European Aquatics Masters Championships 2026

Black Country n Potteries Masters’ inspirational 280+ ladies were aiming for individual and team glory at European Aquatics Masters Championship. The competition was held over 7 days, from 18 to 24 August 2026, at the x-bionic sphere, an outdoor Olympic pool in Šamorín, Slovakia.

Alyson Fordham led the way in the F70-74 freestyle sprint events, winning gold in both the 50m and 100m freestyle and setting new European Championship Records.

Lindsey Gowland also collected bronze in the 50m freestyle in the F65-69 age category.

Kath Tunnicliffe dominated in the F70-74 backstroke events, with silver in the 100m backstroke and bronze in the 50m backstroke.

But this was just the warm-up … BCPM’s 280+ ladies are on a mission to target the team events, and the 4 x 50m freestyle and medley relays were in their sights in Slovakia.

Alyson Fordham, Barbara Boxall, Lindsey Gowland and Kath Tunnicliffe were double-gold medal winners, and set new European Championship Records in both relay events.

A full-report of the BCPM’s fantastic four and their quest for 280+ relay glory is available here.

Individual results

Complete list of results from the European Aquatics Masters Championships 2026.

Alyson Fordham (F70-74)
1st place – 50m freestyle 31.55 (ER-CR)
1st place – 100m freestyle 1.11.28 (ER-CR)

Barbara Boxall (F70-74)
5th place – 100m freestyle
11th place – 50m freestyle

Kath Tunnicliffe (F70-74)
2nd place – 100m backstroke
3rd place – 50m backstroke
8th place – 50m freestyle

Lindsey Gowland (F65-69)
3rd place – 50m freestyle

Northern Wave Manchester Masters 2026

Black Country n Potteries Masters swimmers were part of the record breaking Northern Wave Manchester Masters meet held at the Manchester Aquatics Centre on Saturday 8 August 2026. The BCPM ladies 70-74 team are in excellent form ahead of the European Aquatics Masters Championships in Samorin, Slovakia in August 2026.

Record breaking Fordham

Alyson Fordham set two long-course freestyle records in the female 70-74 age group:

1st place + European record in 100 LC Freestyle (01:12:68)

1st place + British record in 200 Freestyle (02:50:12)

Gold, silver + bronze for BCPM!

Alyson Fordham also topped the podium in the female 50 freestyle, joined by team mates Kath Tunnicliffe (2nd place) and Barbara Boxall (3rd place), for a BCPM clean sweep. The ladies 70-74 relay team is in excellent shape ahead of their record attempts at the Europeans later this month.

Meet results

Congratulations to all BCPM members on their excellent swimming. Our team reports an excellent event, in an excellent pool, with a great disco atmosphere.

A complete list of results is available https://swimming.events/events/14992/results.

Alyson Fordham (F70-74)

1st 50m freestyle, 50m breaststroke, 100m freestyle, 200m freestyle, 400m freestyle

Kath Tunnicliffe (F70-74)

1st 50m backstroke

2nd 50m freestyle

Barbara Boxall (swimming for Hornchurch) (F70-74)

2nd 100m freestyle

3rd 50m freestyle

Swim England Open Water National Masters Championships 2026

Rother Valley Country Park (Sheffield) hosted the Swim England Open Water National Masters Championships on Sunday 26 July 2026. A small team of Black Country n Potteries Masters open water swimmers braved the forecast storms to compete in events over the 1km, 3km and 5km individual courses and the 4 x 500m mixed team relay event.  

Congratulations to Athene, Chloe, Lionel and Stuart who were 3rd in the mixed team relay event (O200-239), and to Diane who swam an impressive 8km in the lake. BCPM swimmers bought home 5 medals including gold for Stuart in the 3km event.

BCPM open water mixed relay team ready for action

Athene Schur

4th place in 1km (W45-49)

3rd place in 5km (W45-49)

Chloe Aitken

3rd place in 1km (W18-24)

8th place in 3km (W18-24)

Diane Ashbury

4th place in 3km (W50-54)

4th place in 5km (W50-54)

Jonathan Tate

4th place in 1km (O55-59)

Lionel Spittle

3rd place in 1km (O70-74)

Stuart Sherman

1st place in 3km (O70-74)

A complete list of results is available on the Swim England event website.