10:19am Thursday 3rd July 2008
By Joe Ware
Swimming: Calne Alpha Four are making a splash with a return to action, 18 months after the club was disbanded.
The swimming club was closed whilst the White Horse Leisure Centre was refurbished and reborn in its new guise as Calne Leisure.
Club coach Mark Cannings explained how the road back was a long one. He said: "After the leisure centre shut the club stopped operating and the members left for other swimming clubs.
"It's been a long hard job getting it up and running again but we now have 30 to 35 swimmers and are looking to grow bigger.
He added: "I used to spend hours watching my daughter Louise when she was in the club and I thought it was shame that no-one took up the task of rebuilding the club. It's been a big effort from lots of volunteers. We posted flyers, put up posters, went round the schools and it's also spread through word of mouth."
The club is some way from competing regularly in galas but is building a group of keen young swimmers.
Cannings said: "Before the closure we had success in competitions but that was before our swimmers left for other clubs. We're looking at competing again in two years time.
"At the moment our training is about improving the technique of our swimmers.
"We're fortunate that some of our old swimmers have come back to help teach including teenagers Seb Shipway and Toby Levy from John Bentley School.
"We currently train Thursdays 7pm till eight and the leisure centre has offered us another hour.
"Anybody, of any age is welcome to join as long as they are a capable swimmer."
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