A pillar of the swimming community was remembered at the second Allen Urch Memorial Open Meet.

Allen, who died in 2022, started coaching with SSC around 1966 — remaining there for 50 years.

A former Notts ASA president and an official at Nottinghamshire County Championships and Nationals, Allen refereed at Commonwealth Games and Olympic trials.

In 2012, he received a diploma for his commitment to the sport from the International Olympic Committee, and was also made a MBE by Prince Charles.

Sutton Swimming Club (SSC) hosted the event to remember its former coach — and again raise awareness of dementia, presenting Dementia UK with £500.

The meet, again held at Alfreton Leisure Centre, attracted competitors from nine swimming clubs — Sutton, Mansfield, Hucknall, Ripley Rascals, Carlton Forum, Arnold, Bramcote, Kimberley, Repton, and Calverton and Bingham.

There were 50m and 100m races across the four strokes, together with the 100m individual medley, and mixed team relays in freestyle and medley in four age groups.

Personal bests were set as parents, old and new, volunteered in many roles on the day.

Allen’s daughter, Judith Graves, presented medals to the top six finishers in each event.

Trophies were given to:
Top Visiting Club — Mansfield. Top Male — Harry Smith (Mansfield). Top Female — Charley Butlin (SSC). Top Junior Male — Frank Bower (Mansfield) and Reuben Flint (Kimberley). Top Junior Female — Fox Hibberd (Mansfield).

Four SSC members were presented with special club swim caps for gaining qualifying times to swim at the British Summer Championships and Swim England National Summer Championships at the end of July.

They were Aurelia Wawrzyniewicz (three National times), Joel Harby (two British and three National times), Thomas Swales (eight British and two National times), and Ethan Potter (one British and one National time).

Pictured with head coach Simon Hill are Aurelia Wawrzyniewicz and Joel Harby.