Bill Pickering (19 July 1921 – 17 August 2014) was a British swimmer known for long-distance open water swimming. He attributed his swimming success to a vegetarian way of living.[1][2]
Bill Pickering | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 19 July 1921 |
| Died | 17 August 2014 (aged 93) |
| Occupation | Swimmer |
| Spouse | Clarrie Pickering |
Biography
editPickering was born in Overseal, Derbyshire and moved to Bloxwich in the 1950s to work as a baths manager.[3][4] In August 1954, Pickering won the Morecambe Cross Bay Championship and was the only competitor to cross the finishing line.[5] He trained on honey, raisins and a black current drink.[5]
In August 1955 he obtained a World Record for the 21-mile England to France crossing in 14 hours and six minutes, beating Florence Chadwick's fastest time record.[4][6] He was 1 hour 28 minutes faster than any other man.[6] In regard to his record, Pickering commented "I could not have done it if I had not been a vegetarian".[1] Pickering's vegetarian diet consisted of dairy products, fruits, grains, honey and vegetables.[1][7][8] He stated that he swam the channel on two cheese sandwiches and a glass of milk and it is not necessary to eat meat to maintain health.[1] In 1958, Pickering stated that during training he eats four to five pounds of honey per week and drinks two pints of milk a day.[8]
In 1967, Pickering was the first man to make a direct crossing of the Wash, the 21 mile stretch from Butterwick to Snettisham beach in seven hours and 41 minutes.[9] In 1969, he gained a new swimming record for crossing the Penarth to Weston-super-Mare Bristol Channel in six hours 20 minutes.[10]
In 1958, he swam the Firth of Forth and in 1971 at the age of 50 swam the Bristol Channel.[4]
His trainer was Lewis Latham.[11] He was a vice president of the Channel Swimming Association.[4][6] Pickering retired in 1986 and moved back to Overseal.[4]
Personal life
editPickering became a vegetarian at the age of 17 and remained one for the rest of his life.[12] He was a member of the Vegetarian Cycling and Athletic Club.[13] He was guest of honour at the first annual dinner of Preston Vegetarian and Food Reform Society in 1957.[14] In 1973, he was President of the Birmingham and West Midland Vegetarian Society.[15] In August 2005 he delivered a talk for the Shropshire Vegans and Veggies group.[12]
He married Clarrie in 1941, they had no children.[3] He died at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Burton on Trent, aged 93.[4]
References
edit- ^ a b c d "A Channel Swimmer Tells How He Did It". Coventry Evening Telegraph. November 21, 1956. p. 5. (subscription required)
- ^ "Diet Played Part in Swim Success". Walsall Observer. February 10, 1956. p. 7. (subscription required)
- ^ a b Mike, Lockley (2014). "Midland Channel swimming legend Bill Pickering dies aged 93". Birmingham Mail. Archived from the original on August 24, 2014.
- ^ a b c d e f "Channel swimming legend Bill Pickering dies at 93". Express & Star. 2014. Archived from the original on November 8, 2022.
- ^ a b "Trains on Honey and Raisins: Channel Contender Wins Cross Bay Swim". The Visitor. August 4, 1954. p. 11. (subscription required)
- ^ a b c "Bill Pickering 1921-2014". Channel Swimming Association. 2014. Archived from the original on June 5, 2024.
- ^ "Channel Swimmer Trains on Honey". Birmingham Gazette. August 27, 1956. p. 1. (subscription required)
- ^ a b "Channel Swimmer at the Rotary Club". The Rugeley Times. November 1, 1958. p. 7. (subscription required)
- ^ "Former Overseal Swimmer Makes First Direct Crossing of the Wash". Burton Observer & Chronicle. September 7, 1967. p. 9. (subscription required)
- ^ "At 48 Big Bill Gains A New Record". Express and Star. August 7, 1969. p. 10. (subscription required)
- ^ "Bill Pickering. Great Britain". Channel Swimming Dover. 2022. Archived from the original on August 13, 2022.
- ^ a b "Vegetarian Champion Swimmer" (PDF). Vegan Views. 2005. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 13, 2024.
- ^ "Successful Cyclists Get Their Awards". Walsall Observer. January 20, 1961. p. 12. (subscription required)
- ^ "Vegetarian's Dinner". Lancashire Evening Post. December 14, 1957. p. 5. (subscription required)
- ^ "Swimming Bid that Failed". Surrey Advertiser and County Times. October 5, 1973. p. 21. (subscription required)