Chief Constable joins in Swim of Peace in Tunisia

Cumbria Constabulary’s Chief Constable as completed his part in the Swim of Peace in Tunisia. He arrived in Tunisia on 26th May to join an international delegation of swimmers who joined the Tunisian swimmers Nejib Belhedi on his Swim of Peace initiative.

Chief Constable Hyde said: “I was asked by my good friend Thomas Noblett to take part in an event to commemorate the revolution in Tunisia. Without doubt the commitment of one Tunisian, Nejib Belhedi has been a testament of encouragement for swimming as a way of celebrating the change from an absolute Presidency to a democratic one. Nejibs 1400km venture to cover the entire coastline is a big quest.

“To be part of that journey is an honour, on one of the days we created a unique Tunisian heart through the water with the team pilling up 100km distance. Nejib described it as water ballet an orchestrated swim designed to show the heart and love in Tunisia.

“Our hosts have been magnificent and this is a great place for travel tourism and for enjoyment. Most of all its becoming a democracy where, to quote Nejib "the president serves the people and after his term of office remains a citizen and can shop like everyone else", an important if somewhat irreverent view of a new democratic era for Tunisia.

“The heart is a sign of peace creating the shape through swimming was a symbol of the need for peace for societies to thrive. In this year of the Olympics we hope that the games will also act to bring nations and strangers together though sport. As a democrat and public servant I am grateful for the chance to be part of recognising this change.”