Alan Taylor: Man of the Sea

Title

Alan Taylor: Man of the Sea

Subject

Alan Taylor

Description

As a young boy, Folkestonian Alan Taylor taught himself to swim in the sea. There began a fascination with the water that still endures today. The carpenter and local historian has spent a lifetime in and around the sea, both for work and pleasure. Most recently, between 2002 and 2017, Alan swam off the Folkestone coast an astonishing five days a week. Now 84, he still sea swims regularly during the summer.

Creator

Michael Romyn

Publisher

Kent's Sporting Memories

Contributor

Alan Taylor; Michael Romyn

Collection Items

Alan Taylor Oral History Recording
A recording of an oral history interview with Alan Taylor

Alan Taylor Oral History Summary
A summary of an oral history interview with Alan Taylor

Folkestone Swimming Pool, c. 1938.
A photograph of the now-defunct Folkestone open air swimming pool in approximately 1938. The pool was officially opened on 11 July 1936, and eventually closed in the mid-1980s.

Dover Road School Swimming Gala, 1948
A photograph taken of the Dover Road School swimming gala in 1948, which was held at the open air swimming pool in Folkestone. Alan was a member of the school swimming team.

Alan Taylor, winner of the 'Cod Cup' at the Folkestone Boat Festival, October 1950
Photographs (and an associated press cutting - Folkestone Herald, October 1950) of a 14-year-old Alan Taylor, who in October 1950 won Folkestone Boat Festival's 'Cod Cup' - a prize for the heaviest aggregate catch of cod over the three day event. As…

Alan Taylor, Folkestone Boxing Day Dip, Sunny Sands, 2008, 2010.
Photographs of Alan Taylor at the annual Folkestone Boxing Day Dip at Sunny Sands in 2008 (fancy dress) and 2010 (winner of 'Oldest Dipper' prize).
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