Ned Barnie, Billy Butlin, and Folkestone Mayor (Councillor Charles E. Neate)

Butlin’s International Channel Swim, 1954. Folkestone Pool. Ned Barnie sharing a joke with the Mayor of Folkestone (Councillor, Charles E. Neate) and Sir Billy Butlin at the Folkestone open air pool. Drawing lots for position/pilot

Ned Barnie was the first Scotsman to swim the Channel in 1950. Time 14hrs 45mins; this swim was in the Daily Mail Race. He was the first man to swim it in both directions in 1951. The first swim was England to France, 19hrs 02mins. The second was in the Daily Mail swim in 15hrs 01mins. He made 6 unsuccessful attempts between 1952 to 1956.

From the Sam Rockett collection. A Black and White Photograph.