Silver Cup

Alfred Batterby from King's Lynn joined the army in 1889 aged 18. In 1910 he ended his service as a Sergeant Instructor on the Army Gymnastic Staff at Aldershot. Described as 'thoroughly sober and reliable' he was awarded the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. The 'Indian' clubs he swung derive from Iranian 'meels' which can weigh over 20 kilos. Club Swinging was taken up by Britons stationed in India in the nineteenth century and practised by men and women. The sport featured as an artistic gymnastic event in the 1904 Olympics when the meels weighed about a kilo. Points were awarded according to routine. There is now a revival in Club Swinging, which encourages natural rhythm and movement, improving mind and body.