MEMBERS of Bovey Tracey Lifesaving Club were presented with their Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS) Platinum Jubilee medallions, by the Towns Mayor, Cllr Shelia Brooke, after holding their annual club festival on Tuesday, July 19.

The Medallions are a special commemorative medal in honour of Her Majesty the Queen’s 70 year reign as and was based on the RLSS Bronze medal that she took more than 70 years ago.

Bovey Tracey Mayor, Cllr Sheila Brooke, said: ‘I was just so impressed with the dedication of Ian and Sue Hutchings.

‘They have been running the club for 25 years and have got hundreds of children through their swimming certificates and it is not just about life saving - it is life skills too.

‘What was lovely was the community spirirt at the pool, the kids were really supporting one another, it was really nice.

‘It was a very successful event and as I say, Ian and Sue do it year in year out, they just do it quietly and get on with it but my goodness they are a real asset to the town.

‘It was lovely to be included and be part of it.’

Bovey Tracey Lifesaving Club, which will celebrate it’s 25th anniversary next year, is just one of the many users of Bovey Tracey Swimming Pool.

Bovey Tracey Lifesaving Club is headed up by Ian and Sue Hutchings.

Ian said: ‘Each year we run a summer training camp for youngsters 12 to 15 years old.

‘They learn all sorts of skills throughout, such as personal survivial and at the end we put on a fun festival for them.

‘We give them some challenges to do in a four person team and the challenges are all based aorund the things they have learnt in the camp.

‘It is great to see children learning life skills in a fun environment and then putting them into fun practise.’