What a lovely day for a swim - not! (From Barry And District News)

What a lovely day for a swim - not!

BRAVE swimmers from Barry surf life-saving club and a couple of fool-hardy friends took a shivery dip on New Year's Day.

Since the club began 15 years ago, members have found a radical hangover cure by braving the freezing waters off Barry Island every January 1, and for the last two years, they have raised money for charity.

Melissa Dowton told the News: "I've done the swim for the last ten years, but I'm six months pregnant, so had a good reason not to this year! But my husband Jamie did, as did his brother Matthew."

Cllr Rob Curtis, who also took part in the last two swims, asked the club if he could use the event to raise money for Ty Hafan.

Even though he didn't strip down to his trunks this New Year, it seems as though someone else joined in to raise funds for charity. Ian Michael, of Smeaton Close, Rhoose, who works for Borden Chemicals managed to raise £750 for Ty Hafan.

He said: "I don't want to steal anyone else's thunder, because we all enjoyed the madness. But I would like to thank the people who supported my swim. It was great fun . . . cold, but great fun."

The swimmers all stayed in the icy waters for about five minutes. Melissa added: "The guys couldn't have stayed there for much longer. According to some of the people in the club, this was one of the coldest on record. Even the sand was frozen. So, although the day looked glorious and sunny, it was incredibly cold."

Those taking part were Andrew Orchard, Ian Michael and members of the surf life-saving club Richard Foscolo, Alex Bazley, Bryan Taylor, Jamie Downton, Matt Downton, Scott Browne, Jayne Aleley, Matt Salter, Jamie Griffiths, Paul Roberts, Glyn Price, Steve Hunt and a dog called Murphy.