Swimmers scuppered by water shortage!

FED UP: George Meynell, Tony Ashton and Jimmy Holiday, with the Icebreaker Trophy, had to make do with the warmer surrounds of Chadderton pool.

HARDY swimmers were left out of the cold when their 25th anniversary New Year dip at Redbrook Reservoir was scuppered.

The freezing conditions were perfect for the annual ice breaking event on January 1 by Royton Bluefins.

But they were sunk by the a lack of water after the reservoir was drained for maintenance. Instead, they had to make do with the slightly warmer climes of the new Chadderton pool.

Members of the long-distance swimming club have celebrated the New Year with a swim at the Stanedge reservoir since 1985.

Rochdale Tri Club also takes part and George Meynell (65), Bluefins’ oldest swimmer, said: “We have only ever missed it once before and that was when there was some blue algae in about 1995.

“It’s a bit of a disappointment really — the conditions were ideal for it with ice and snow!”

Mr Meynell also raises money for Dr Kershaw’s Hospice from the swim.

He said that it would return next year and added: “A lot of people do these swims across the country but because Redbrook is so high, it is always cold and it is always windy. It’s a challenge.”