HATHERLEIGH Walruses’ annual New Year’s Day dip was once again a great success.

The event was run by Bryony Cox who, dressed as the school headmistress, led her band of intrepid pantomime characters to the bank of the River Lew on a cold and windy first day of 2018.

A large crowd gathered on the bridge to watch this variation on the school nativity play, where Mary gave birth to a rather large baby Jesus, overseen by the king. 

The play is held annually on behalf of local charities and this year the group are seeking to raise funds for the Hatherleigh Carnival Committee to help purchase a marquee for the town square, for concerts and festivals.

The group is also generating funds for the town’s football club to start upgrading its facilities. 

To raise funds the actors are sponsored to spend five minutes in the icy waters of the River Lew which, following recent rains, was running quickly on New Year’s Day and required careful management.

Once complete the group adjourned to Hatherleigh Cricket Club to warm up and hold a charity auction. 

Pictures by Mick Burke - See more in tomorrow’s Okehampton Times.