New Year Big Dip sees almost 50 bathers brave sea at Mablethorpe

The event was organised, as always, by Flanders Friends, a community group who strive to raise monies for Armed Forces charities.

The Big Dip was set up to raise monies for The Poppy Appeal nine years ago and this was the ninth Dip to be held at Mablethorpe North Promenade.

Flanders friends secretary Sam Ramsden commented: “The wind was blowing, the air was a crisp two degrees when we arrived at 8am to set the event area up. Bobby, from Snack Shack cafe on North Prom, arrived shortly after to open the cafe and beach huts for us, which he kindly lets us use free of charge every year."

People started to arrive just after 9am to register and the area was soon buzzing with nerves, excitement, fabulous costumes and eager spectators.

The wind had thankfully dropped and the temperature risen to five degrees.

Sam paid tribute to the RNLI Mablethorpe lifeboat crew, CJN First Aid and Coastguard, whose 23 members were all present for everyone's safety along with organisers from Flanders Friends. RNLI crew members stood guard in their all-weather gear in the crashing surf while the Coastguards waited at the water’s edge.

The dippers were cheered on by around 200 spectators as they entered the sea, who were then waiting with towels as the swimmers came out.

Among the 47 dippers who went into the sea, many in fancy dress, was Mablethorpe Mayor Carl Tebbutt. The current Mayor usually attends to hand out the medals to the participants but this is the first time that a Mayor in office has taken part in the dip itself.

All dippers were presented with a medal by Coun Tebbutt, who said: “It was really cold, but I have ended up raising about £400 for charity.

"It was a nice boost for the town.”

• Thanks to Andy Schofield, Tracy Yapp, Jane Dale, Sam Ramsden, Steve Walton, Lorraine Bailes-Collins, Carl Tebbutt, Tich Tinkler, Steve Atherton and Miss Lily Lovejoy for supplying photos of the event.