A row over wild swimming at a notorious lake where four people have drowned has escalated after 'right to roam' activists joined a trespass campaign at the site.
Enthusiasts want to continue to take to the water at the Brickyard Lake at Bawsey Country Park, on the outskirts of King's Lynn, against the wishes of the owners and local council.
They have staged a series of 'trespass dips' at the former quarry - most recently on Sunday, when 15 people took part - and are not ruling out returning to the water.
They have been joined at the last three swims by a member from the Norwich Right to Roam group, which is campaigning for a Scottish-style ‘right to roam’ to be made legal in the region.
Under Scottish laws, people have the right to responsible access to almost anywhere in the country provided they follow the outdoor access code.
The member of the Right to Roam group - who would only give his name as Simon - said: “My understanding is, it’s perfectly safe to swim in this lake, as long as you take reasonable precautions. A blanket ban on swimming, it’s just not appropriate.
“Swimming doesn’t come without its dangers, be that in the sea, or here. This is a relatively safe place to swim, we have no currents and a smooth entrance, but of course, there are dangers.”
A feud over swimming in the lake has been going on for months - with a group of wild swimmers staging protest swims at the site since September.
Imogen Radford, a retired trade union officer from Dereham who organised Sunday’s swim, said: “People will continue to swim here, whether we hold an event or not.
“We just want to make sure everyone gets home safely.”
She added: “We say to the landowner and the council, we have the same aims. We have the same wishes to not have people come to harm, we think there’s a different way of doing it, so let's work together on it.”
The 64-year-old said that she has an agreement with the landowner of another lake in Norfolk that allows wild swims in the waters and the swimmers help out by picking litter.
Before the trespass event, Bawsey Country Park and West Norfolk Council issued statements advising people not to take part.
On Sunday a member of the park team watched over the swimmers.
A spokesman for the park said: "Bawsey Country Park has very clear rules. These rules are displayed on signs across the site in text and pictorial form.
“We urge that people respect the park rules and respect the park."
WHY I SWIM IN OPEN WATER
For most people, a cold November day does not sound like ideal swimming conditions - let alone water temperature being as low as 8.9 degrees, so why are swimmers jumping in?
We spoke to a handful of the wild swimmers to find their reasons why.
Susie Mullins, from Swaffham, said: “I suffer from depression and anxiety and this swim helps. The evidence is clear of the way your body responds to cold water. This is bigger than just having the right to swim, it is also a health-giving activity.”
Jean Berrigan, said: “It is the most amazing feeling, it's like diamonds on your skin, as well as the health benefits, it's a feeling you cannot replicate. For me it is meditated, I'm in nature, I have bird song, the sound of cattle, the observation of a wagtail or a quick glance of a kingfisher, occasionally otters joining us or swans and the 360-degree views of nature and trees and freedom.
Bryn Dymott said: “It is brilliant, it makes you feel a lot better. I am a swimming addict and have been open-water swimming for 15 years now. I would say anyone who can swim should get into some open water.
“This water is no different from any other. if you are unable to swim or incapable of swimming then all water is dangerous, this is probably a lot safer than most."
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