4SHIRES
SWIMMING CLUB
Competitive Swimming in Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire
Affiliated to Swim England
Our Committee
Swimmer Development - Rachel Pearson
My eldest daughter, Kirsty, first joined Four Shires in 2011 with both Michael and Zoe joining later. I initially became involved by managing the club kit prior to joining the committee in 2014 as Membership Secretary, and then becoming Chair in 2016. I can often be found poolside at galas supporting our swimmers as Team Manager and when not involved with 4SSC in one way or another, enjoy spending time with family and friends, baking and walks in the countryside. Prior to having the children, I worked in Human Resources and am now a Teaching Assistant.
Treasurer - Chris Lawrence
I took on the role of Gala Secretary in Spring 2015, and as of June 2018 took on the role of Treasurer. I’ve been bringing my daughter Ellie along to sessions since early 2013. As she has progressed, my wife Catherine and I have spent more and more time at galas and training, so the next logical step was to get involved, et voila. Now my other daughter Imogen is following in the swimming footsteps.
I've also trained as an ASA Official (nearly passed my J1) & am a Team Manager (2).
I work as an IT Business Consultant working with retailers, having spent some 30 years previously in retail. I also enjoy watching F1 & Rugby Union, when time permits.
Club Secretary - Keri Barnard
Hello! I have 2 children, Joe and Annabel, who have been swimming for the club since 2015. Initially, I became involved as a Team Manager assisting at galas and have recently taken on the role of Gala Secretary. I work part time as a Baby and Pre-school Swimming instructor for Puddle Ducks Oxfordshire. In my spare time, I enjoy baking, watching rugby (particularly when my team thrashes my husband's) and walking my chocolate lab called Zazu.
Click to email Keri
Chair - Simon Wratten
I have been involved with Four Shires since January 2017 with both my daughters swimming at the club, Isabella in the County Squad and Leanna in Pre-comp which I hope will give me a broad scope across the whole club. I have trained as a team manager which makes gala days go a lot quicker and with up to 8 hours a week now spent sitting at poolside I decided that I could use that time to better effect in assisting the club in the role of Chair.
In my professional role I work as a Business improvement manager in the food industry and have also been a Justice of the Peace for over 12 years. I am in my last year of 8 as a Parent Governor at Bloxham primary school, 4 of which as chair of the finance committee as well as also serving for 2 years on the committee of Bloxham Bowls club. All of these roles, I hope, will assist me in my new position as 4SSC Chairperson
Click to email Simon
Gala Secretary - Gordon Syme
Hi. Both my kids, Aaron and Ana, have been in 4 Shires since 2015 and really enjoy the friendly, but still competitive dimension to 4 Shires. I also pretend to stay fit and sometimes compete through the Masters squad, as long as the event is short and Breastroke! Work-wise, I’m another business consultant (#3 in the 4SSC committee!?). In my spare time I play sax and have starting gigging a bit this year (which I’ve found isn’t very compatible with swimming training, or fitness in general!).
Click here to email Gordon
