Sir,
Please accept our sincere appreciation for both your excellent coverage of the 2010 Saundersfoot New Year's Day Swim and the publicity you allowed us in the weeks prior to the event.
We are delighted that a record 1,260 swimmers braved the elements, watched by the largest crowd Saundersfoot has seen.
Such events do not just happen. It takes a great deal of preparation and co-operation between many individuals and organisations, to whom, through your newspaper, we extend our gratitude.
Support of our sponsors guarantees that every penny raised by the swimmers goes to the relevant charities.
I thank our main sponsor, Powell's Cottage Holidays, N. D. Toy and Partners Independent Financial, Mortgage and Equity Release Advisers, Chevron, BMW Green Bower, Neil Finlay Cars, Wogan Guest House, Silcox Coaches, Ffos Las Racecourse, Folly Farm, Sign Box, County Financial Consultants and Dragon Catering (Phil Odley).
I thank Roger Hayes, Davy Young, Chris and Butch for preparing and clearing the beach; Tongwynlais Temperance Silver Band for entertaining the crowds; Kevin Lloyd for his excellent commentary; Melissa McPhee and Llanelli Scarlets' cheerleaders, the Red Kites; Westcoast Fireworks; Gareth Davies for capturing the moment; Jo Randles (Mira Motion Pictures); Betty Duncan for the highest sponsor award and for sponsoring the mascot race; the mascots themselves - who included our very own 'Charlie Shivers' and of course the winner Henry Horse (Folly Farm); Ritchie Preece for his organisational expertise; the invaluable help we get from the staff at Evans' Newsagents; all services - Dyfed Powys Police, RNLI, HM Coastguard, St. John, Pembroke Paddlers (Rob John); Tenby Surf and Rescue; beachmaster Jules Rilstone; Ben Stone and Pembrokeshire Radio; Mr. and Mrs. Peter Williams and Saundersfoot Community Council, under chairman, Clr. Clifton John, for the efficient way they presented the medals.
We thank all celebrities who agreed to wear the swim shirt - retired First Minister Rhodri Morgan; Wales' favourite meteorologist, Derek Brockway, and rugby players, Tom Shanklin (Cardiff Blues), Mark, Dafydd and Stephen Jones (Llanelli Scarlets) and also the celebrities who turned out on the day to officially start the swim, namely Anna Ryder-Richardson and Charles Dale.
A special thank you to Tenby and District Fire Brigade for their invaluable support and for ensuring a swift exit from the beach for all swimmers.
We would like to thank all those individuals and groups who swam, as well as all who sponsored them.
The fact that almost all wear fancy dress ensures that the swim is such a fantastic and colourful spectacle.
Coverage of the day's events can be viewed on You Tube (Saundersfoot Swim 2010) and photos can be viewed on the swim's website http://www.saundersfootnyds.co.uk">www.saundersfootnyds.co.uk.
The New Year's Swim has become such an important day for the entire village.
It brings us together as a community and the celebrations last well into the late evening.
It is a tribute to this area of the county that three adjacent coastal resorts can arrange three such magnificent swims.
Martyn Williams,
Chairman,
Saundersfoot Festivities.