Tradition continues as Brummies take a swim in freezing water

Dec 26 2007 By Jasbir Authi

BRAVE swimmers carried on a centuries-old tradition by taking a plunge in a near freezing Birmingham pool.

Around 40 hardy men, women and children, dived into Blackroot Pool in Sutton Park yesterday morning, cheered on by 400 supporters as part of the annual Christmas Day swim.

The swimmers, in Father Christmas hats, spent a couple of minutes warming up lakeside while some had a nip of scotch to give them an extra bit of courage.

They then dived in and performed a few honorary laps before emerging minutes later smiling but shaking with cold.

The participants, who were mainly from the Sutton Coldfield Rugby Club, performed the dive to raise money for various charities, including Headway, which helps people with head injuries.

Peter Moore, aged 54, a member of Sutton Coldfield Rugby Club, took his eighth dip yesterday, and raised £1,000.

Mr Moore, an export manager for Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, said: "It was very icy but that's the point, we wouldn't be able to raise as much money if it wasn't so cold.

"We like the fact that we are carrying on a very old Sutton tradition which has been going since the 1800s.

"You don't prepare, you just turn up on the day and do it. Lots of people say we are mad but we still do it."