Blue Lamp Trail 30th June

The Blue Lamp Trial


Next week I am embarking on my longest swim. The length of Windermere. The intention is two-fold. First to raise awareness of the Blue Lamp Foundation
http://bluelamp-foundation.org/

Second to raise funding for it.

The mission of the Foundation is
The money that we raise is used to relieve the financial hardship that some personnel of the Emergency Services may face after being criminally injured whilst on duty.

We are aiming to raise £1million by 2013, which will be three years after forming.

On the 30th June I will race Thomas Noblet to the participate in the first Blue Lamp Trial. It will start at 9am and involves us swimming the length of Lake Windermere.
This will be the longest in time and distance I have ever swam. So the unknown.

But it's worth it. I can't think it could in any way approach the pain and suffering many colleagues have endured as a result of criminal attacks and assault.

We want to show support to the families and friends of those injured and to help the Foundation. The Foundation was established by David Rathband and we support it to mark the impact that David had on policing. He is remembered with pride.
We hope that we can do something to help our show rct for his life and contribution to keeping our society safe.

If you can support the Blue Lamp Trial use the link below and donate

http://www.justgiving.com/StuHyde



Thank you

Blue Lamp trial

Ok here's the deal. 30th June swim the length of Lake Windermere. That's it.
If you can support me on the day that would be great. If not follow the link and donate a few bob to the Blue lamp Foundation
http://www.justgiving.com/StuHyde

Thanks

Visit to the Deer Initiative

Last week I had the pleasure of visiting the Deer Initiative within Cumbria and spent time talking to national experts about the challenges of retaining a balance amongst the sometimes competing issues. We covered the types of deer, their habitats and risks to them as well as the risks to people from vehicle related accidents. The number of road accidents involving deer is high and was brought close to home by one involving a colleague that week. Luckily no injuries.
One of the interesting issues was the status of deer as res nullius ie they are owned by no one. The Deer Initiative is a partnership and like so many such relationships it's value exceeds the sum of its constituent parts. Whilst covering issues of Deer in the rural countryside we explored Deer in urban environments.
The site http://www.thedeerinitiative.co.uk/best_practice/
covers the initiative but also identifies agreed good practice.
In my role as ACPO lead for Wildlife and Rural crime it was very useful to see the extent of collaboration and the integration of statutory and voluntary sectors alongside land owners. Many issues shared, many views exchanged. I look forward to developing good working relationships with those involved.
My thanks to the Graythwaite Estate, Cumbria Deer Project, John Thornley, Peter Watson and Alastair Boston and to colleagues from the Forestry Commission who helped make the visit so informative.

About Najib

The guy behind the swim is Najib Belhadi
Here is his swimming CV
http://openwaterpedia.com/index.php?title=Nejib_Belhedi
A remarkable and jolly man whose ideology of peace drives his work. His water accomplishments are legendary and nothing is too much for this incredible man.
He has built up an awesome reputation for getting things done and tomorrows swim is but one of many
He has written a poem about the aq which is below. It may not translate exactly but the core message of peace runs throughout.

"Neither the strong currents stop him,
Nor the wide sea immensity downs him,

Nor then the media would be unfair for him,
He continues his swim quietly and patiently,

He loves swimming for peace and it's a lifestyle with respect to nature as a principle for him,
Speaking by swim to express peace with the peoples is his ultimo goal,
Whenever he thinks, the sea waves dedicate a blue melody for him,

A big bang from the dark depth of the sea blesses him:
When large waves wake up, the breeze pools bend in reverence before him,
And never the tree hiding the forest!

It’s a question of ‘To be or not to be’ for him!
The Open Water Swimming Home is faithful.

They never forgets its free swimmers,
We see his arms thank the waves across each meter he swims.
It’s already a prelude to a new victory for him.

Moreover, with only his google, cap and swimsuit!
He believes with his companions to change the world for the better!

Mahdia is witnesses for the dove flying over her sea of peace!"

Preparation time for peace Swim

Ok we have 4 languages 10 swimmers coast guard and 3 separate Zodiac support boats and a large sailing vessel. The idea is to create a swimming heart. One team swims straight ie the slow ones ( incl me) then one team on the left wing one on the right. The wing teams swim faster and join the slow team to create the heart at 2 hours then 2 hours swim back.
Sounds simple. Then we need feeding water etc. should be fun.

Najib in full briefing mode attached

Day 2

Last night we met up with Najib and the Maltese team for the main swim tomorrow. This morning we had out first practice. The idea is to create a heart shaped swim with one team swimming straight and two teams covering the sides. It was as Najib calls it Water ballet not the Olympics. Many would not associate me with doing ballet. However we started and it seems to work.
Najib is an ex military officer who is completely devoted to Tunisia. An important message he gave me this morning was about the importance of political power. To paraphrase "a president should work for the country and then when he ends his term of office should take his trolley shopping at the supermarket He doesn't own the country he works for it"
Very appropriate
A great crew so far and a real team challenge. As Najib states, we need to be like Dolphins, effortlessly sliding through the water as a team
This is quickly turning into one of those many management exercises to synchronise 3 nationalities to take on a complex task. Great fun

Why we are here

The swim is to commemorate the Tunisian Revolution and is a swim for Peace. The event we are joining is only a very small part of the total swim of 1400kms along the entire coastline. It is, in a small way, an opportunity to show respect for the fundamental changes that have taken place across many countries.
For info on the Arab Spring there are many sites however here is one that is more appropriate about Tunisia
http://international.ucla.edu/cnes/conferences/tunisia/