and parents on the poolside helping out. We tried to work out how many children had learnt to swim because of Mervyn; it must be thousands. The first children he taught would now be aged 30 plus and with children of their own, many with the love of a sport that one gentle man put in place with a smile on his face, happy heart and a twinkle in his eye. When thinking back none of us could remember seeing Mervyn swim or taking a dip in the pool after a gala; he always seemed to be missing at that vital moment so we don’t know if he could swim, although if he was asked he would no doubt of smiled and moved on to another subject. It is therefore with thanks and many fond memories that we bid farewell to a dear friend and a tireless servant of Bristol Henleaze Swimming Club; our thoughts and condolences go out to his family. |