Southam Singers

The choir has a busy rehearsal schedule for Christmas concerts and is supporting the Wood Street Congregational Church’s 175th anniversary celebrations in Southam in October.

Now in its 17th year, the Swimathon is organised by the Soroptimists of Leamington and Warwick and Kenilworth, and has raised nearly £160,000 for local charities. The Warwickshire Young Carers’ Project and the local branch of Parkinson’s UK carers are the two charities to benefit from sponsorship raised by this year’s swim. Organisers say it is not too late to enter a team. A team consists of six swimmers and a non-swimming captain. Team members swim a lap (two lengths) in relay and each team has 55 minutes’ swimming time. Teams are encouraged to adopt nautical or fishy names: Janet’s Jellyfish, Belles and Buoys , Neptune’s Newts are just some of those chosen in the past.

Swimathon bookings officer Gillian Ingham said: “Teams ranging from scouts to solicitors have entered over the years plus schools, service organisations, hospital and care services, church groups, choirs and stores.”

She added “ Olympic prowess is not needed, just swim at your own pace.”

Although the Swimathon is not a competition, there are trophies to be won. The Soroptimist Diamond Jubilee cup goes to the team raising the most sponsorship and the Courier and Kenilworth Weekly News cup to the team swimming the most laps.

For an entry form email [email protected] or call 492226.