As a club we cannot function without Officials, galas cannot be run without Timekeepers, Chief Timekeepers, Referees, Starters, Turn/Stroke judges etc. We are blessed that we have several individuals who have taken on more than their fair share of duties over the years. As we celebrate our 30th birthday and look to the future as well as celebrating the past the time is right for new volunteers to step forward and train to become an official. The timing is good as well because there are 3 or 4 Wey Valley parents already interested so you will not be alone. Interested? Then please contact Amanda Rusholme to find out more.

A week Saturday ago we hosted the first gala of the year as Godalming and Feltham joined us for the Thames League gala. Unfortunately IOW were unable to make it but we look forward to seeing them for round two on the 21st March.

The Thames League gala is always a good spirited affair and for most swimmers it is their first experience of a competitive gala. Once again the children really enjoyed the experience and I am glad to report that Wey Valley Black came through victorious on the night to leave them in pole position for the final round.

A huge thank you to all of the adults who helped on the night, it is nights like this that remind us all what a wonderful club we have. Godalming are hosting round two so we will not have to provide so many bodies around the pool.

This is the session where the lane ropes need to come out in order to change from widths to lengths. In order to maximise the time that the children have in the water the teachers would appreciate help from parents getting the ropes out. Please feel free to offer your services, they will point you in the right direction.

Before Christmas there was a run of children who suffer from asthma not having their inhalers on poolside and therefore suffering. As an asthma sufferer myself I know how distressing it is not to know where your inhaler is when you are short of breath. If your child has an inhaler can you please ensure that it has there name on it (because they all look the same) and that they know to have it poolside just in case.

Our calendar of events right through to Christmas has been planned, you will find the list on the Events Schedule page. Please pop a few dates into your diary now, dates that involve the whole club include the BBQ in June and the club champs at the end of the year. If you are a gala swimmer then the dates of the galas are all there.

Michelle got a new camera for Christmas so I intend to pinch it off her and take photos of our many poolside volunteers to update the website and noticeboard. So please remember to bring your best smile to poolside!

The annual county championships start on the 31st January and run until the 1st March. Good luck to all those taking part.

If you would like to represent Guildford in the Surrey Youth Games this year then please follow this link to find out more.

The hoodies were a great success in the run in to Christmas and our stocks of them are running low. What stock we have left is going to be transferred to Linda Whall who runs the club kit so that you can buy from what we have left and then if you wish get a name printed on the back at Ansom and Moore in Wood Street Village.

We will put a list up on the board so that people can sign up for a pre-printed Hoodie and when we have enough demand we will send off the order. Please try on someone else's Hoodie to get the right size as once the Hoodie has been printed on we cannot swap it!

Over 10% of invoices for this term remain unpaid at present. In order to make Mark's job easier could those sitting on a bill please either pay ASAP or let Mark know if you planning on leaving the club.

You will see a link on our homepage to buy.at, by clicking on this link and then clicking on the links that you see to your favourite retailers (Tesco, Asda, Amazon etc) the club will receive a donation when you buy from these retailers, typically 5-8% of what you spend. This costs you nothing but is of great benefit to the club. Sometimes companies like Sky up the donation for example if you subscribe to their HD service via our website the club will receive �75.00 from Sky! Please bookmark http://buy.at/wvsc and try to remember to use it as often as possible.

From Edwina Attwood;

"Gaby's black 3/4 length red herring coat (Christmas present!) left Godalming on the first Sunday session of the year before she did! We had not yet put her name in it!"

Many thanks to everyone for double checking.

Edwina Attwood - 01483 222580

I have a paperback book called Holes by Louis Sachar that was left poolside during the club champs. I will keep it in the car and if anyone has lost it come and see me.

The asa have produced a guide to Athletic Development for Swimmers, there are some good bits of information in there and it is well worth a flick through. If you would like a copy then please see Jon Brayne.

An interesting new charity that caught my eye in a Swimming Magazine recently http://www.fresh2o.org/

and finally a woman who swam 8 hours a day behind a boat all the way across the Atlantic!!

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=X3dAJ9aDifw

If you receive this email twice then let me know, a new term means a new list for me and there could be errors. If you don't want to receive emails from me about the club then please let me know and I will take you off my database.

Chris Michael