Lt to Rt: Alyson Fordham, Barbara Boxall, Kath Tunnicliffe, Lindsey Gowland

The Black Country & Potteries Masters 280+ women’s relay squad have completed all ten of their record attempts for 2025 – five short course and five long course – and what a year it has been!

Their story is as inspiring as their results. Of the four swimmers, only one (Alyson) represented her country in her youth. Two reached county level before taking 30-year breaks from the sport, while one didn’t start competing until her 40s.

Between them they manage hip replacements, diabetes monitoring, and busy family lives (a combined eight children and ten grandchildren!). Only one trains regularly in a coached group – the others fit their sessions into public swimming times, supplementing with weights, Pilates, and the occasional dog walk.

And yet… look what they achieved.

Every single European and British record in the 280+ category – broken.

Five brand new World Records – established.

It’s a story of determination, teamwork, and proof that age is no barrier to excellence.

Details of their records are listed below, but the headline is clear: 2025 will go down as a year of breathtaking achievements for this incredible team.

World Records

16.3.25 Derby LC 4 x 100 Medley 6.12.16

16.3.25 Derby LC 4 x 200 Freestyle 11.41.75

13.6.25 Stratford LC 4 x 100 Freestyle 5.04.66

25.10.25 Sheffield SC 4 x 100 Freestyle 5.59.59

26.10.25 Sheffield SC 4 x 50 Freestyle 2.12.37

European and British Records

22.2.25 Blackpool SC 4 x 100 Medley 5.57.65

22.2.25 Blackpool SC 4 x200 Freestyle 11.29.12

16.3.25 Derby LC 4 x 100 Medley 6.12.16

16.3.25 Derby LC 4 x 200 Freestyle 11.41.75

13.6.25 Stratford LC 4 x 100 Freestyle 5.04.6613.6.25 Stratford LC 4 x 50 Freestyle 2.15.57

14.6.25 Stratford LC 4 x 50 Medley 2.37.01

25.10.25 Sheffield SC 4 x 50 Medley 2.34.03

25.10.25 Sheffield SC 4 x 100 Freestyle 5.59.59

26.10.25 Sheffield SC 4 x 50 Freestyle 2.12.37Lt to Rt: Alyson Fordham, Barbara Boxall, Kath Tunnicliffe, Lindsey Gowland

The Black Country & Potteries Masters 280+ women’s relay squad have completed all ten of their record attempts for 2025 – five short course and five long course – and what a year it has been!

Their story is as inspiring as their results. Of the four swimmers, only one (Alyson) represented her country in her youth. Two reached county level before taking 30-year breaks from the sport, while one didn’t start competing until her 40s.

Between them they manage hip replacements, diabetes monitoring, and busy family lives (a combined eight children and ten grandchildren!). Only one trains regularly in a coached group – the others fit their sessions into public swimming times, supplementing with weights, Pilates, and the occasional dog walk.

And yet… look what they achieved.

Every single European and British record in the 280+ category – broken.

Five brand new World Records – established.

It’s a story of determination, teamwork, and proof that age is no barrier to excellence.

Details of their records are listed below, but the headline is clear: 2025 will go down as a year of breathtaking achievements for this incredible team.

• World Records
• 16.3.25 Derby LC 4 x 100 Medley 6.12.16
• 16.3.25 Derby LC 4 x 200 Freestyle 11.41.75
• 13.6.25 Stratford LC 4 x 100 Freestyle 5.04.66
• 25.10.25 Sheffield SC 4 x 100 Freestyle 5.59.59
• 26.10.25 Sheffield SC 4 x 50 Freestyle 2.12.37
• European and British Records
• 22.2.25 Blackpool SC 4 x 100 Medley 5.57.65
• 22.2.25 Blackpool SC 4 x200 Freestyle 11.29.12
• 16.3.25 Derby LC 4 x 100 Medley 6.12.16
• 16.3.25 Derby LC 4 x 200 Freestyle 11.41.75
• 13.6.25 Stratford LC 4 x 100 Freestyle 5.04.6613.6.25 Stratford LC 4 x 50 Freestyle 2.15.57
• 14.6.25 Stratford LC 4 x 50 Medley 2.37.01
• 25.10.25 Sheffield SC 4 x 50 Medley 2.34.03
• 25.10.25 Sheffield SC 4 x 100 Freestyle 5.59.59
• 26.10.25 Sheffield SC 4 x 50 Freestyle 2.12.37