Trophy rediscovered at Carlisle pools to be awarded to best swimmer

The Wendy Burrell trophy had previous been given out for greatest achievement by a swimmer under the age of 21 in Cumberland and has a history of more than 50 year, having been donated by the former editor of the Cumberland News, Colin Dobson.

The trophy was found at the James Street baths ahead of its upcoming demolition, and Cumbria Swimming has refurbished the trophy and set similar criteria for the competition with the cup set to be presented to the top swimmer at this year’s CASA County Championship.

Amber Rigg competing in the Ladies 100m Butterfly (Image: Peter Bratley - Workington)Wendy Burrell has been invited back to Cumbria to make the initial presentation to the Championships top swimmer Sunday, February 4 at Workington pool.

At the event, Wendy will also become the first inductee into the Cumbria Swimming Hall of Fame which has recently been established.

“We knew the trophy existed from some work we did last year because we were 100 years old,” said Cumbria Swimming executive member, Ian Richardson.

“We had been doing some research to try and get some more information about the trophy and it turned up when they cleaned out the old storeroom at the James Street baths which was absolutely amazing.

“When we discovered it, that sort of prompted us to do some more work and we thought that we should reintroduce the trophy and have the trophy refurbished.

READ MORE: Olympic swimmer Wendy Burrell bids a 'farewell' to Carlisle's baths

“As part of our 100th year anniversary to capture all the history, we've created a Cumbria Swimming Hall of Fame for all those who have done some outstanding stuff in aquatic sports and Wendy is going to be the first inductee into that Hall of Fame.

“She's going to be presented with the award at Worthington next week when she comes up so as well as her presenting a trophy, we're going to present her a trophy which will be nice.”

(R-L) Max Henderson - Cockermouth, Elliot Routledge - Workington and Jackson Jardine - Cockermouth (Image: Paul Bratley)The event, which will culminate in the awarded of the Wendy Burrell trophy, has attracted more than 250 entries and features the finest swimmers in the county.