We are grateful to our parents and volunteer coaches that gave us a chance to enjoy the benefits of learning to swim and compete at a local level. This is where our competitive swimming pathways began in the old open-air pool, once a week through the summer months as members of Sudbury & District Swimming Club.


The Kingfisher Leisure Centre opened in 1987 and many local swimmers/teachers/coaches joined our team. Wendy returned to Sudbury enrolling Sophie and Ben into lessons, and she qualified as a Teacher/Coach in 1999.


Wendy didn’t take long to make an impression as a Teacher, her calm and professional approach to deliver quality lessons. There was so much attention to detail in her lesson plans, to ensure pupils achieved a high standard at any level. She had a wonderful smile and rarely raised her voice, if she did it was for a swimmer with no sense of direction, easily done at the Kingfisher. The parents were always complimentary, appreciating her passion for swimming and giving pupils confidence to have a go.


As a Swim School team we tried to offer a range of swimming activities, but never lost sight of our competitive side. Wendy loved the occasional competition and joined team members to participate as an individual at the Kingfisher Swimathon and Great East Swim, alongside our pupils. 

Wendy liked nothing more than taking the Youth class, setting a swim schedule to improve speed, or endurance and many of her swimmers moved into competitive clubs and achieved great results.   

As a colleague Wendy was supportive and contributed towards developing a strong learn to swim programme. Kingfisher should be thankful for Wendy’s commitment, dedication and exemplarily service over 21 years. We all shared a great sense of humor and rapport as a team.

Co-vid struck and Abbeycroft used this period to restructure, many members of our team including Wendy had time to reflect on family life, and sadly we all faded away from the most rewarding job after 20 – 33 years at the Kingfisher. 


Wendy and I continued to swim on a regular basis at a private pool until her illness took hold, so cruel for someone who enjoyed keeping fit and loved to live life to the full.

A truly trusted friend and a shining star to many young swimmers.

Linda Cadge