Black Country n Potteries own Sadie Turner at 27 years old, has burst onto the international Masters scene with three fantastic swims at the European Masters Short Course Championships in Lublin, Poland.

Racing against the very best in Europe, Sadie delivered a superb set of results – 4th, 6th and 8th place finishes, top Brit in every race, and an incredible two lifetime PBs. As if that wasn’t enough, she also smashed three Staffordshire records and one West Midlands record along the way!

What makes this even more impressive is that Sadie achieves all this on just two high-quality pool sessions a week with Walsall Swim Squad, combined with regular weight training to build strength and power.

Sadie – everyone at Black Country n Potteries Masters salutes you
Outstanding sprint speed, huge progress over the past year, and performances you can be incredibly proud of. We can’t wait to see what comes next!

Black Country n Potteries Ladies set new records

Earlier this year, the ladies from Black Country n Potteries set new relay records at the British Masters Championships in Sheffield in an impressive showing at the three-day event. The ladies set new records in the 280+ age group in the 200m Freestyle and Medley, as well as the 400m freestyle.

The ladies also improved a previous record in the 160+ age group in the 200m freestyle

Congratulations on the new records. Here’s looking forward to setting new records next year.

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

West Midlands masters ..

Just take a look at the club photo and go WOW!

Never seen so many club swimmers (17) at a meet And Di was missing for the photo!

We were winners before we got wet!

Loved meeting newbies Lynne, Rachel and John plus a triumphant return for Sadie

Stat’s!….

Championships firsts….

Four = Lindsey

Three = Roger, Sadie, Lynne

Two = Lionel, Athene, and the 280+ Relay squad (RichW, John, Tony Kath and Lindsey)

One = Rich H and W, John, Di, Kath, Shaun

Places and relays Rachel, Craig, Ian, Justin and David

Photos below

Justine and David in the Breaststroke

Plus

Pretty certain county records will be added by Ian Hicks (3) Lindsey Gowland (1) and (drum roll) ….Roger Crannage who is laying down the gauntlet by setting three 85 years plus county records for all you gentlemen to chase in the decades which follow!!!

Please, please, please (sounds like a song title!) check out county records and if you better them CLAIM right away!

Staffordshire County Records Staffordshire ASA

Claim via the link on this site or e mail

Catherine Roe Records@staffsasa.co.uk

Finally THE Swim of the day for me was……

Sadie 100 free 1.02.01 ….

Masterful!…….Loved it!

Black Country n Potteries record-breaking 280-plus women’s relay squad were in action again at the British Masters Long Course Championships at the iconic London Olympic pool

They began an onslaught of three European and British long course records by adding a World record for the 4 x 100 m Freestyle event with a time of 5:04.66. There were two other relay successes in the 4 x 50 Medley and Freestyle events. The squad of Barbara Boxall, Kath Tunnicliffe, Alyson Fordham and Lindsey Gowland are pictured with Olympian Ben Proud.

Individual results during the busy weekend…..

Barbara 4th: 200 free 70+, 4th 50 free 70+, 2nd 100 free 70+.

Kath 3rd: 50 free 70+, 1st 50 back 70+, 1st 100 back 70, 4th 100+ free 70+.

Lindsey 3rd: 50 free 65+, 2nd 100+ free 65+, 3rd 50 fly 65+.

Alyson 1st: 50 free 65+.

Sadie Turner 5th: 50 free 25+, 5th 50 fly 25+.

The meet got off to a splendid start with a trio of wins from Richard H, Ian, and Lionel in their 200 free age group events, whilst at the end of the day Craig, John, Lionel and Roger went one better and won four in a row to bring the meet to a conclusion in their respective 25m Freestyle races.

Overall stats:

Sadie 5 wins, Rich H 4, Ian 2, Lionel 3, Justine 4, Roger 4, Jen 3, John 2, Craig 1

Total 28

Staffs records were set by Sadie 3, Roger 3 and Jen 1

Relays…….

Record Breaking relay swims…….

160 plus Men’s Medley 1st        2:23.39      

Sean, Craig, Ian, Richard

160 plus Mixed Freestyle 1st     2.01.52.  Sean, Jen, Sadie, Ian 

280 plus Men Freestyle 1st.      2:46.75       

John, Lionel, Roger, Tony

Here’s a precious moments from the competition…. the 160 plus Mixed Freestyle. 

BCPM: lane 5, Cheadle: lane 6, Dove Valley: lane 7. 

Shaun and Jen took out the first two legs, Sadie cut Dove Valley’s lead to just 3 seconds and managed to overtake Cheadle’s third swimmer to edge slightly ahead of them.  The final leg, was over to Ian, at the 25m mark all three swimmers turned together, 12 metres from the finish Dove Valley were beaten, but Cheadle looked like they had it, that was until Ian’s super blast to the wall took effect……he grabbed the win …somehow, with an incredible 27.40 split, helping to set a new club relay record mark……. exciting especially as the two other teams were in the younger 120 + age group, but that didn’t matter to Ian, he was racing!

Team Black Country n Potteries Masters took part in the Swim England Open Water National Championships at Rother Valley, Sheffield on 28th July 2024.

Individual results: 

• Athene Schur Silver in the 5K
• Lionel Spittle Gold in the 2K
• Martyn Finney Silver in the 2 K

And, along with Di Asbury, the mixed 200 plus team won Bronze in the relay event.

Black Country n Potteries Masters pulled out all the stops at the popular Staffs Masters meet at Stafford on April 23rd. With three relative newcomers, Steve, Lionel and Clive, and a host of members still working their way back after lockdown, the eleven strong team made their presence known!

The highlight has to be Lindsey Gowland’s British record breaking 50m Butterfly swim. She sliced 0.16 seconds from ex GB Olympian Judy Wilsons 12-year-old record. This is her second British record of the year and watch out folks … as there’s more to come!

The team performed well on all fronts with individual club members chalking up 14 County Records (Clive 3, Lionel 1, Justine 3, Richard Woodall 1, Kath 5, Lindsey 1) plus a total of 18 wins, 12 second places and 8 thirds. 

The six relay squads produced five wins and one second place. The Womens 240 year plus created new club records in both the Medley (Kath Tunnicliffe, Justine Doody, Lindsey Gowland, Claire Porter) and Freestyle events (Diane Asbury, Claire Porter, Lindsey Gowland, Kath Tunnicliffe) with the Mens 200 plus freestyle team (Richard Hinsley, Martyn Finney, Steve Moss and Clive Keay) beating the previous best mark with a time of 2:07.08.

Next meet:      Shropshire Masters on 14th May

Future events see:      https://blackcountrynpotteries.co.uk/events-calendar/

The BCPM men’s squad of took both victories in the Men’s 200+ freestyle and medley relays at Hucknall (20th March) Tony, Martyn, Richard H and new member Steve Moss set a club record in the freestyle relay in 2.05.56. 

Lindsey chalked up 4 wins, Kath 3, Tony 2 and Martyn 1. Tony swam a creditable 30.16 in his individual 50 free. That’s some swim as he openly admits he’s not doing ‘any real training’ at the moment…. Hope for us all!

Along the way Martyn collected a 2nd/3rd place, Steve a 2nd and Richard a 2nd

Good job team BCPM!