Eileen Fenton at Folkestone Pool
Folkestone Pool, Kent. Eileen Fenton.
Eileen Fenton, a 21 year old scripture teacher from Dewsbury, Yorkshire, was the first lady to finish the 1950 race, in a time of 15hrs 31mins, and received a winners cheque of £1000
The townsfolk of Dewsbury in Yorkshire paid Eileens expenses by raising a subscription fund. Alderman M. Scargill, said: ” A few sceptics thought that Eileen was such a slight, quiet sort of a girl that she would not stand a chance. But the town backed her to the hilt and we have won handsomely.”
In the 1951 race she was unsuccessful in a time of 12hrs 50mins.
Eileen is a founder member of the British Long Distance Swimming Association
From the Sam Rockett collection. Black and White photograph.
More photos of Fenton, Eileen
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