Thirty Chard swimmers entered the Annual Clevedon and Chard Open Meet, writes Hannah Pullinger.

Now in its sixth year - held at Weston Super Mare – the local swimmers were aged from nine to 17.

Many swimmers turned in excellent all-round performances in all events they entered, and two achieved Top Boy or Girl Awards for their age groups in spite of having to withdraw from some events due to the popularity of the meet resulting in it quickly becoming over-subscribed.

Awards went to Elisha Hawkins in the 13 year girls age group and Henry Taswell in the 12 year boys age group, with runner-up Jamie Pullinger in the 14 year age group and third place Simon Davis in the 11 year age group.

Special mention also goes to 9-year-old Harriet Copeman who was swimming in her first ever open meet, and achieved a silver medal in her 50m freestyle event.

Top three positions were achieved by: Hannah Pullinger 17, gold 100m freestyle, and bronze 100m butterfly ; Ben Fowler 17, gold 200m backstroke; Oliver Bilbie 15, gold 100m backstroke; Melissa Hanson 15, gold 100 and 200m backstroke, 200m individual medley, silver 200m freestyle, bronze 100m breaststroke; Jamie Pullinger 14, gold 100 and 200m backstroke and 200m breaststroke, silver 100m breaststroke, and bronze in 100m butterfly ; Paul Harrison 14, bronze 100m and 200m freestyle, 100m breaststroke; Elisha Hawkins 13, gold 100 freestyle, 200m breaststroke, 200m individual medley, bronze 200m butterfly, 200m freestyle; Lewis Pearson 13, gold 100m backstroke, silver 200m freestyle, Abi Bonning 12, gold 100m freestyle, bronze 100m breaststroke; Henry Taswell 12, gold 100m freestyle, 200m individual medley, 100m backstroke, 100 and 200m butterfly; Jess Fowler 11, silver 50m freestyle; Harriet Copeman 9, silver 50m freestyle.

Other swimmers who competed, many gaining top eight medal positions and personal best times were; Lauren Harrison 15, Iain Ross 14, Hope Horsfield 14, Florence Swan 14, Grace Haskins 13, Simon Davis 11, Joss Copeman 11, Oliver Bright 11, Xanthe Dyer 11, Holly Dickinson 11, Abi Morgan 11, Helen Underwood 11,

Imogen Waterhouse 10, Eden McDonald 10, Leonie Housham 10, Leo Bonning 10 and Michael Moulding 10,

The Club would like to thank all parents and coaches who helped make the Meet a success again this year, especially Petra Bright and Jenny Bonning, and all parents and sponsors who made generous contributions.

Chard Swimming Club are always looking for new members; if you would like to find out more or arrange a free trial visit their web-site at www.chardswimming.org