Bollington long distance swimmer Brenda Sherratt was the first person to swim the length of Loch Ness in Scotland, a distance of 22.5 miles on 26-28 July 1966. She was just 18 years of age. By that time she was already a very well practiced open water swimmer. She had swum Bala Lake in Wales, Lake Coniston – along its length, and both ways in one swim across its width – and Lake Windermere, both in the Lake District. Loch Ness took 31 hours 41 minutes! These achievements earned her induction into the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame
in 1970 as an Honour Swimmer.
Brenda coached swimmers for almost 40 years, as well as being active with the Cub Scouts. She was married to Tim Capper and lived in Congleton. She died on 18th October 2025 aged 77.
Facebook post plus lovely comments after her death was announced.
Picture by courtesy of Malcolm Sherratt.
(Click for larger picture)