Town celebrates historic Channel swim
A historic milestone is being celebrated in the town, as Monday 25th August marks 150 years since Captain Matthew Webb’s famous English Channel swim.
The Dawley-born man became a national hero in 1875 when he was the first person known to swim the Channel unaided.
Webb, aged 27, completed the challenge in 21 hours and 45 minutes. The straight 21-mile crossing was in fact a 39-mile swim due to strong tidal currents. His journey made him a celebrity, and he even wrote a book, “The Art of Swimming”.
Councillor Angela McClements, from Telford & Wrekin Council, said: “As we recognise and celebrate the 150th anniversary of our famous local hero, his inspiring words “Nothing great is easy” are remembered. This milestone serves as a reminder that swimming is such an important and vital life-saving skill.”
The council provides four swimming pools in the borough and offers schemes to promote swimming, including free swimming for under 25s and free swimming lessons for children under 10 through the ’10 by 10′ programme.
More than 1,800 children have participated since its launch in 2022. The council is also continuing its investment, with a major refurbishment of the pool at Wellington Civic and Leisure Centre reopening on Tuesday 26th August.
Great Dawley Town Council is also marking the anniversary by partnering with author Sarah Griffiths to create a new children’s book, “Captain Matthew Webb The Great Adventure,” to inspire a new generation with his story.
The legendary swimmer was also celebrated at Telford Community Carnival on Sunday 24th August, where a carnival piece depicting him, featured in the parade at Telford Town Park.
