The West Wight community is mourning the loss of well-known swimming instructor Shirley Miles BEM, who died on Friday (5th August) aged 88.
Shirley was one of the original team of volunteers who raised money for and built the West Wight Swimming Pool, as well as forming the West Wight Swimming Club. She had been involved from the very beginning in the early 1970s.
Awarded the British Empire Medal for her dedication to swimming teaching, she was also awarded the Isle of Wight Sports Foundation Lifetime Achievement award in 2018.
Shirley retired at the age of 85 when the COVID pandemic hit.
A spokesperson for the West Wight Sports & Community Centre has said:
“She leaves a massive legacy, having taught thousands of children and adults to swim over the years as well as starting the Kingfishers swimming group for people with learning difficulties. She was highly regarded across the Island and beyond as a swimming instructor and much loved by many.
“Shirley was passionately committed to West Wight Sports & Community Centre, but especially the small swimming pool where she spent so much time. She loved teaching children to swim – but especially babies and toddlers. Her lessons were always full of laughter, and the enjoyment she got from working with children was always clear to see.
“In 2021 she achieved her goal of capturing the stories and anecdotes that have made up the unique story of West Wight Sports & Community Centre from it’s very humble beginnings to where it is today. She spent lock down bringing those stories together in a book entitled “It all started with a Hole in the Ground’.
Article continues below this advertisement “Shirley was mentor, friend and much loved colleague to many of us”.
Shirley’s funeral will be on 23rd August at 13:00 at Yarmouth Church. Everyone is welcome at the church service, which will be followed by a small family gathering.
So sorry to hear this. We had the pleasure of meeting Shirley when I took my first born to fun hour at the pool. She was a great lady. RIP x
Such a lovely lady. She taught my 2 girls to swim, they 38 & 34 now. They loved having Shirley as a teacher. She gave them so much confidence in the water. She will be greatly missed. Rest in peace Shirley. Its time for you relax in that great big swimming pool in the sky. ♂️♂️♀️♀️