Jenny James & Sam Rockett 1951. Folkestone Pool

Folkestone Open Air Pool 1951. Sam Rockett, Supervisor of the Daily Mail “Festival of Britain” International Race, speaking to Jenny James (23) of Pontypridd, Glamorgan.

Jenny James swam the Channel in the 2nd Daily Mail Race 1951 in a time of 13 hours 55 minutes, becoming the first Welsh woman to succeed – she was placed 12th, 4th woman.

She then entered the Billy Butlin 1953, 1954, 1955, and 1956 swims but did not swim for several reasons. She had one unsuccessful attempt in 1952 but was seasick after 2 hours 49 minutes.

She was the first woman to swim the Bristol Channel both ways.

Sam Rockett swam in the 1950 Daily Mail race and was the fourth man  to finish. He was Supervisor for the 1951 Daily Mail Race, an International race held in the “Festival of Britain year” and was also supervisor for the Billy Butlin races from 1953 to 1959, and the Sir Billy Butlin long distance walk from John O Groats to Lands End.

He played County Water Polo for a number of Counties. He was author of the book “its Cold in the Channel”

Part of the Sam Rockett collection.