About Us

Our Swimming Club

Based in East Dorset, Wimborne Wagtails is a local club offering swimming, water therapy, swim awards, galas and social activities to people with a wide range of disabilities and health conditions.  
We became a charity in 2015. 

We welcome members who have a disability, (physical, learning or hidden), who are recovering from an operation or illness or have a health condition which would benefit from swimming.

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We are open to members of all ages and their supporting family, carers and friends.

We also have a small volunteer team of trained swim teachers and swim helpers to assist in the water, subject to availability.

Trustees and Club Organisers

Julian Vernon - Chairman

Sarah McDonald - Vice Chair

Alexandra Tuckey - Treasurer & Secretary

David Allen - PR Officer

Ros Barton - Safeguarding

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Liz Burrows - Swim Teacher

Rita Mathews - Swim Teacher

Michelle Wilcox - Swim Teacher

Di and Ossie Osborne - Swim Helpers

Julian Vernon - Meet and Greet
 

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Latest News

Swim venue and times 

We swim every Saturday at

Queen Elizabeth Leisure Centre

Blandford Road

Wimborne  BH21 4DT

11.15am  - 1.15pm

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Swimming News 

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We are now back swimming regularly at QE and it is great to see our regular swimmers benefitting from their swims. 

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We have 2 sessions running (at 11.15 and 12.15).  All swimmers have their allocated session and lane.

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The first session will have 3 lanes in place for lane swimming and will suit those who prefer a quieter swim.  The second session will have one lane in place for lane swimming and then the pool is open.  This is suitable for the children with their carers and those who prefer a more open swimming session.

New swimmers

We have recently had a influx of new swimmers including many children which is lovely. 

Welcome to our new youngest swimmers twins Oscar and Harry, Isaac, Rebecca and Tyler.  Also welcome to Amelia, Margaret, Charlotte, Diane, Wendy, Polly, Torin, Jackie, Sean and Jo.

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We are delighted to add a new swimming teacher to our team - Michelle.

Newsletter

Our Autumn newsletter is now available.

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Recent News

QE consultation

As you may have already have heard Dorset Council has propsed withdrawing from funding QE Leisure Centre.  This would be devasting for our Club as we have swum successfully here for nearly 30 years. We have now sent in the Club's response and all your individual questionnaires. Click here to see the Club's testimonials. 

South Today

South Today came to QE on 30th Oct to interview several of our swimmers and to film our Club in action.  This was to  raise awareness of the importance of Wagtails to the disabled community and the necessity to keep QE open.  

You can see the clip on iplayer now:  

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m00118jp/spotlight-lunchtime-news-04112021

Social Events

Our first social since lockdown was a  great success - see social page.  The next cream tea on 27th November will be a memorial tea to remember Elsie who passed away in February this year 3 days short of her 94th birthday.  

The Xmas party is planned for 11th December at Holt Village Hall from 1.00.  We plan a fun swim session in the morning.

Farewell to Jacqui and Liz

We will sadly say farewell to 2 of our swim coaches this year.  Jacqui left earlier this year after 5 years and 3 as Chairman and Liz will retire in December after 20 years service.  They have both contributed a huge amount to the Club and will be sorely missed.