PAT CHARLES IS WEST SWIMMING SPRINT CHAMPION (draft)
PAT CHARLES IS WEST SWIMMING SPRINT CHAMPION
The headline above was in the Bristol Evening Post July 25 1958, when Barton Hill’s, Pat Charles successfully defended her Western Counties free -style swimming championship at Plymouth against strong opposition. Pat was an extraordinary talented swimmer who deserves a great more recognition.
On March 8 2024 a new film was released called Vindication Swim. The film tells the story of a remarkable swimmer called Mercedes Gleitze. Mercedes was the first woman to swim the English Channel using a variety of breast stroke, side stroke and front crawl. This story inspired research into Barton Hill’s front crawl champion Pat Charles.
Patricia Charles was born 27 September 1936. Her parents were Henry and Gwyneth Charles and they lived at 2 Brougham Street Barton Hill. The 1939 register states that Pat lived there with her siblings Ivy, Gwyneth Junior, and Alfred. Within a few years Brougham Street, off Beaufort Road, was to be demolished, like most of central Barton Hill for the so-called Slum Clearance Scheme.
Pat attended Avonvale School and then Redfield Girls School. It seems that Pat was a talented swimmer from the age of nine. The Bristol Times and Mirror June 3 1949 wrote that “ Twelve and half year-old Pat Charles enhanced her reputation she was building up over the last three years. “ Pat won the one length final for under 13’s, by representing Central Bristol, who were based at Broad Weir Baths. Her winning time was faster than the boys! Pat won the gala event again in 1950. In September she was representing Bristol against Swindon. By October 1950 she was the Gloucestershirefreestyle champion!
At the age 17, Pat won the individual freestyle and team Inter City Championship for Bristol. The Bristol Evening Post in December 1953 covered a story when Pat (and others) was on a broadcast on BBC TV in representing the West against Wales in the relay team. The Bristol Evening Post wrote that in 1953 Pat was presented with the Central Bristol PresidentsCup for women.
In June 1955 Pat set a new Gloucestershire County record for the 100m freestyle in winning the intercity team race against Newport at the annual youth gala at Broad Weir Baths. Councillor Pullin is seen congratulating Pat, who was also captain of the team.
Pat’s coach was George Daniel Jones. George founded BristolCentral Swimming Club in 1937. He dedicated his life toswimming from 1937 to 1969. There is even a George Jones Memorial trophy that is awarded to the highest ranked junior female swimmer in the 200m backstroke at the annual national winter championship. George was also the SchoolBoard officer for Barton Hill who checked on truancy! However, George is most famous for the time he climbed the Gasometer in St. Philips to remove two incendiary bombsduring an air raid. He was awarded the George Cross and today there is a street named after him with a well-deserved plaque.
George would regularly write the swimming notes for the Bristol Evening Post and the Green Un. The Green Un May 5 1956 had the headline WELL DONE PAT! At a major tournament Pat had competed against two former Olympiansand came a close third.
By October 1956 Pat’s reputation continued to rise when she represented Bristol Central at the Nancy Reich Memorial Trophy in Sunderland for clubs and towns across the country. Her development continued in April 1957 when she represented Bristol Central in a trial to represent Britainagainst Holland. Again, this was televised by the BBC. In June 1957 Pat represented Bristol Central in the ladies’ team race in the Western Counties ASA tournament. This was repeated in October 1958. In June 1961 the Bristol EveningPost covered the Gloucestershire County championship for the 400 yards. “ The experienced Pat Charles immediatelywent to the front and won in 6mins 12.sec. “
In June 1962 Pat officiated her first WaterPolo match. George Jones wrote the “ Charley” did her job confidently and efficiently. He went on to write that she was no mean water polo player and had captained Bristol Central for many years.
The last newspaper reference is very intriguing. The Bristol Evening Post October 30 1967 under the heading FIREWORK GANG STRIKE AT GALA CARS. One car that was damaged belonged to PatCharles, a former international swimmer of Tilly Road Westbury on Trym. So, did Pat represent England or Britain?
What a very talented brilliant swimmer Pat Charles was. Hopefully this story will be help us understand and appreciate more about the achievements of Barton Hill women like Pat Charles.
Garry Atterton
March 2024
