Eileen during her 1948 Morecambe Cross Bay Swim (ack Dewsbury Reporter)
Eileen Fenton has been a Vice President of the BLDSA for many years and was a very special lady. The BLDSA is to record that she passed away peacefully in Hopton Cottage Care Home on 23rd August 2026 and we send our condolences to all Eileen’s family and friends.
This energetic and feisty lady from Dewsbury conquered Morecambe Bay in 1948 at the age of 16. She went on to win the Ladies Race in the Daily Mail International Cross Channel Race in 1950, in 15 hours 31 minutes, having been neck & neck with the winner of the Men’s Race, Egyptian, Ted Temme, but slowed by a shoulder injury she was still able to lead the other ladies home. She was 19 and her costs were covered by subscriptions from the people of her hometown. Although a competitor in the 1951 race, she retired after 12 hours.
She was much celebrated at the time and she was further honoured on the 60th anniversary of her swim, by Kirklees Council. Her exploits are recorded in the Dewsbury Museum, together with a specially commissioned portrait, unveiled on that 60th anniversary.
An Inaugural Member of the BLDSA, Eileen, served for a time on the Committee. She was awarded the role of Honorary Vice President in 1966 in recognition of her services both to the Association and the sport.
Eileen was a scripture teacher and a swimming teacher & Coach & mentor, coaching many talented swimmers, including her niece ‘Young Eileen’, Bridget Woodall, later Hopkinson, who became a fantastic open water swimmer with the BLDSA and Wendy Brook who also swam brilliantly with the BLDSA and the went on to break the Channel Crossing record to name but a few. She was Secretary of the Dewsbury Swimming Club and coached people of all ages there, but her influence was keenly felt by so many young folk as they progressed in their swimming under her watchful eye but also in their daily living where her encouragement and support were so valued.
My first introduction to Eileen was in 1967 when, after 9 hours 31 minutes swimming completing my first Windermere swim. Swim HQ in those days was at the Lakeside Hotel, so I had a bath, got out and passed out. Eileen to the rescue. She heard the kerfuffle and trooped in with her group of swimmers (not all in the race but there to observe) and as I came round, I was being carried to my bed with each arm and leg held by a separate swimmer. (What a picture that might have been!) Eileen stayed with me, fed me a warm drink and lots of friendly advice and became a much-respected friend through the years ahead.
In 1968, she swam the length of Bala (3.5 miles) aged 40. Reputedly, she could still get into her Channel swimming costume 60 years after the event. That is one of Dewsbury Museum’s prized artifacts in their tribute to Eileen.
Eileen received an M.B.E. from the then Duke of Cambridge, Prince William, in June 2019 in recognition of her voluntary work in swimming.
As Eileen floats off to waters anew, we will remember her personality and talent with gratitude and friendship. There really isn’t any more I can say.
Margaret Smith
August 2026
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