Courage beyond doubt!

Despite biting winds and freezing temperatures, members and friends of Clacton Swimming Club gathered on the West Beach on Christmas Day morning to make their mad dash into the water.

There were one or two of the regular faces who decided discretion was the better part of valour and stayed wrapped up against the elements.

However, a wide range of ages - from young children right up to grandparents - refused to be put off.

They were cheered on from the lower promenade by a large crowd of several hundred people standing by with towels and warm clothing for the swimmers as they returned from the water.

Simon Kedge, a longstanding club member who was home for Christmas from the Netherlands where he now lives, was one of those to take the plunge.

"I can't tell what the temperature is in there but it's absolutely freezing," he said.

"The strong easterly winds have made sure of that."

Even Steve Hunt, who normally completes several hundred yards between groynes wasn't staying in for more than a couple of seconds this year.

However, by taking a quick dip they managed to keep up a tradition which goes back well over 50 years.

Blow for big dippers

Traditional Boxing Day swimmers at Harwich were missing this year because building work has taken away their usual diving board.

Members of the 4th Dovercourt Sea Scouts usually take the festive bank holiday as an opportunity to make a sponsored dip into the briny deep.

The tradition has lasted for the past four years and last year's event raised cash for the new scout hut being built in Barrack Lane.

But this yule the divers and swimmers were nowhere to be seen.

Organisers and Sea Scouts members said they had to call the annual event off because there was nothing to dive off at Harwich Quay.

The scouts used the former Harbour Ferry terminal as their spring board but the timber structure was taken away during rebuilding this year of the historic Ha'penny Pier by Harwich Haven Authority.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.