Bluefins frozen out as reservoir remains empty

COLD snap . . . Bluefins at a previous swim session

HARDY swimmers at Royton Bluefins won’t be breaking the ice again this year.

Members of the group usually plunge into the chilly Redbrook Reservoir, Standedge, for their annual Icebreaker trophy contest on New Year’s Day.

But with the drained reservoir still not refilled after £650,000 repairs to stabilise the dam and reline pipes, swimmers won’t be braving freezing temperatures to welcome in the New Year.

The Bluefins couldn’t stage the event last year either and had to make do with a dip at Chadderton Baths. But they hope to revive the tradition next year.

Member George Meynell said: “They were supposed to be refilling it but the reservoir is still empty so we aren’t bothering this year.

“Hopefully we will bring it back next year. I’m disappointed. We have had 25 years of good swimming together but there’s only a hardcore of six to seven of us left.”