Stalybridge Amateur Swimming Club has been exchanging visits with the swimming club in Armentières (SOA Natation) for 44 years.
The exchanges started in 1965 and went from strength to strength. One year, swimmers from Stalybridge visit Armentières, usually during the May Bank Holiday weekend; the following year, swimmers from Armentières visit Stalybridge, and so on.
Each year, a friendly competition is organised by the home club on one of the days. On the other day, there are trips out together in the area, opportunities for shopping, and social events for everyone to enjoy.
Clearly, an exchange that has continued for 44 years is a very successful one indeed. Over the generations, strong and lasting links have been formed, with parents and families of swimmers also exchanging private visits at one time.
Recently, the exchange has had storms to weather: At the beginning of the new millenium, the old pool in Armentières was demolished and a new one built, which opened in 2002. Very soon, it was clear that there were structural defects in the new pool and it had to close. The closure was a long one, as the first attempt to repair the problem was not successful. During the long closure, the swimming club in Armentières could not function as such. It held training sessions for its members as and when possible, using pools in neighbouring towns, but the terms were not easy and club members were lost. Although the pool in Armentières has now been functioning again for just over two years, the club recognises that it will take a long time for its membership to reach previous levels.
So there have been some years recently when the Stalybridge swimmers have continued to visit Armentières under difficult circumstances, and to receive swimmers from a club depleted in its members. We congratulate them on their perseverance in these difficult times, and hope that the exchange will soon be able to thrive fully once more.
Visit Stalybridge Amateur Swimming Club's site at www.stalybridgeswimclub.org.uk
Visit the site of the pool in Armentières at www.recrea.fr/calyssia (you can click a link there to see a video of activities at the pool).
Calyssia, the name of the new pool in Armentières, is connected with the name of Calypso, who was one of the Nereids (sea nymphs) in Greek mythology. However, the name Calyssia is cleverly adapted to include the name of the river, the Lys, that runs through Armentières.
Click on the attachment below to read an article on the progress of Armentières Swimming Club since the re-opening of the pool.
© emm - svta 2009 |