Tributes paid to ‘inspiration’ Molly Reed


A WESTON woman, who won the chance to represent Great Britain in the Olympic Games, has died at the age of 84.


Members of Weston Swimming Club who had trials for the 1948 London Olympics, including Molly Reed, nee Tancock.

Molly Reed, who was born and bred in the town, was the eldest daughter of James and Flora Tancock and together with her sister Jean and brother Jim, she was a key member of the famed Tancock swimming family.

Despite showing great talent in classical dancing and singing from an early age Molly was a fine sportswoman and was captain of the netball and swimming teams at Weston Grammar School.

She became a member of the Weston Swimming Club just before World War Two.

Brother Jim, who described Molly as his ‘inspiration,’ said: “She became a star member of the club and it was no surprise that she went on to represent England and Great Britain because her technique was near to perfection.”

Molly attended the European Games at Monte Carlo with teammate Nancy Riach as her roommate.

During the games, Nancy became seriously ill with Polio and died within a couple of days.

Devastated by her friend’s death Molly was unable to bring herself to continue swimming for several weeks and pulled out of the Olympic team.

After the games the ASA organised a team race in memory of Nancy and the Weston club - represented by John and Tom Holt, Molly and her sister Jean - emerged victorious.

When she turned 21 Molly retired from international swimming but still continued to win club, county and west counties’ championship races.

During this time she was made a life member of the Weston Swimming Club and qualified for the Royal Life Saving Society Gold Award.

Molly married Laurie Reed, also a keen swimmer, and the couple ran the Seawynd Guest House in Clevedon Road, and the Glascote Hotel in Upper Church Road. They had two children, Susan and Andrew and she then became a coach.

Sailing was another of her interests, and she was an active member of the Weston Bay Yacht Club.

In later years many people will remember her as one of the cashiers at Knightstone Baths, where she also carried out swimming lessons by appointment.

Jim added: “All the years she was a champion she was always coaching young swimmers to surpass all that she had achieved.

“If you needed help you spoke to Molly, and she responded in a positive way.

“Above all, Molly was a homemaker, wife, mother and a devoted nanny and she will be sadly missed.”


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