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June 2020 June 2020

problems across the country, and MPs are not exempt. It is not an ideal situation
BERE REGIS SWIMMING CLUB - THE ORCAS when a Minister cannot hear a question, or a back-bench MP does not get the
chance to participate due to technical problems. We have been assured that if
there are issues when voting that measures have been put in place to ensure that
It all came from my friendship with two of
the teachers at Bere Regis Primary School. every MP who wants to vote can do so.
Bryan Clark had already taken and As always, my job as an MP is in two parts – that of a legislator in Parliament, and
passed his ASA swimming teachers my role more locally. I have continued to support local businesses, charities and
certificate. Jane Phillips was planning to individuals. I have spoken to hundreds of people, giving support and finding
take hers and would I be interested in answers to their questions wherever possible. I have been sending out updates
joining the course? This I did and the rest with links to useful reources and organisations – to find out more please see my
as they say was history. website.
It was in that glorious summer of 1976 and My constituency office is still closed, but my staff and I are providing support and
having passed my swimming teacher’s assistance to many different people. Due to the situation, it may take a little
course, I looked around and thought it should not stop there. I had always been longer than normal to respond to queries, but please do keep in touch if you
passionate about swimming and had been playing water polo for Bridport for a need help or support. You can contact me via email
number of years. michael.tomlinson.mp@parliament.uk or call my office on 01202 624216. I send
out a regular email update – you can sign up on my website
The school had a small teaching pool which had been built in the 1960s and was
www.michaeltomlinson.org.uk where you can also find links to the latest
regularly used during the summer months to teach the children to swim. My first
coronavirus advice.
thought was, would there be enough interest in the village to start a swimming
club? I started talking to friends and got a positive response.
We then called a meeting to discuss starting the club. Of course there were no
Facebook or emails then but a few posters around the village plus the jungle
drums did the trick and we had a good number turn up for the meeting. A
committee was formed and I became its first chairman remaining in post for 43
years! You would have thought that I would have been kicked out years ago
before I ever got towards my sell by date!

th
We decided to meet at the school for our first swim on Tuesday 14 . June. It had
been a hot glorious summer day as it had been all through May and June that
year but we did wonder who would turn up. As it turned out, we needn’t have
worried about attendance as 120 people came on that first night. It was a brilliant
start but a logistical nightmare as Jane, Bryan and I taught the different groups in
waves throughout the evening. LOCAL MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT

We were blessed with fine weather
throughout that glorious summer Michael Tomlinson MP 
Michael.tomlinson.mp@parliament.uk
with both children and adults holds regular surgeries
flocking to our classes. We even in the constituency. For  01202 624216
held a swimming gala in the first details of forthcoming
summer season. It was all very surgeries or to make an  www.michaeltomlinson.org.uk
informal with a Fancy Dress
competition thrown in for good appointment, please @Michael4MDNP
measure. contact his office.

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