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The President elect is Kevin Murphy (third year of 3 year term)

 Officers & Committee members standing for re-election

Alison Streeter MBE - Chairman        Peter Gravett (Charlie) - Vice Chairman 
Michael Oram - Hon Secretary            Angela Oram - Assistant Hon. Secretary 
Derek Carter - Hon Treasurer             Freda Streeter - Training Liaison Officer
All officers positions are unopposed.

Committee -  elected committee members to be 5 in total
Re-standing:  Wendy Coles Lance Oram Tanya Harding Jane Murphy

New members proposed: 
Barrie Wakeham - Proposed: Freda Streeter Seconded: Alison streeter
Paul Hopfensperger - Proposed: Kevin Murphy Seconded: Cliff Golding

Co-opted committee members – Frank Richards & Laura Lopez-Bonilla
(One Co-opt position available)

Motion 1
CS&PF Administration and Swim Fees for 2009 to remain the same as 
posted at the 2007 AGM
Proposed: Derek Carter           Seconded: Michael Oram 

Motion 2  (To be added to “Additional Rules”)
All swimmers taking part in a solo swim must supply proof/ratification of a 6 
hour swim in water under 61°F/ 16°C or proof of completion in a recognised 
event for a period considered by the CS&PF to be an acceptable alternative. 
All swimmers taking part in a relay team swim must supply proof/ratification 
of a 2 hour swim in water under 61°F/ 16°C or proof of completion in a 
recognised event for a period considered by the CS&PF to be an acceptable 
alternative. 
Proposed and seconded by the CS&PF committee

The 6 hour swim is already a requirement for solo swimmers and on the 
CS&PF application form. The 2 hour swim for relay swimmers should be a 
requirement under the CS&PF “Duty of Care risk assessment” guidelines.

 Motion 3: Rule 10 (i) amendment
 As is written in the rules.
(i). The Federation shall not observe solo attempts to swim the Channel by 
persons under 16 years of age on the 1st June in the year of the attempt.

 Propose an amendment to read :
The Federation shall not observe solo attempts to swim the Channel by 
persons under 16 years of age. Swimmers shall be over 16 years old at least 
3 days before the swim starts, and for registration purposes at the beginning 
of the swim tide period they are booked to swim in.
Proposed - Michael Oram     Seconded - Angela Oram

 This motion is to bring the solo swim age limit wording in line with the 12 year age 
limit for relay swims rule agreed at the 2007 AGM.

Any Other Business

To be used to raise matters of importance which have not been included in 
the agenda. Should any matters of major importance arise they may be 
discussed but only with the Chairperson’s and Committees agreement. Any 
matters discussed will not be put to a “vote” but referred on to a future 
meeting or to the committee for their attention and for them to either discuss 
or conclude.

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MINUTES OF CS&PF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

HELD AT 1400 ON SATURDAY 3rd MARCH 2007 AT

DOVER TOWN HALL

PRESENT

 Kevin Murphy- President,                        Alison Streeter- Chairman, 
Charlie Gravett- Vice Chairman,             Mike Oram- Hon Sec,
 Angela Oram-Ass Hon Sec,                   Derek Carter- Treasurer, 
Freda Streeter-Training Liaison Officer, 
Committee - Wendy Coles,   Cliff Golding,   Lance Oram, Tanya Harding, 
Jane Murphy
Co-opted committee members – Frank Richards,   Laura Lopez-Bonilla

Cathie Slevin, Colin Overy, Nick Adams, Brian Bewley, Sally Minty-Gravett,
Wendy Prunty, Stuart Buffery, Patricia Buffery, Chris Osmond, Dave Whyte, 
Joan Beech, Lynne Smith, Roberta Bernet

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Sue Pepper, Ros Hardiman, Stephen Posnett, Lee Wakeham

2. MINUTES OF LAST AGM

 The minutes were approved & signed
(Prop. – S. Minty-Gravett, Sec. – F. Richards - carried)

 3. MATTERS ARISING
None

 4. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT - Alison streeter MBE
(Prop. – C. Gravett, sec. – K. Murphy - carried)

5. HON SECRETARY'S REPORT - Michael Oram
(Prop. – W. Coles, sec. - S. Minty-Gravett - carried)

 S. Minty-Gravett gave a vote of thanks to Mike & Angela & all pilots & crews.

 6. HON TREASURER'S REPORT - Derek Carter     
(Prop. – F. Richards, sec. – A. Oram - carried)

7. ELECTION OF OFFICERS & COMMITTEE
There being no new nominations the Officers & committee were re-elected en bloc
(Prop. – S. Minty-Gravett, Sec. – B. Bewley - carried)

 8. MOTIONS

MOTION 1 
CS&PF Administration & Swim fees for 2008
Solo swims           Code A -         administration fee     £100
                               Code B -         1 way attempt            £100
                               Code C -         2 way                          £200
                               Code D -         3 way                          £260
Relay swims         Code E -         1 way                           £100
                               Code F -         2 way                           £200
                               Code G -         3 way                          £260

 Swims greater than 3 ways, or for other swim courses not by the “direct route” 
are to be determined by the General Committee on their merits & the duties 
of the Observer.
(Prop. – D. Carter, sec. – M. Oram –carried)

----------------------------

  MOTION 2 -- Ref. the clarification of rule 11(c)

Original wording – “On receipt of a time signal a take-over must be made within 5 
minutes of the ending of the preceding swimmer’s leg. In a take-over the new swimmer 
shall swim up from behind the preceding swimmer”.

This season saw some confusion over the exact interpretation of this rule & what was 
allowed on the change-over. The problem was with the possible interpretation of the 
5 minutes being allowed to start before the full 60 minute period had been completed. 
To clarify the rule the following amendment is proposed. There is no change in the 
intention of the rule, just a re-write to eliminate any future confusion.

New wording – 
“The change-over/takeover from one swimmer to the next in a relay should 
take place every 60 minutes with the new swimmer entering the water on a 
signal given by the observer. During the take-over the new swimmer must 
enter the water from behind & swim past the preceding swimmer. The previous 
swimmer must then exit the water as quickly as possible. 
The change-over should take no more than 5 minutes”.
(Prop. - K. Murphy, sec. - M. Oram – carried)

---------------------------------

MOTION 3

 "The use of MP3 players shall not be allowed by the swimmer while 
swimming during any English Channel swim attempt”
(Prop. - D Carter, sec. – C. Golding. 15 for, 2 against, 3 abstain - carried)

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   MOTION 4

 Rule 11(a) as it stands at the moment
“Each standard relay team shall consist of 6 swimmers each swimming for 1 hour. 
The names of the 6 persons shall be given to the official observer before the actual 
commencement of the swim. Thereafter there shall be NO changes in order or 
substitutions  whatsoever.
Swimmers in Junior teams shall be over 12 years old by the 1 st of May & under 16 
years old at the end of the swim. In no circumstances shall more than 1 team be 
allowed to  make their attempt escorted by the same pilot boat”.

 Propose an amendment to read – 
“Each standard team shall consist of 6 swimmers each swimming for 1 hour. 
The names of the 6 persons shall be given to the official observer before the 
actual commencement of the swim. Thereafter there shall be NO changes in 
order or substitutions whatsoever.
Swimmers in relay teams shall be over 12 years old 3 days before the relay 
swim starts, and for registration purposes the beginning of the swim period 
their team is booked to swim in. They shall be under 16 years of age for at 
least 24 hours after the swim finishes for it to be classified as a Junior Relay 
team swim. Junior swimmers (over 12 & under 16 years of age) will only be 
allowed to swim in standard 6 person relay team swims.
In no circumstances shall more than 1 team be allowed to make their attempt 
escorted by the same pilot boat”. 
(Prop. – A. Streeter, sec. – M. Oram – carried)

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  MOTION 5
The rule on “support swimming” is rule 10(p).

 The motion below is proposed to replace it.
“During solo swims a swimmer maybe accompanied in the water by 1 
person only & not accompanied at all until after the first 3 hours. 
This accompaniment will be for a maximum of 1 hour & cannot be 
repeated until at least 2 hour have elapsed after the cessation of the 
accompaniment. The second swimmer may swim alongside, but not 
in front, of the solo aspirant & must not impede the solo swimmer.

 For health & safety reasons the pilot must agree to any request for a 
support swimmer before they enter the water to accompany the 
swimmer. The pilot may, at his or her discretion, request that a second 
swimmer join the solo aspirant outside of these times for a short period 
on the grounds of safety. (i.e. if a swimmer suffers severe cramps). 
Similarly the pilot may ask for accompaniment at the very end of a solo 
swim if the conditions dictate. This is to be allowed even if the request 
is within 2 hours of a previous accompaniment. 
No support swimming is to be allowed on a relay swim”. 
(Prop. - C. Golding, sec. – L. Lopez-Bonilla)

  Discussion followed

 D. Whyte – a support swimmer may do more than an hour at the end of a swim
 if needed for safety at landing.

 C. Osmond – what about more than 1 swimmer swimming ashore at the end 
of relay swims?

 M. Oram – the pilot has the last word for safety reasons. Personally, would
rather only have 1 swimmer in the water at any time as there is only one 
person to worry about.

 K. Murphy – What about at the end of relay?

 M. Oram - at pilot’s discretion, but they must stay behind the swimmer.

(For – 23, against 2 – carried)

  K. Murphy – we recognise CSA Ltd swims. How can we do this if our 
rules are different to theirs?

 M. Oram – we recognise the CSA Ltd swims and the Butlins swims. The 
word is recognise not ratify. If we get too involved and ratify other swims we 
will open a political minefield.

 W. Coles – can we put an amendment “at the pilot’s discretion”?

 M. Oram – we’ve already voted

 C. Gravett – we should debate for the future.

------------------------------------

MOTION 6

This could not be put forward as a motion as it is not a change to the rules 
or to the constitution. It was carried over to any other business for consideration 
and acceptance.
“It is proposed that a working group be set up within the membership of the 
CS&PF with the express purpose of examining ways in which the members 
of the CS&PF can better understand & streamline some of the everyday 
workings of the federation. This should be a small working group made up 
of committee members & selected CS&PF members with the aim of 
investigating the ongoing development of the federation and administration 
work that is involved in running the federation.The sub committee should 
work within a time scale of 6 to 12 months. It should update the committee 
on a regular basis. The findings & recommendations of this sub committee 
should then be circulated to all members before the next AGM. A report 
should then be presented to the floor with the recommendations at the 2008 
AGM. 
(Prop. – Nick Adams, Sec. Cliff Golding)

   M. Oram – we are always saying that we should look to the future – no need for a 
motion and not possible to be dealt with as a motion. Form a sub committee by all 
means but if you don’t know about the day to day running & working of the committee 
how can you suggest alterations to it?

 W. Coles – this should not be a motion. It is not a constitution change & should be dealt 
with in Any Other Business. We have the ability for sub committees in our constitution.

 M. Oram – One thing that we do need is a proper dinner committee that should start 
organising the dinner straight after the AGM.

 The motion was withdrawn and moved to Any other Business.

 10. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

 The proposal for a working party/sub-committee was agreed. Cliff Golding will 
coordinate & Nick Adams will help but not run it.

C. Osmond - we should look at the observers’ expenses.

M. Oram - If we raise them too much we will run into tax problems, employment law 
etc. We need to take advice on this reference what is expenses. 
We can do this in committee.

 N. Adams - minutes of all committee meetings should be put out to all members.

 W. Coles - all minutes should be in the public domain

 C. Gravett - we should draw a line under this now. Suggest we have a good 
supply of regalia for sale at the next dinner.

 M. Oram - the evening is not really for selling regalia – should be an evening off. 
We are organising mail order for regalia.

 D. Carter - last time we had regalia at the dinner we hardly sold anything.

 Meeting closed at 15.50

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Summery of the database statistics of all the combined recognised

Successful English Channel swims to 6th June 2006

(Including Nancy Dogulas & David Walliams 2006 swims)

Total crossings to date 1171

916 crossings - England to France

255 crossings - France to England

(including 33 2-way swims & 3 3-way swims)

completed by

544 male swimmers & 262 Female swimmers

-------------------------------------------------

Trophies and cups: 2005 awards

The Gertrude Ederle Award - 
for the most meritorious CS&PF swim by a woman in 2005 - was given to -- 
Miyuki Fujita from Japan for her 2-way attempt when she swan for 
13 hours 41 miins   
(Rick Selway met Miyuki at Tokyo airport and presented her with the "Gertrude 
Ederle award while on his way back to Australia after the Annual Dinner. ) 

The Des Renford Award - 
For the most meritorious CS&PF swim by a man in 2005  was given to --- 
Christof Wandratsch from Germany for his NEW WORLD RECORD 
England to France swim of 7 hours 3 mins 52 seconds on the 1st August 2005. 

The Eurotunnel Trophy - 
Fastest CS&PF swim 2005 
Christof Wandratsch from Germany for his New World Record 
England to France swim of & hours 3 mins 52 seconds.

The Peter Adams trophy & Cup - 
For the CS&PF successful endurance swim of 2005 - were given to -- 
Stephen Landells from the UK for his England to France swim of 21 hours 15 mins 

The Frank Richards Endurance Award - 
for the CS&PF endurance swim of 2005 - was awarded to -- 
Sally Goble from the UK for her 21 hours 1 min swim before stopping. 

The Audrey Scott Award - 
For the youngest successful CS&PF swimmer of 2005 - was given to --
Sophie Mitchinson From the UK for her England to France swim of 9 hours 58 mins. 

The Ray Scott Award - 
For the oldest successful CS&PF swimmer of 2005 - was given to ---
Kevin Murphy from the UK for his 33rd successful Channel swim England to 
France in 13 hours 35 mins. This makes him joint "King of the Channel". 

The Alison Streeter MBE award - 
For the fastest CS&PF 2- way swim of 2005 was given to --- 
The First Mexican Relay Team for their England / France / England swim of 20 hours 
14 mins 43 seconds. England to France swim was 10 hours 30 mins -- 
France to England swim was 9 hours 44mins 43 seconds. 
Team members - Patricia Guerra - Patricia Kohlmann - Nors Toledano - 
                               Ana Paula Escobar - Monica Ramirez - Minerva Mertinez. 

The Barrie Darling award - 
For the CS&PF pilot / crew member of 2005 - was given to the pilot & crew of ---- 
Dave Whyte and his boat crew on Ocean Breeze 

The CS&PF Observers award -
 for the observer of the year 2005 - was given to --Simon Mitchinson

The Dover Straits award - 
For the fastest CS&PF relay crossing of 2005 - was given to ---- 
Channel Six relay team from Australia for their England to France crossing of 
8 hours 45 mins 27 seconds ---- 
Team member - David O'Connor - Blair Redfern - David Watts - Rory Pilgrim
                             Katerina Dodds - Harriet Morley   

The Longest Relay Crossing award of 2005 was --- 
Team Lir from Ireland for their second leg (France to England) of their 2-way swim 
19 hours 53 mins. --- 
Team members - John Kenny - Joe McGoldrick - John Daly - Pat More - 
                               Declan Proctor - Dan Smyth 

The CS&PF "Special Thanks" award - 
for the supporters/volunteers work for 2005 was given to - Barrie & Irene Wakeham 

There were 3 new awards introduced as of 2005 -

The "Seafarers award - 
For the fastest British swimmer of the year 2005 - was given to - 
Sophie Mitchinson for her 9 hours 58 mins"For Special Recognition"..... swim. 

The JLDSC "For Special Recognition" award and cup - 
For the most successful CS&PF swim completed under exceptional circumstances 
was given to ---Lucy Biard from the Channel Isles. for her England to France swim of 
11 hours 38 mins. 

The Cape Storm Award - 
For the successful Channel swim with a touch of "something different" to it's credit 
that makes it's completion memorable as well as meritorious. This was given to ------ 
Annette Stuart from the UK for her England to France swim of 19 hours 52 mins. 
It was declared by her pilot and support crew that Annette 
"talked her way across the Channel".

Frank Richards was presented with an engraved glass bowl for his work and 
support while serving as our Inaugural President over the past 3 years. 

Zak Evens (Neil Streeter's son & Freda Streeter's grandson) was presented with his 
25 metre swimming certificate by our new President Kevin Murphy. 
Zak is 4 years old and in training for his first Channel swim in around 2014

________________________________________________________________

Hon. Secretary’s Report 2005 AGM

The CS&PF growth rate never ceases to amaze me. Everything is moving at
such a speed one wonders when the bubble is going to burst. The 2004
season was our busiest yet despite a season of unkind weather. We managed
to get 65 swim attempts away out of 71 producing 42 successful swims and
46 successful crossings.
There were –
25 successful solo 1-way swims 2 successful solo 2-way swims.
9 successful 1-way relays 2 successful 2-way relays.
4 successful special category swims.
For those of you interested in statistics that’s a 66% success rate for the year
on successful swims – and a 71% success rate on successful crossings.
(crossings are counted in 1-way swims and each leg of a multi swim is counted
as a successful swim)
To date the Federation has had a total of 194 swims of which 151 of them
have been successful. Our overall success rate is 78% since our inauguration
This coming 2005 season we have about 120 swim attempts confirmed to date
and we are still booking. Every year we try to plan ahead but the response is
turning out to be much greater than we ever anticipate. We seem to be
approximately doubling the swim booking of the previous year. One has to ask
“where are they all coming from” and when will it slow down? Doubling the
swims more than doubles the workload and that means we need to find more
helpers, observers and boat crews. Expenses are paid and we can offer you
long hours, early starts, coffee and tea in abundance, wind, rain, tours of the
Channel - and a great bunch of people.
Volunteers needed – if you would like to help and have spare time let us have
your names – get in touch with the office.
At the beginning of 2004 we had 4 pilot boats registered for the season with
Neil Streeter joining the ranks of the pilots along with his boat “ Suva ”. Out of
the 15 swims Suva escorted 12 were successful. We would expect nothing less
from Neil and his crews as he has been crewing for over 10 years now and has
always set his target at owning and running his own pilot boat. Hope that does not
change now he is paying the bills and working around the clock between the
weather windows. Eddie Spelling brought himself a new boat “Anastasia”
and had another successful year. Alison Streeter has qualified as a pilot now,
although she is doing another season as crew when she finally retires from the
city - she is after our spare boat for the occasional run now that we have bought
another one. (I have bought another sea school boat “Gallivant” a twin engined
36 ft Pedro). Lance and I have three boats at our disposal but unfortunately we
can only drive one each at a time. Chris Osmond with “Seafarer” and Dave
Whyte with “Ocean Breeze” joined the Federation’s list of recognised and
registered pilots list in November so we now have 6 active full time pilot boats
and pilots for 2005 – all booked with swims. Chris and Dave were working
under the CSA Ltd banner before they asked if they could join us and both
are experienced pilots who have done a good few swims over the years.
We have come a long way in the since 2000 and now have the members,
the team, the experience, the bank account plus the recognition and status
of a Governing Body for Channel Swimming. All this means we are now well
established and here to stay.
The “chat” site is increasing almost daily as new swimmers hear of us, find
us and join so that they can communicate with like minded people and enter
into the spirit of our sport. I think the last count was 305 members with about
20 invitations to join in the pipeline. Never before has there been such an easy
and open place to make contact and get help and air all the different opinions
– as well as have a laugh and a chat. It seems to have become the hub of a
world wide club and open water information centre. Both The chat site and
its web pages are open to all, not restricted to CS&PF members, and it’s free,
although becoming a member is by invitation only. Hopefully it is going to be
used for fun as well as for serious comments and as such we ask you to both
- use the delete button if you are not interested -- and to remember that it is
“open to all” -- when writing your messages. It should be noted that you can
also be a member of the chat site and not have each e-mail sent directly to
your address. (Some people find the messages are excessive and to many to
cope with, especially during the swim season). If that is the case then you
can still be a member and access the web site to just read the messages that
you are interested in. If you know anyone who would like to join send us their
e-mail address to michael.oram@btinternet.com.
As I said earlier the weather was not kind to us this year but we still managed
to get the swims out on the water and collect an impressive list of successes.
Both Anne Cleveland and Marcy McDonald completed 2-way swims. Anne
stepped off the plane and phoned me as soon as she reached the Victoria
Guest House. “I’m here and ready to go” she said. “Tomorrow” was my reply.
--- “but it’s the top of the Spring tides and I am not booked for another week”
came her reply. “Looks like it is now or never with the next lot of wind on its
way and Lance has a spot empty.” – “OK”. On the 30 th of July Anne
successfully completed her swim to become only the second American lady
to do a 2-way. She took 28 hours and 36 mins and finished at Kingsdown just
before the bad weather arrived. Her last few hours were cold and hard but
mentally she got there. We have awarded Anne the “Gertrude Ederle Award”
for the most meritorious swim by a woman in 2004.
Marcy McDonald was the first American woman to complete a 2-way swim in
2002 and this year she came back to try and do a 3-way. The weather was not
kind and the weeks passed until we finally had a weather gap. But - It was also
on the top of the Spring tides. The waiting was worse than the task ahead
so off we set on the 3 rd of September. The conditions were good and 11
hours 14 mins after her start from England she landed at Cap Gris Nez.
The return swim was hard but good and we landed on Shakespeare beach in
11 hours 46 mins and in perfect time for the third leg to France . A little bit of
persuasion was needed at this turn around but not a lot. What Marcy did not
say was that her shoulder was playing up. 40 minutes into the last leg the
shoulder problem was showing and a brief discussion on the damage that
could be done if she continued persuaded her to get out. She had achieved a
good 2-way in 23 hours exactly.
Marcy receives the “Alison Streeter award for the fastest 2-way swim of the year.
Two lessons to learn for all you keen “newbees” (as they were addressed last
season). 1. Plan your swim with plenty of time spare to fit into the weather gaps
You could be on standby for days or you could swim as soon as you arrive. 2.
Safety first – and that means do not persist and be stubborn if you suffer a
serious strain or injury. The Channel will always be there for another try.
George Brunstad swim the English Channel on 28 th August in 15 hour 59 mins.
A good swim by any standards that finished on the French coast at Sangatte
(between Calais and Cap Blanc) just after midnight . Both Marcy McDonald and
Alison Streeter swam the last 50 metres to the beach with him to celibrate.
The amazing thing is that George had just celebrated his 70 th birthday 4 days
earlier – That made it a great swim by a very special person. To cap it all it was
Alison’s birthday and she celebrated that as well on the beach with George and
a small group of French people who appeared out of nowhere to shake his hand.
George receives the “Ray Scott” award for the oldest successful swimmer of 2004.
Josiah Bunting from the USA had the fastest swim of the year with 9 hours 44 mins
– he just beat Lennard Lee’s time (9 hours 45 mins) to win the “Eurotunnel” trophy
for the fastest CS&PF swim of 2004. Just goes to show how every second counts,
even on a Channel swim.
The “Des Renford” award for the most meritorious swim by a man goes to Veljko
Rogosic who at 63 year old completed his swim on water only without any food as
he was being continuously sick after the first hour. He refused to give up until he
reached French soil – and became the first person from Croatia to swim the Channel.
Mandy du Feu battled the seas and made a successful landing in France – just in
time to get the plane back to Jersey for her wedding. She has the “Peter Adams”
endurance award for a successful swim.
The “Frank Richards” award for the endurance effort on an unsuccessful swim
goes to Rick Selway. Rick is registered blind and had a lot of problems working
out where he was going but he stuck it out and was in reach of the French coast
when he retired. He had a very good year though and ended it by proposing to our
Queen - Alison Streeter – who accepted. Now they are planning the wedding. The
date is not set yet and I did hear that it is dependent on a successful Channel swim
by Rick this year.
The “Audrey Scott” award for the youngest swimmer went to Astrid von Linde
who made it in 13 hours 38 mins
The Western Counties relay team won the “Dover Straits” award for the fastest relay.
And – guess what – Eltham Training and Swimming Club have won the longest relay
swim award yet again. This year they cut nearly 8 hours off their last record and did
a respectable 16 hours 16 mins.
The list goes on and every swim has a story. – Vijaya Claxton returned for another
attempt and put in her best swim yet – 18 hours 41 mins and she reached the French
inshore traffic zone, about six miles from Calais. It’s always a pleasure to take Vijaya
and her little bunch of happy faces (sorry helpers). Each attempt she exceeds herself
previous one and gets closer to the French coast. Success can’t be to far away now.
This report would not be complete without us recognising all the work put in by the
helpers, and the observers. Without them there would be no swims.
“Observer of the year” goes to Billy Beadle for all his effort and dedication. Billy
had a busy season and often slept onboard for a few hours before he was of on the
next swim. Our thanks go out to him and all the other observers who worked so hard
to make other peoples dreams come true.
The “Barrie Darling” award for the pilot/Crew member of the year this year has been
awarded to a pilot boat – “ Suva ” – They started as a team, worked as a team and it
turned out to be a very successful first season.
I know that Alison has mentioned and thanked Freda, Barry, Tanya and all the rest
of the beach crew but they still need a mention for their dedication and persistence.
There is a lot more I could and should say but I am on a deadline here and it is gone
midnight already. A couple of last minute things though -- Please remember your
committee, officers and helpers are all volunteers and most have full time jobs -
this means that sometimes it takes a little longer to get results. The size of the
Federation is demanding a lot of work for all the members behind the scene and
we are trying to do our best for you.

I personally would like to say thank you to everyone for making the Channel 
Swimming & Piloting Federation such a great success. It has gone far beyond my 
expectations. We have had our disruptions from outside the Federation but this 
just seems to have made us stronger and gelled us into one big swimming 
community that stretches around the World. I do not know what the future 
will bring but I’m sure it will be nothing but good news. Just to confirm - 
That’s a thank you to all the committee members for their help and support, 
to all the volunteers who are observing the many swims, to all the other helpers 
who gave their time and assistance and to those who help the swimmers on the 
beach at Dover . Thank you to all you swimmers who swam with us. Most of all 
thank you to my wife Angela – your Assistant Hon Sec - and the person who has 
kept the office and me in order up till now. Not an easy task. And last, but not least, 
thank you to the dinner committee for the work that’s been put in to make tonight’s 
dinner possible

 Michael Oram 
Hon Sec CS&PF.