Wimborne Wagtails
Swimming Club for the Disabled
September Swim Challenge
This event was a great success with 27 swimmers taking part to raise funds for the Club. Nearly 2,000 lengths were swum in total with the top lengths swum by Oscar, Jack, Sam and Harry. Many swimmers completed a mile (64 lengths) - Sarah, Laura, Polly, Eleanor, Greg, Rebecca, Torin, Steve, Luke D and Luke O. Well done to everyone for taking part - a fantastic achievement.
The celebration party on the 24th included a fun swim and then a delicious lunch with presentations, raffle and goodies.
September 2022
The Canford School Summer Fair
Wagtails joined this very busy Fair for the first time this year and raised £71. Many thanks to Sarah, Laura and Trudy for helping to run the stall.
Alex
August 2022
Folk Festival Wimborne
Wagtails joined other local charities for the popular Minster Green Fair at The Folk Festival. It was a successful day for fundraising and Club awareness and £90 was raised from the tombola, lucky dip and sale of other items. Many thanks to Amy and Laura for helping to run the stall.
Alex
June 2022
AGM
The 2021 AGM took place on zoom on 27th May 2021 attended by the committee and 4 Wagtails members.
The main news reported was as follows:
A brief summary of the activities over the past year (to 31/03/21) in this COVID year.
Chairman's report: -
We are sadly losing Jacqui as one of our swim coaches. She has done amazing work for Wagtails over her 5 years with the Club including negotiating a great deal on pool hire, increasing our pool time, training swimmers and obtaining funds from Award for All.
Our swimmers have coped well with the new COVID rules in the 3 months we were allowed to swim. Liz will be standing down at the end of the year after 20 years service!
Elsie sadly passed away in February at 93. Helen suggested we dedicate a cup in her name to an older swimmer.
We have welcomed 4 new swimmers and have a potential waiting list of 7 - mostly children.
The future of QE is uncertain but we will keep you informed.
Treasurer's report of the annual accounts which showed a loss of nearly £71. With no swim income we were lucky to get donations of £692. Some restricted funds (£793) were used for swim hire and tablets. With nearly £9,500 in the bank we are in a good postion (£2,500 of these funds are however restricted). The new £5 a month swim charge has been taken on by 24 swimmers and if 30 were to sign up that would cover the cost of the pool hire (£150 per month). Going forward we would need to hold a sponsored swim event when swimming is back to normal.
Election of officers all as per last year:
Julian Vernon - Chairman.
Sarah McDonald - Vice chair
Alex Tuckey - Treasurer and Secretary
Ros Barton - Safeguarding Officer
David Allen - PR Officer
All these postions were voted in.
Minutes of AGM and accounts are available on request - contact Alex.
May 2021
AGM
The 2020 AGM took place on zoom on 16th May 2020 attended by the committee and 10 Wagtails members.
The main news reported was as follows:
A brief summary of the activities over the past year (to 31/03/20) so mostly pre corona virus. With the main change being the hire of the pool directly from QE enabling exclusive use for Wagtails on Saturday mornings.
Treasurer's report of the annual accounts which showed an excess of nearly £600. With nearly £10,000 in the bank we are in a good postion (£3,300 of these funds are however restricted). However the pool hire is now a fixed cost so when the pool re-opens we are liable for the cost regardless of how many swimmers use the pool.
Announcement that the Club will fund free swimming for 5 months from when the pool re-opens. This is to enable swimmers to return swimming when they feel it is safe for them. Also there will be no membership fees currently due.
When the pool re-opens we will be guided by QE and government guidance as to how we can provide social distancing and make the swimming as safe as possible.
Election of officers:
Jacqui Sainsbury resigned as Chairman and Trustee. Julian Vernon took over as Chairman.
Alex Tuckey resigned as Vice Chair. Sarah McDonald took over this role.
Alex Tuckey to remain as Treasurer and Secretary.
Ros Barton to reamin as Safeguarding Officer.
David Allen to remain as PR Officer.
All these postions were voted in.
Minutes of AGM and accounts are available on request - contact Alex.
May 2020
Santa Fun Run and stall at Wimborne
This year the annual fundraising event organised by the Rotary Club took place in Wimborne. Good weather prevailed but there was a definite lack of fellow Santas and the Wagtails team made up half the runners! Our team joined in the spirit of it and ended in the square with a well deserved hot drinks at The Kings Head.
Many thanks to Hayley, Greg, Laura, Lisa, David, Jack, Di, Sam, Luke and Paul. Last year over £800 was raised so this is a very important event for the Club.
We were also able to have a fundraising and Club awareness stall in the square this year. We raised £153 from this (which also included money collected from all of our tins). Thanks to Greg, Hayley, Laura, Ros and Sarah for helping on the stall and David for doing very well in Shapwick shaking the Wagtails tin around. Alex.
December 2019
Wagtails at The Bournemouth Marathon
Wagtails manned a water station at The Bournemouth Marathon Festival for the second year. Over 2,000 runners passed through the station and again we had a wonderful day if a little windy. £210 was raised for the Club from this event. Thanks to Hayley, Ros, Laura, Alex, Mark, Greg and Sarah.
"Thank you it was a beautiful day - lots of fun." Ros
October 2019
Sailability
This wonderful event was hosted by Poole Sailabilty at Rockley Park Poole and enjoyed by Jemma, Brenda, Robbie, Lucy, Sarah, Robin and Laura.
"What a glorious Sailing experience! Conditions were near perfect and the Sailability crew had everything so well organised.
Our leaders Paddy and Peter were very informative and encouraging and after motoring out towards Arne the engine was cut and the sails were hoisted. Lucy and I took it in turns to take the tiller to steer the boat It was an amazing experience which we would love to repeat.
Thank you SO much Ossie and Di for organising such a wonderful event."
Jemma
July 2019
Stall at Farmival
£140 was raised from the tombola, lucky dip and sale of other items at our stall at Farmival at Sturts Farm. Thanks to Di, Ossie and Laura.
Alex
July 2019
Folk Festival Wimborne
Wagtails joined other local charities for the popular Minster Green Fair at The Folk Festival. It was a successful day for fundraising and Club awareness and £112 was raised from the tombola, lucky dip and sale of other items. Many thanks to Amy, Laura, Sarah and Jack for helping to run the stall. Also many thanks you to everyone who donated prizes.
Alex
June 2019
Hydrotherapy Session
Our second popular hydro session took place at the hydrotherapy pool at Victoria Sports
and Education College in February. Led by chairman and swim instructor Jacqui, members were guided though
a range of exercises, experienced flotation and relaxation techniques as well as swimming.
Thanks to Jacqui for organising and running the session and to Rita, Amy and Paul for helping. The feedback again was very positive.
February 2019
Santa Fun Run
This annual fundraising event took place at the point to point course at Badbury Rings Wimborne. We were luckier with the weather this year and no-one got blown over. Unfortunately The Rotary Club had had to pull out at the last moment from running the event so we decided to carry on regardless by ourselves. It all ran smoothly and we walked in two teams. Most impressively our youngest swimmer Jamie completed the course (with a little help from his Mum)! We followed all this with well deserved hot drinks and cakes at The Cloisters Cafe.
Many thanks to Hayley, Greg, Laura, Alex, Jack, Lucy, Steve, Sam, Liz B, Jamie, Kerry and Sinead. Last year over £800 was raised so this is a very important event for the Club.
December 2018
Charities Fair Wimborne
Wagtails joined over 30 local charities at The Charities Fair at the Allendale Centre operated by Wimborne in Bloom. The stand consisted of a lucky cards Tombola (from items donated by local businesses and members) and some Wagtails promotional items. £50 profit was made and thanks to Liz, Colin, Amy, Laura, Jack, Lucy, Liz and Julian for manning the stall.
November 2018
Wagtails at The Bournemouth Marathon
Wagtails were given a last minute opportunity to man a water station at The Bournemouth Marathon Festival on 7th October. 30 helpers were required but we managed 8 and with 4 others helping we successfully supplied the marathon runners with water and energy gels at the 18 mile mark. Over 2,000 runners passed through the station!
£165 was raised for the Club from this event. Thanks to Hayley, Ros, Laura, Alex, Mark, Katie, Bethan and Dot.
October 2018
First Aid Training
Funded by Big Lottery this full day course was very informative, covering CPR, use of a defibrillator and dealing with various injuries. 9 Wagtails members attended including swim teachers, club helpers and carers.
Assessment was made by observation and a written test at the end and I am please to report everyone passed. Well done everybody!
September 2018
Dreamboats Raft Race
The Dreamboats Wimborne raft race day gave the Wagtails awareness stand and gazebo it's second outing of the summer. Sales from Wagtails merchandise and the tombola raised £52.
Many thanks to Alex and helpers, Laura,
Amy and Lucy.
August 2018
Hydrotherapy Session
Our first session took place at the hydrotherapy pool at Victoria Sports and Education College. Led by chairman and swim instructor Jacqui, members were guided though a range of exercises, experienced flotation and relaxation techniques as well as swimming. Thanks to Jacqui for organising and running the session and to Rita and Ossie for helping.
Here is some feedback from members who attended:
The pool was fabulous!
Warmth relieves muscle pain.
The hoist was beneficial to me.
Plenty of people to ask advice of.
Thoroughly enjoyed it.
It was relaxing & also very good for building up my strength.
It was very helpful to our members.
The heated water was a relief for sore muscles and enjoyed the structured exercises given by Jacqui.
Although I had not swam for eight years, everything came back to me as if it were only last week. I saw and received great benefit from the exercises set out for us. So, if we are lucky enough to get another session in the future, I would thoroughly recommend it to anyone is able to attend. Naturally, including myself.
August 2018
Waitrose Community Matters cheque presentation.
Wagtails were delighted to be chosen as one of the recipients of the Waitrose Community Matters green token scheme for March. Members were invited to the Wimborne store to be presented with a cheque for £462.
July 2018
Folk Festival Wimborne
Wagtails joined other local charities for the first time at The Minster Green Fair at The Folk Festival. It was a very successful day for fundraising and Club awareness. Many thanks to Amy, Laura, David and Diane for helping to run the stall £137 was raised. We were able to use our new Gazebo, bought for such events. Thank you to everyone who donated prizes.
June 2018
Presentations
Co-op Community Fund - £4,323 presentation at Bentley's by Steve and Gemma Manager and Assistant Manager Co-op Wimborne.
Louis Ross Foundation - £1,235 presentation by Penny Ross at the Santa Fun Run.
Douch & Small - £500 presentation at Bentley's by Tina Sartain Funeral Director.
December 2017
Santa Fun Run
This annual fundraising event took place at the point to point course at Badbury Rings Wimborne on a very cold, wet and blustery day on December. In spite of the challenging weather everyone finished the course so well done to all. The event was very well organised by The Rotary Club at Wimborne.
This year 13 Wagtails ran for the Club - so many thanks to David, Hayley, Greg, Jacqui, Laura, Alex, Jack, Amy, Lucy, Steve, Kerry, Diane and Layla. Last year over £1,000 was raised so this is a very important event for the Club.
Penny Ross of The Louis Ross Foundation handed over her recent donation to the Club. Many thanks.
December 2017
Charities Fair Wimborne
Wagtails joined over 30 local charities at The Charities Fair at the Allendale Centre operated by Wimborne in Bloom. The stand consisted of a lucky cards Tombola (from items donated by local businesses and members) and some Wagtails promotional items. £100 profit was made and thanks to Liz, Diane, Amy, Lucy, Liz and Julian for manning the stall.
November 2017
Cherry Tree Plant Sale Day
The Club had a stall at the popular Cherry Tree Nursery Plant Sale Day. £65 was raised from the tombola and the Club was able to promote its services to a wide group of people. Cherry Tree proved work opportunities for adults with mental health issues.
September 2017
The Club held a Consultation Meeting at the newly opened Café at QE Leisure Centre on Saturday 17th June after a swim session. Over 40 members came in to share a sandwich lunch and hear the latest Club news. Jacqui Sainsbury was announced as the new Chairperson and she described the Club’s new affiliation with the STA (Swimming Teachers’ Association). There will now be the opportunity to complete distance and swimming awards.
A questionnaire was handed out to gather members’ opinions on the Club – this information from which will be used for fundraising bids and to improve the Club’s services.
Consultation Event
June 2017
Elsie celebrated her 90th birthday at The British Legion in Wimborne with many of her Wagtail friends. There was a magnificent cake depicting her in the pool. Elsie, an ex Chairperson, has been a member of Wagtails for over 20 years and has competed in numerous Galas notching up 96 medals! She was presented with a montage picture celebrating her time with Wagtails.
February 2017
Elsie's 90th Birthday Party
Santa Fun Run
This annual fundraising event took place at the point to point course at Badbury Rings Wimborne on a beautiful sunny day in December. This was a major fundraising event for the Club and raised £1,365.
The event was very well organised by The Rotary Club at Wimborne.
This year 10 Wagtails ran for the Club - so many thanks to David, Rebecca, Hayley, Sharon, Laura, Luke and his parents, Lucy, Robyn, Jack and Sam.
All the Wagtails joined in the spirit or the event and some even ran the circuit twice including Rebecca who stripped off her Santa suit after the first run. She resisted the hurdles maybe not seeing them through her sunglasses!
December 2016
Charities Fair Wimborne
For the first time Wagtails joined over 30 local charities at The Charities Fair at the Allendale Centre operated by Wimborne in Bloom. The stand consisted of the ever popular Tombola (from items donated by local businesses and members), some Christmas stocking fillers and some Wagtails promotional items. Over £130 profit was made and useful contacts made.
November 2016
Santa Fun Run
For the first time Wagtails joined 100 other Santas at Badbury Rings for the annual Fun Run organised by the Rotary Club. 4 Wagtails entered and they raised £600 so thanks to David, Hayley, Laura and Sharon. There was a terrific atmosphere and it was quite a sight watching the Santas complete the 2 mile point to point course.
December 2015
Charity Party
On 16th July 2015 Wimborne Wagtails Swimming Club for the Disabled officially became a charity (a CIO a Charitable Incorporated Organisation). The Club celebrated after a swim session with a shared lunch and were joined by Annette Brooke our President. There will be opportunities now to apply for funds as a charity and claim gift aid.
July 2015