THERE was a huge turnout of swimmers in Minehead for a charity beach to pub swim event on Tuesday (August 15) to raise funds for Surfers Against Sewage.
Depending on individual ability, more than 40 swimmers set out from varying start points on the town’s main beach and headed toward the harbour slipway.
Minehead Sailing and Watersports Club provided kayak safety support, making sure that everybody made the crossing, from the first to arrive until the last person out of the water.
Once dry and warm, the swimmers had a celebratory drink at the harbour, as well as the ‘obligatory cake’.
The event was instigated by local resident Lucy Henderson to celebrate her 60th birthday, and an online fund-raising page she set up has so far raised more than £1,100 for the marine conservation and campaigning charity.
The swimmers were from two Minehead groups, Minehead Polar Bears and Minehead Mermaids.
Swimming happens year round and dippers are often to be found at high tide on the beach opposite Dana’s fish and chip shop.
Spokesman Martyn Pratt said both groups would extend a welcome to anybody who was interested in joining them.
Ms Henderson said: “The red flags and sewage alerts around our British coastline is unacceptable.
“Pollution plagues our rivers, seas, and coasts, making us sick, spoiling our favourite swim spots, destroying delicate ecosystems and killing our wildlife.
“The ocean and planet are under threat, we need to act now.
“I am fortunate enough not to want for anything and therefore I would like donations to this worthy cause instead of gifts or cards for my birthday.”
Minehead was developed into the coastal town it is today from the late 1700s and early 1800s on the back of sea swimming becoming a popular pastime.
However, swimming off the West Somerset coast has been blighted in recent years by the dumping of sewage into the sea, giving rise to campaigns run by Surfers Against Sewage.
Ms Henderson’s online funding page can be found here https://www.justgiving.com/page/lucy-henderson-1691147813406.