Channel swimming legend Bill Pickering dies at 93

Tributes have now been paid to Black Country legend Bill Pickering who has died aged 93.

He worked at the former Bloxwich Baths for 35 years and his legacy saw a cup named in his honour.

Originally from Derbyshire he came to Bloxwich in the early 1950s as baths manager.

It was then in August 1955 that he created a World Record for the 21-mile England to France crossing of 14 hours and six minutes.

He had beaten the record of Florence Chadwick, the American who became the first woman to cross the Channel in both directions. She won it back barely six weeks later, beating Mr Pickering's record by 11 minutes.

Mr Pickering returned to Overseal for his latter days with wife Clarrie, who was by his side for more than 70 years. He passed away at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Burton on Trent at the weekend.

In a statement the Channel Swimming Association said: "He was a vice president of the Channel Swimming Association for many years and we are proud that he was able to honour us by accepting this position.

"He was always there when we needed his advice.

"He was held in the highest of esteem by all of our members and those who had the privilege of meeting and talking with him, will be forever grateful.

"He will be remembered for his care, his kindest, his enthusiasm and commitment to all swimmers and not to forget, being a World Record holder.

"He will be remembered for his support, his total dedication and his boundless energy and infectious happiness in support of Channel Swimming and the Channel Swimming Association and we will all miss him greatly."

Bernard Peach, secretary of Bloxwich Probus of which Bill was a member, added: "He really was a lovely man. Bill had a simple life, he was a vegetarian, he grew all his own food.

"When I was a child I used to swim at Bloxwich Baths and Bill was in charge.

"He was a very nice man, he used to love to chat to people. He didn't brag about anything he was a quiet man."

Ahead of his record attempt he had to spend a month in Dover holding out for good weather, as his sponsors back in Bloxwich waited.

His sponsors finally gave him an ultimatum, get on with it or come home. He is one of the few swimmers who can also claim to have competed in the Butlin Cross Channel races.

Mr Pickering was given a hero's welcome for his Channel crossing as crowds gathered in the streets of Walsall to recognise his achievements.

But he was not satisfied with just that and in 1958 he also became one of only two people to swim the Firth of Forth.

In 1971 he swam the Bristol Channel at the age of 50 and eight years later made an attempt at crossing the Irish Sea.

Among his friends were the TV and stage comedian Ken Dodd. Mr Pickering taught the 'Squire of Knotty Ash' to swim at Canley in Coventry and at Bournemouth, and they have been friends ever since.

Mr Pickering moved back to Overseal after he retired in 1986, to occupy his parents' former home, they having passed away in 1976.

He initially served in the Royal Navy between 1941 and 1946, mostly on board a minesweeper.

Mr Pickering worked at baths in Burton, Leicester and Market Drayton before coming to Bloxwich. It was initially due to be for two years but ended up lasting for 35 years. He would become the manager at the now Bloxwich Leisure centre until he retired in 1986.

Working at various swimming pools there was chance to train and hone his endurance and would regularly be up at 6am to spend up to 10 hours in the water.

He made many good friends in Bloxwich, and continued to have fond memories of his time in the town.

On his retirement, he joined Bloxwich Probus Club and donated a cup, to be played for at the indoor bowling facility at Bloxwich Leisure Centre. It is competed for by four Probus Clubs, Walsall, Aldridge, Gorway and Bloxwich.

The esteem he was held in was proved in September 2001, when he and Clarrie celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary and received a visit from the Mayor of Walsall.

Mr and Mrs Pickering had no children. The funeral details are not yet confirmed.