MINEHEAD and West Somerset Swimming Club’s annual presentation evening and AGM at Minehead Social Club saw a good turnout of swimmers.

A presentation was made to Dawn Coleman as she stood down as club chairman after three years and many other years on the committee.

Cherry Coward was also presented with a gift for her many years of work on the committee and as welfare officer.

There have been many changes to the club in the last year, with new head coach Jack Foster being appointed.

Along with the rest of the coaches, he decided to use only those swimmers who train regularly with Minehead and West Somerset Swimming Club in the Cotswold Series, and although this meant the club did perform as well as in previous years, the feeling was that there was a much stronger team spirit and that more local talent was being nurtured.

With this in mind, Mr Foster spoke about how he hoped the club would go from strength to strength and that more swimmers would gain entry to the county championships next March.

Colin Christmas, former head coach, was there as a guest to hand out the awards, and certificates were presented to all swimmers who had competed in the Cotswold Series from January to May, which saw the club competing as far away as Pontypool and Bristol.

Swimmers who competed in the Rotary Club’s annual Swimathon were also awarded with certificates.

The girls’ team of Heidi Atkins, Chessie Coleman, Abi Gorton, Rhia Knowlson, Sam Milliship and Tilly Phillips, who not only won the girls team award but also the overall award for most lengths swum, were presented with their trophies.

Certificates and cups were also presented to the following for the fastest 200 metre front crawl swims in each age group at recent time trials held by the club: Girls, age 8 Chloe Bown, age 9 Lily Clark, age 10 Katie Wilmot, age 11 Brooke Cahill, age 12 Emma Perkins, age 13 Sophie Bray, age 14 Tilly Phillips, age 15 Heidi Atkins, open Rhia Knowlson; boys, age 9 Luke Hill, age 10 Josh Green, age 11 Tom Milliship, age 12 Louis Stanbury, age 13 Martell Payn, age 14 Alex Attwell, age 15 Samir Abraham, age 16 Liam Hoyle, open Adam Fieldhouse.

The Colin Christmas Cup for the most improved 200 metre freestyle time went to Greg Horrobin.

Swimmers of the year trophies were awarded to Jodie Prescott (juniior girl), Tom Milliship (junior boy), Tilly Phillips (senior girl) and Alex Attwell (senior boy).

The club is currently looking for a new chairman and anyone interested should contact Kate Atkins at [email protected]

The club train on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays at Butlins – for more details email the same address.