The '30s were the heyday of river swimming.

But after the war, these clubs went into decline, as new municipal swimming pools sprang up across the country.

By the early 1990s, Farleigh was one of the few river swimming clubs remaining — and even they were under threat.

I know that Roger came here, because he writes about it in Waterlog.

- Roger Deakin, yes. - And he met you as well.

- Yeah. - What was it like when he arrived?

Well, he came... Quite honestly, we were at a low point.」

We felt embattled by public opinion and authorities.

And he was like a fairy godmother, giving us a standard to raise.

So he galvanised you to fight for the future of the club?