SIGNED OSPREYS TOP AUCTION

Hello fellow Ospreys supporters. I've posted an item on ebay in order to raise money for our charities.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE AUCTION

I've tried to analyse all the signatures but it's very difficult. There are a lot on there, around 30. Below is a list of the ones I have confidently identified. The ones that are too vague I've not added. With 30 names on there, I'm sure that a lot of the other high profile players are there somewhere...

Lyndon Bateman
Paul James
David Bishop
Barry Williams
Mike Phillips
Ian Gough
Martin Roberts
Aled Brew

I hope this helps...

2007 WAS ANOTHER SUCCESS

The Christmas Morning Swim Presentation evening held at the Hi-tide Inn, saw the handing over of over £4000.

The main beneficiary was Latch whose representative received a cheque from Porthcawl’s Mayor, Councillor Alana Davies. Other beneficiaries were Headway Bridgend, the brain injury association, Porthcawl Lifeguard Club and Gilgal 1411 Youth Club.

Donations were also given to, The Fire Service Benevolent Fund, Porthcawl Buckaneers, Porthcawl and Pyle Boxing Club, St. John Ambulance, Porthcawl Coastguard Association, Porthcawl RNLI Lifeboat Station and Rest Bay Lifeguard Club all of whom have been involved in helping the Swim over many years.

Both Vic Davies and Chris Hughes were thanked by the Organisers for their support in leading out the swimmers once again. Spokesperson, Ian Stroud, said “This has been our most successful swim ever, with over 850 swimmers. The scene at Sandy Bay was very exciting and something I will always remember”.

Treasurer Marilyn Richards said, “Thanks to the generosity of spectators and sponsored swimmers we are able to give to the community. Unfortunately not all swimmers notify us of their individual sponsorship and donations so we can only estimate that the community probably benefits by at least £7000. We would like to thank all swimmers, individuals, businesses and organisations that help in so many ways to make the swim such a successful event in the town’s calendar”.

STAN HOWELLS

This year the 43rd Christmas Morning Swim is dedicated to Stan Howells the swim's secretary who sadly passed away in January, aged 79 (or so he claimed)!

Stan was totally committed to the swim and worked incredibly hard for its success. We were pleased that, although very ill, he was able to watch the record eight hundred plus brave folk who participated in 2006 - the smile on Stan's face said it all. He will be greatly missed and our condolences and sympathy go to his widow, Maureen and family.

Stan would not want anyone to be sad on the day and we are sure that he will now be co-ordinating fine weather in the company of his fellow swim organisers, Arlon Owens and Roy Morgan!

More Site Problems - 5th Dec 2007

Due to poor service from our hosting provider, our database is not working and this means our image gallery, message page and sponsor form download service are not working. Please bear with us as we're doing all that we can to get things back to normal.

Site Problems - 6th Nov 2007

The Porthcawl Christmas Morning Swim site has been the subject of some malicious hacking recently. We have brought the site back and taken more precautions to prevent such things happening in the future.

Biggest Ever Swim (again!) - 25th Dec 2006

With all previous records broken, more than 680 swimmers took the traditional Christmas morning dip in the sea at Sandy Bay Porthcawl whilst an estimated 3000 spectators cheered them on. 

With a crowded beach Porthcawl Coastguards fired a maroon to signal the run down the beach from the Hi-Tide Inn to the sea at 11.45am.  The procession of swimmers of all ages, male and female, were applauded as the spectators gave their full support to this the 42nd event. Swimmers from all over the UK and even Hong Kong and Australia took part. Veteran swimmer Ken James of Ogmore Vale, Bridgend, claimed to be the oldest entrant at 80 and 27 previous Christmas swims to his credit. At the other end of the age spectrum there were many young children and their parents taking part. The swim is a truly family event with many different generations of the same family taking to the water.

Collections are made during carol singing and during the swim itself. A spokes person from the swim Committee, Ian Stroud, said, “This has been our most successful swim ever, and the number of people that turned up was fantastic, it far exceeded our expectations especially as the day was overcast.  We hope the collections will surpass previous years and with many swimmers being sponsored this year there should be even more financial support for local organisations. As a small committee we are delighted the way we have been supported once again this year, I would like to thank all swimmers, spectators, individuals, businesses and organisations who help in so many ways to make the swim such a successful event in the towns calendar.  The atmosphere this year was very special, one couple who had never attended before came to speak to committee member, Marilyn Richards and said they had never experienced such an event and would definitely be back next year with their swim wear. To have such a crowded beach, at this time of the year goes to prove that some of our departed founder swimmers were looking down on us and allowing very reasonable conditions for a swim that saw more people in the water than on most summer days”. 

Add us on MYSPACE - 23rd Dec 2006

Yes, that's right. We've got a myspace page up and running. It's early days so there's not much on there right now. If you have a myspace account already, please go to...

http://www.myspace.com/christmasswim

...and add us as a friend. Also, seeing as it's Christmas, please make us your number one friend, at least until it's all over for this year.

Sandville Chosen to Recieve Money - 19th Dec 2006

This year, the swim organisers have already decided on a main charity to benefit from the proceeds of the swim. The very deserving Sandville Self Help Centre at Kenfig will recieve the main part of funds raised.

The Sandville has a support group for all patients and families. Overnight stay facilities (10 beds), family log cabin (sleeps 4). They run a variety of activities including healthy eating, gentle yoga, relaxation, hydrotherapy pool and gymnasium, discussion group, aromatherapy, reflexology, self hypnosis, massage, reiki, home and hospital visiting, volunteer care service, gym, conference centre, therapy pool.

The centre relies on the generosity of others, so please consider this when registering to swim.

42nd Swim - 20th Nov 2006

Organisers are expecting a good attendance at Porthcawl’s 42nd Christmas Morning Swim.  Last year broke all records with over 600 swimmers and over three thousand spectators all enjoying the festivities and exceptional weather.  

To-date people’s generosity has allowed the swim committee to donate well in excess of £45,000 to local organisations.   

Following requests from swimmers it was again agreed to continue with sponsorship forms for those people who wish to raise money for the Swim’s chosen organisations or charities of their choice. This year the swim committee has nominated Sandville as their main beneficiary. On the day itself the proceedings will start at 11.00am in the Hi-tide square, Mackworth Road. Swimmers are requested to sign-in by 11:15; this will allow time before the swim at 11.45am. 

Father Christmas and his helpers will, give away 1000 Swim mugs on the morning to the children and swimmers.  Again students from Porthcawl Comprehensive submitted designs for the mug as part of the Christmas Morning Swims involvement in the local community.  This year’s winning student, Rachel Ellis, will be presented with her prize at the school just before Christmas. 

Committee secretary Stan Howells, who has attended each of the previous 41 swims, said, “On behalf of the Christmas Swim Committee may I thank all of our sponsors, the swimmers and the public for their support, without which this charitable event would not be possible.  I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very happy and peaceful Christmas”. 

New Website - 20th Nov 2006

You are now viewing the new and slightly improved Christmas Morning Swim website. (Well, I think so anyway!)

Record Swim - 14th Nov 2006

Christmas 2005 saw the biggest swim in the 40+ years history. An astounding 600+ swimmers entered the sea. Thousands came to watch and the weather was fine. Can we do it again this year? Well we're hoping that maybe we can top our new record. Maybe even get on TV again. Come join in!