Here you can view emails & testimonials we have received from previous members of the club.
If you are a past club member we would love you to get in touch with us using the contact page.
If anyone has any old photos of the club, please send them in and we will put them up for everyone to see.
Subject: Merton Partnership Civic Pride Volunteer Awards 2023
Harry Green has been at the heart of our local swimming club in the borough of Merton for over four decades. Despite his age and ongoing health challenges, his unwavering dedication to the club is nothing short of remarkable. Not only does he ensure the club runs smoothly, but he also supports the swimmers in various ways, both in and out of the pool.
Harry goes above and beyond by organising group outings for the swimmers, fostering camaraderie and lasting friendships among them. It’s heartwarming to see former swimmers, now grandparents themselves, entrusting their grandchildren to Harry’s capable hands, knowing that he’s still at the helm of the club.
In addition to coaching, Harry encourages ex-swimmers to pursue lifeguarding and coaching qualifications, often generously funding their training courses. His commitment to personal development is evident in his ongoing pursuit of new swimming courses to stay current in the field.
At the core of Harry’s coaching philosophy is his belief that no swimmer is a lost cause, regardless of their skill level. His passion, dedication, and impact on generations of swimmers make him a deserving candidate for the local council award for long-serving volunteers.
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From: Sergio Davison
Date: Fri, Apr 14, 2023
Hi Harry,
I was a member with you when you had that shop in Raynes Park in 1980 with my friend Paul.We went to Wimbledon College and we had to put up with the two Johns giving us stick saying we were posh.John Smith and his mate John.Good memories of that old bus you drove us in!
Thanks for the memories and putting us with kids playing up you were very patient.Still enjoy swimming now thanks to you!
Kind regardsJames Mayo
From: James Mayo
Date of Posting :05-April 2024
Hello Harry,
I spent many happy years with Merton Pisces Swimming Club. I used to practise twice a week plus weekends where we would concentrate on stroke, distance and speed improvement. You had to work hard – but it was rewarding.
Harry encouraged us to participate in galas which provided a great sense of achievement and the Club Xmas Galas were always great fun. I really enjoyed the Club days out and visits to the Olympic Pool and the PGL water-based holidays were brilliant. It was a great community atmosphere.
Thank you Harry – none of that would have been possible without all your hard work and commitment in making Pisces such a fantastic club to be part of. When you’re part of this club, you don’t just learn to swim, you make friends and become a better person. I wish you and Pisces all the very best for the future.
Jack Smither
From: Jack Smither
Date of leaving the club:31 July 2017
Hello Harry,
I’m not sure if you will remember me. I swam with the club in the late 80s with my sister Nancy and my brother Adam. Mandy would have been about 16.
I often tell my children about my swimming club and the galas we used to go to and the trips to the Isle of Wight where I broke my tooth break dancing!! Badly!!
I was looking at the website and saw the old photos. I remember stopping for fish and chips!
Well, I just wanted to say hello and wish you a belated happy birthday!
Thanks for all the good times!Lisa Parsons (nee Bennett)
From: Lisa Parsons (nee Bennett)
Date :13 April 2023
Hi Harry,
Not sure if you will remember me (Kai)or my older brother Jonathan but we both swam with Pisces for a number of years in the late 90’s early 00’s.
What you ingrained in us gave us a love (well a love/ hate relationship) for swimming, we both competed in triathlons (all distances including iron-man) although Jonathan made a career of it racing professionally across the world for a number of years while I was only a competitive age group athlete over all distances.
I am now living over in Perth Australia and married with a daughter, living only 15 mins from the beach I don’t get in the water half as much as I should do but still love to get out and do some open water swimming from time to time (if I can dodge the sharks.)
It’s great to see how the club is still going and by all accounts built on the same morals as it was over 20 years ago when I was swimming for you. It even looks like the cost has stayed pretty much the same!
It’s great to know the next generation is in good hands and will be taught by you and the team you have there, I am so grateful for the techniques you taught me, even if you made us do 250 meters of kick for warm-ups!
Pleased to see you fit and well!
Thanks again for the happy memories.
Kai Voss
From: Kai Voss
Date: Unknown
Hi Harry
I swam with Merton Pisces from age 6-18, starting in 1999. I left when I went to university and I am now working as a doctor in Devon.
Just wanted to express my gratitude to Harry and everyone who has made Merton Pisces what it is. I have many a fond memory of the training sessions, the galas and the trips we used to go on. It wasn’t just the swimming I enjoyed but it was amazing to be part of a team, and to make so many good friends there.
I don’t swim as much these days, but I think all the training as a kid has definitely made it easier for me to keep fit as an adult!
Great to see that the club is doing so well and I’m sure it will be going strong for many years to come. If I ever move back to London with kids of my own, I know I’ll be taking them to Merton Pisces!
Dr Chris Grayson
From: Dr Chris Grayson
Date: Unknown
Hi Harry
How are you? Its been a very long time. I remember us living down the same road lol… I came to the website as I was seeing if you were on facebook. Its good that you have a section for past members.
I keep in contact with Lea on facebook. I’m now married with 2 daughters who love swimming. Living in Devon which has been brilliant for us. Remember Karen my sister she is now a swimming instructor and is doing well. I will always remember the trips to London to see the lights, I hope you still do that lol… Its been great writing this.
All the best and take care.
Helen
From: Helen
Date: Unknown
Dear Harry
I’m not sure if you remember me, its Claire Turland (Although I am now married hence the different surname). My son Benjamin is now a member of a local swim school and I was chatting to one of the teachers about looking to gain my ASA level 1 qualification. I was reviewing the ASA website and then I stumbled across your website and the email from Dax. I too was pleased to see that not much has changed, apart from the size of the transport! It was good to know that you continue to teach youngsters not only a valuable skill, but I am sure they continue to have as much fun as we did and then will go on to treasure there memories.
I have been living in Andover in Hampshire since 2001, I am now married and have a son, Benjamin who is 5 years and a daughter, Lily Rose who is 3.5 months. I really hope that they will enjoy the benefits of learning to swim and the friendship and values that being a club member can bring. I certainly still hold a passion for the sport, enough to want to be able to pass it on to others, including my own children.
Thank you for all that you did for me back then – I have not forgotten it and I still smile to myself when thinking about the memories I hold of my time at the club.
It would be great to hear from anyone that remembers me.
Take care and thanks again,
Claire Hewlett (Turland)
From: Claire Hewlett (Turland)
Date: Unknown
Hi Harry
A long time has passed since we last spoke, I have been living in Australia for the last 8 years, and I have moved to Japan in the last year.
I have just visited your website out of sheer curiosity and was amazed to find that apart from down-sizing the bus it seems that not much has changed.
I often speak with Kai and occasionally John and Steff – I was back in England in February for a week and caught up with Rob Naylor and Steffie for a couple of beers.
I often see Kai, I lived round the corner from him for the last 4 years and will see him when I go back to AUS next week. I’m sure our names are historical and old news now that you have some excellent young charges to focus on.
I have gotten back to a bit of swimming and also just starting some coaching for adults who can’t swim.I hope you are well Harry, and if anyone you think I may know is still associated with the club please say hello to them too.
Thanks for everything you did for me as a kid, I probably didn’t appreciate it back then but I do now, your influence and coaching have more relevance to my life than anything I learned at school.
Best Regards,
Dax Cowan
From: Dax Cowan
Date: Unknown