The Mayor (Charles E. Neate) presenting a trophy to Brenda Fisher with Sam Rockett

Butlin’s International Channel Swim 1954. Folkestone, Kent. The Leas Cliff Hall. The Mayor of Folkestone (Councillor Charles E. Neate) presenting the Ladies winning trophy to Brenda Fisher of Great Britain with the Lady Mayoress and Sam Rockett, the Race Organiser in the background.

Brenda Fisher of Great Britain was successful in the 1954 race, and the first Lady home in a time of 14hrs 25mins.

Brenda was a very successful long distance swimmer; in 1948 she won the Morecambe Bay Championship and in 1951 she was the first Lady home in a new record time of 12hrs 42mins – she recieved a trophy from Eva Peron for being the first lady home. In 1954 she was the first lady home, her time was 14hrs 36mins.

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 he 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”

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