LINKS: FOREWORD, 1, ORNAMENTAL SWIMMING, PROGRAMS,  2,  3,  4,  5,  6,  7,  8,  9,  10,  11, 12, NEWS

Ornamental swimming was a popular exhibition event at local galas during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, sometimes known as scientific swimming, its prime purpose was to demonstrate less common swimming skills.

At the opening gala at Tyldesley Pool on 22nd July 1876, Messrs. Reynolds and Boardman of Bolton Swimming Club, gave a display of ornamental swimming and double floating.  The pair also gave a Grand Exhibition of Ornamental Swimming at the Tyldesley Swimming Club’s Grand Swimming Fete on 30th June 1877. An advert for the fete in a local newspaper lists the following for the exhibition:

 “Motion, less floating; double floating; sculling on the back – feet first; ditto, head first; sculling on the breast, feet first; swimming like a duck; swimming without using arms; swimming with one leg up on the back; walking round the head on the surface of the water; representation of E. P. Weston* in deep water; swimming the length of the baths on the back, with push and two strokes; long plunge; the water pyramids; spinning like a top; revolving head over heels on the surface of the water; forming star, dying gladiator; saving each other; waiting for help; new game of leap frog on the water; swimming each other; one in distress.

*E. P. Weston was a renowned long distance walker of the period.

From within Tyldesley Swimming Club the Dugmore and Tyldesley families were accomplished ornamental swimmers.

On 26^th September 1877 John Thomas Dugmore and Ralph Tyldesley (Snr) gave a display of ornamental and scientific swimming at the club’s Grand Swimming Entertainment.

Thomas and Addin also performed an exhibition of ornamental swimming at the club’s Grand Swimming Gala on 21^st July 1886.  This gala also featured a Grand Exhibition of Ornamental Swimming by Mrs S Oldham of Leigh and ornamental and scientific swimming by Professor Dugmore (it is assumed that this was actually either John or Thomas Dugmore).

The Eleventh Annual Swimming Gala on 15^th September 1886 and a Grand Swimming Gala on 3^rd November 1886 featured an exhibition of ornamental swimming by Thomas and Addin plus an exhibition by Miss E Foulds (daughter of Dr Foulds – a vice president of Tyldesley SC?).  The programme for 3^rd November states that “Prizes for Ornamental Swimming have been given by Mr John Hardman, bookseller and Mr B. Hunt fruiterer”.

A letter dated 188- by Ralph Tyldesley for issue to other swimming clubs states:

“I beg to introduce to your notice the names of Masters Addin Tyldesley and Thomas Dugmore of Tyldesley (Amateurs) as ornamental and scientific Swimmers.  Their feats in notation both numerous and difficult have been both numerous and difficult, have been exhibited before some of the most pronounced authorities on aquatic matters whose opinions have been highly gratifying in the extreme.  Often have they come under the leading notice of the sporting newspapers and the “Sporting Chronicle” - - a reliable authority - - has more than once held them up to the public as being really worth seeing.  With such credentials I take the liberty to draw your attention to the fact, as no doubt you will be a holding a Gala shortly.”

Appended was a list of their previous engagements:

“Manchester (New Islington Baths), Twice; St Helens, Twice; Salford and Leigh, Twice; Rochdale, Once; Sowerby Bridge (Yorkshire), Twice; Kendal, Once; Wigan, Pendleton, Stockport, Darwen, Once; and at Tyldesley many times.

A letter from Thomas Unsworth, Secretary of Leigh (Bedford Church) Swimming Club to Elizabeth dated September 1 1901 enquires what her terms would be to provide a display of ornamental swimming with her partner Miss Evans at their annual gala. A second letter from Thomas Unsworth dated September 10 advises Elizabeth to “consider yourselves engaged for our gala on October 15^th as your terms are quite satisfactory”.  Unfortunately it is not known what Elizabeth’s terms were.

At the Annual Gala on 23^rd September 1903 a Grand Display of Ornamental Swimming was performed by Mrs Burnstill Teacher of the Ladies Swimming Club.

The above information was taken from the Tyldesley Swimming and Water Polo Clubs archives with additional information provided by Thomas Dugmore’s grandson Duncan “Dug” Dugmore.  To view programs listed above go to Early Gala Programmes page.

Footnote: Thomas Dugmore moved to Birmingham, got married in 1903 and worked as an engineer at a local swimming pool.  Thomas is not recorded in any of the programmes listed above as a competitor in the races though his father competed in the Fourth Class 2 Lengths race on 8^th September 1877.  He did however win the “The Islington Grosvenor All Round Championship Cup” (not Tyldesley Swimming Club) in 1904, 1905 and 1906 and was allowed to keep the cup.