BRIGG COUNCILLOR SOUNDS WARNING OVER 'VERY DANGEROUS' SWIMMING IN RIVERS AND PONDS

A Brigg councillor is urging people not to go swimming in rivers and ponds, fearing they may get into difficulty.
Coun Rob Waltham, as the Leader of North Lincolnshire Council,  said: “With the recent hot weather we are seeing more and more people putting themselves in danger around open water at places such as Ashby Ville pond, other nature reserves and rivers. We would urge people not to swim or enter the open water as it is very dangerous.
“At Ashby Ville pond, in particular, many hidden hazards lay below the surface of the water, and the temperature can suddenly drop, putting any swimmer in difficulty.
“Open water is not a safe environment to swim in and should be avoided at all times, and especially if a person has been drinking. If people would like to swim, there are lots of swimming pools in North Lincolnshire.”
In a press release on this topic, the council says:

During hot weather increasing numbers of people, especially children, put themselves at risk of drowning in open water and on average 40 to 50 children drown each year in the UK. It is important to teach children to spot and keep away from dangers associated with open water.
The dangers of open water include:

• It is very cold in comparison to indoor pools or shallow water – the initial shock of falling into the open water may cause panic and the weight of their clothing will make it more difficult to swim
• There may be hidden currents
• It can be difficult to get out of open water with steep and slimy muddy banks or vertical mooring points
• It can be deep with hidden shelves and sharp drop-offs close to the bank’s edge
• There may be hidden rubbish hiding below the water surface
• There are no lifeguards or lifesaving aids nearby
• The water may be polluted with chemicals and may make you ill.

N.F ADDS: Only a few hours after receiving this news release, Brigg Blog was re-reading The History of Brigg Grammar School (Part Two), written in 1969 by Dr Frank Henthorn and containing many memories penned by past pupils. One of them recalled in the 1930s how a particular pupil used to inch his way along a bridge on the River Ancholme, hang on by his fingertips and then drop into the centre of the water beneath. Fortunately, not dead centre, we are pleased to say. He lived to tell the tale.  We now live in a very different era, and Coun Waltham's comments, should be heeded. There's a council-run swimming pool - Ancholme Leisure Centre, Scawby Brook -  people of all ages can use if they want a dip. And it's located only a few yards from the river.