Veteran swimmer Don Leatherbarrow of Ross-on-Wye has been breaking more British records as he continues to train and take part in competitions.

Since the Welsh Nationals at Swansea in early March this year, where he broke two more long course records, he has competed in three more Galas and broken more records.

In March, at the Gloucester Masters Annual Gala at GL1 (his home club) Don broke two of the records he set last year; the 100 individual medley in one minute 36.43 seconds and the100 metre freestyle in one minute and 20.53 seconds.

 Then on May 14th, at the Gloucester and Somerset County Championships, at Horfield, Bristol.  He again broke the record for 100m individual medley knocking another 1.7 seconds off it in one minute 34.75 seconds.

 Last weekend at the National Long Course Championships at Wales International Pool, Swansea, he broke his 50 metre free record and lowered it to 34.91secs.

 Don also swam the 200m freestyle five seconds faster than the British record he set last year, but was still beaten by two seconds by a really great distance event swimmer, Geoff Stokes, who is 80 this year and is an internationally recognised masters swimmer of long standing. Don told the Gazette he was very happy to have swum against him, but his strong finish got him home ahead in the final length.

 Don is extremely grateful for the support of the local Halo Leisure Centre. He told the Gazette: “They have been very supportive and encouraging of me, and last year helped me attain an annual training award for the use of all their facilities, free of charge. These awards are for athletes in a whole spectrum of sports activities, including swimming. It’s most unusual for anyone in my age group to get this, but I think they wanted to use me as an example to the older generation to join the centres and enjoy the feeling of swimming in particular, as a really good way of feeling a little bit fitter, and getting to know others at the centre doing exactly the same thing.

“They encouraged me to apply for the same grant this year, and much to my amazement, I was given this award for another year, starting this month. The annual presentation for all Halo group members is this Friday evening at Hereford Leisure Centre, which I shall very much enjoy going to with my wonderfully supportive wife Cindy, without whom I could never have achieved any of this. She keeps me in order and makes sure I’m ready on the blocks for every race, as at my great age, I am a bit forgetful.”