Club swinging

Does anyone remember attending club swinging in Coventry in the 50's? Believe it started in town, then moved to Freddies school. Many of the ladies in my family were involved.

Hi Slash1, I used to go club swinging in the early 50s. I recall going to a factory on the Foleshill Road, somewhere opposite Eagle Street.

Have looked up the modern meaning but what did it mean in those days?

Believe it was organised by a gent by the name of Mr Tilson. One of my sisters went. Also two of my cousins, Pat and Sylvia Sharman. They won lots of competitions. Thought that it may have been in Methodist Central Hall, shall have to ask.

It was a form of exercise involving the swinging of wooden clubs.

Hello Dutchman, Could have originated from the wooden clubs used during the stone age. Bit before my time though! You must have a good answer to that

Thanks! Resulted in long arms?

You are right Dutchman, it was a form of gymnastics using wooden clubs. The clubs varied in size and weight. I only went to classes for a few weeks, I much preferred dancing classes.

They are sometimes known as Indian Clubs and are derived from heavier, warlike clubs once used in the Indian subcontinent

I remember Mr. Tilson from club swinging - a very military looking gentleman, as I recall. His wife was involved too. In the mid-sixties when I did it, it was held in the hall at Freddies senior school on a Friday night. Quite a lot of the girls from my class at Freddies juniors did it, with varying degrees of skill! I don't remember anyone conking themselves on the head but it must have happened when you think about what we were doing. I took part in one show where all the lights were put out and the older girls performed with illuminated clubs. I still wonder how they were lit, and probably someone on this board can tell me. . . I was always fascinated by the For King and Country list up on the wall of the hall - can't remember if it was painted directly on the wall or if it was on a board.

Hi Primrose, If i remember right, it was a board on the back wall of the assembly/gym hall.

Thank you, Mattash. It seemed strange to see "King" when all I had known was a Queen (and happily she is still all I know!) My gran and my dad both attended Freddies - I don't know when the board was put up but I like to think that my dad at least saw that sign while he was there. My gran would probably have left in 1916 but my dad not till 1936. I am assuming too that WWI was the reason for the sign - the sentiment, For King and Country, seems to have that early 20th century flavour.

Here you go Primrose, one for you. War Memorials at Coventry Schools I knew I had seen it somewhere, just refound it. Freddie Bird's list of honours. It is not the same one I remember, I remember the board of honours being bigger, maybe age and memory lose? Shame that everything was disposed of from Freddies. Edited by member, 2nd Jun 2018 11:33 am

Have only just see the club swinging topic. I attended Freddies in the 1950s and my friend Maxine went to the classes at the school. I think the Royal Navy also did it at some time.