BARRY Beavers Disabled Swimming Club are celebrating an excellent year, after expanding their membership and winning a host of accolades along the way.

This March saw the club host their annual gala, boasting a record attendance, while the gala team amassed their biggest ever haul of cups and medals throughout 2017. This also included a first overall victory at the Welsh Halliwick National Gala held in Ebbw Vale in September.

Club membership rose signi?cantly in 2017 to more than 100, with in excess of 40 members in the pool each week. One week saw the club break their own record, with 52 swimmers taking part in the weekly session at Barry Leisure Centre.

In July, a commemorative club book called 'Splish Splash' was published, re?ecting on 36 years of the club's history in stories from members along with photograph and drawing contributions.

In August, the club held it’s second ‘Party in the Park’ at Porthkerry Park, with more than 150 people attending the event – twice as many as the previous year – who were treated to activities, food and fun for everyone. That month also saw the club's annual summer visit to West Midlands Safari Park. Two coaches were needed to transport over 85 members involved on the trip.

The club has also become a centre for training it’s own volunteers and has also trained associated disabled swimming clubs' volunteer instructors, who come to Barry Beavers to receive expert training the Halliwick Method.

As this year approaches it's conclusion, the Christmas party – complete with a visit from Santa Claus – is also set to take place in December with the anticipated number of guests expected to hit 150.

The club wishes to thank all of its supporters throughout the Vale of Glamorgan for their part in an immensely successful year.