NF01 November/December 2023
Issue one of nearfield celebrates new beginnings across the region. We get excited about the reopening of Bristol Beacon, meet the hardy dippers revelling in the cold waters of the restored Cleveland Pools, find out what the Bristol Old Vic's new artistic director has planned; and explore the vintage shops, upcycling workshops, and reclamation yards breathing fresh life into old. We also keep readers moving through winter with a guide to indoor and outdoor activities, and meet the Icebreakers in our first community takeover. Plus we round up all the best events, experiences, and food and drink in the southwest this winter.
Issue one of nearfield celebrates new beginnings across the region. We get excited about the reopening of Bristol Beacon, meet the hardy dippers revelling in the cold waters of the restored Cleveland Pools, find out what the Bristol Old Vic's new artistic director has planned; and explore the vintage shops, upcycling workshops, and reclamation yards breathing fresh life into old. We also keep readers moving through winter with a guide to indoor and outdoor activities, and meet the Icebreakers in our first community takeover. Plus we round up all the best events, experiences, and food and drink in the southwest this winter.
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54 Cleveland Pools<br />
A COOL HEAD<br />
Helen Webster is an open-water<br />
swimming coach and runs regular coldwater<br />
workshops in the region. Here are<br />
her top tips for staying safe.<br />
1<br />
“Gradually immerse yourself, and only<br />
start swimming once you are calm and<br />
your breathing is under control.”<br />
2<br />
“Exit the water while you still feel good;<br />
shivering or loss of motor function are<br />
signs you’ve been in too long.”<br />
Nat Johnson lives on a boat, and cruises<br />
back and forth between Devizes and Bath.<br />
And when she’s not navigating water or<br />
sleeping on it, she likes to be in it. Moored<br />
on the Kennet and Avon Canal, a few<br />
metres’ walk from Cleveland Pools, she’s<br />
making them an exception to her blanket<br />
ban on swimming pools.<br />
“I don’t do lane swimming or go to<br />
swimming pools, so this is the closest I’d<br />
get to that. It feels outdoorsy enough. I feel<br />
the same about indoor pools as I do about<br />
supermarkets – they make me feel cooped<br />
up. It’s different here, and it’s clean! Last<br />
year, I got into cold-water dipping. I’d go for<br />
a swim in the river, but wouldn’t want to put<br />
my head in the water. This year, I’ve started<br />
learning to swim properly, doing it for<br />
exercise and fitness as well, so coming here,<br />
or to Vobster Quay or Cromhall Quarry, is<br />
somewhere I can do more of that.”<br />
3<br />
“Neoprene gloves, boots and caps can<br />
make things much more comfortable.<br />
Put a wetsuit on, too, if you prefer.”<br />
4<br />
“Enjoy being in nature, share the experience<br />
with friends, and never swim alone.”<br />
5<br />
“Get dried and dressed quickly. Due to<br />
the ‘afterdrop’, we feel chilliest around ten<br />
minutes after swimming. So no faffing!”<br />
6<br />
“Eat cake after your swim. Always.”<br />
Find Helen on Instagram at<br />
@helenwebster_swimcoaching and<br />
helenwebsterswimcoaching.com<br />
<strong>NF01</strong>