OSBrecks

Bathing in the Brecks: Outdoor Swimming past, present & future

River swim and history events August 2025

Starting the month with a day of swim intro sessions on 3 August, @OSBrecks then ran a swim walk, a swim cycle, and three guided walks celebrating the rivers and their history, as part of the BFER Brecks Outdoor Festival 9-24 August 2025.

Introduction to outdoor swimming Sunday 3 August 2025

An enjoyable day of swim intros with sessions for adults and young people, families and anyone with additional needs at Brandon Staunch.

swimmers standing for briefing at rivers edge
swimmers and volunteers in river with lifeguard on jetty and distant view of staunch

Altogether 55 people (17 of them children) came to have a go at outdoor swimming and pick up safety tips in a free, fun, safe and friendly session. See more photos on Flickr: best 12 and in more albums.

Lifeguards provided by David Ebbs and volunteers from @OSBrecks volunteers made it a great success. Supported by @TheBrecksLP, @HeritageFundUK, Environment Agency, Brandon Remembrance Playing Fields and Brandon Town Council.

families and volunteers in river with lifeguards and volunteers, view of jetty
families and children playing in river at shallow edge with volunteers

This was the twelfth of these events we have run in the Brecks; we have now introduced outdoor swimming to 758 individuals from the area and beyond. Many who started with us are still swimming, volunteering, sharing info and encouraging others, and gaining much enjoyment from this wonderful activity.

Guided river history walks, swim walks and swim cycle

Honington & Sapiston river history walk 100825

On a hot day 11 people joined a walk around the two villages, taking in the two churches, the river Blackbourn that runs between them and the bridges that cross it, shared memories from people who swam and boated and fished the river, and talked about and heard poetry from Robert Bloomfield who grew up in the village. Some of the walkers were locals that told stories from their own memories, others were visitors who loved the peacefulness and beauty of the area. Afterwards we had tea and biscuits and time to rest and chat in the wonderful village hall. Thanks to the Parish Council and Village Hall for the welcome. See photos on Flickr.

walkers listening to volunteer speaker under ash tree with riverside willows
walkers, one on rickshaw, listening to speaker by river under lime trees

Honington & Sapiston; Thetford with rickshaws

Thetford accessible guided river history walk with rickshaws 210825

A small group enjoyed the walk (four)/rickshaw ride (two), with stories and discussion from everyone who took part to supplement the river history of work and play that we shared with them, including the old river swimming baths, the pulp works, the mills and more. See photos on Flickr, and a video of the rickshaw.

Thetford swim and river history walk 130825

Another hot day, ideal for having a couple of swims in the river Thet and strolling along in the shade beside the rivers of Thetford, along Spring Walk. We popped into the BTO HQ and admired its gardens, and heard a bit about the history of recreation and trade on the rivers. 10 attended, nine enjoyed their swims, including a rope swing jump tutored by a couple of lovely local young lads! Thanks to Thetford Town Council and BTO for permission and welcome. See photos on Flickr, and video of rope swing jump on YouTube.

swimmers in river under shady trees with Ford Place behind
walkers chatting at old river swimming baths with display panel

Thetford swim and river history walk

Brandon cycle with swims and river history 190825

On this 11 mile cycle ride we had nine participants and five volunteers, and all enjoyed the day. Half of the route was off-road including along the peaceful Hereward Way, and half on road, and we had delightful swims in the Little Ouse at Hockwold – where some saw an otter swim across – and at Brandon Staunch. Thanks to the Friends of The Lode, Environment Agency, Brandon Remembrance Playing Fields and Brandon Town Council for permission/welcome. See photos on Flickr and on Google Photos.

cyclists on a bridge over the Cut Off Channel
swimmers in the river Little Ouse with picnickers in the background

Brandon cycle with swims and river history

Mildenhall and Barton Mills guided river history walk 240825

This walk was just over 3 miles, with 11 taking part. Following the river Lark we had a look at Turf Lock and the cricket club, shared history of river recreation and trade, walked through Barton Mills and after a brief stop at The Bull followed the river back to Mildenhall. The village is full of history but we just told the story of Sir Alexander Fleming who had a holiday house here, and sent photos of the information signs afterwards. Along with kingfisher and heron, we were treated to a wonderful viewing of an otter that followed us almost all the way along the river back to Jubilee Fields! See photos on Flickr, and a video of the otter on YouTube. Thanks to Mildenhall High Town Council and Barton Mills Parish Council.

line of walkers by river with swans, from bridge
walkers listening to speaker by nature reserve panel, river and trees behind

Mildenhall and Barton Mills guided river history walk

Read a brief report on some river activities in the festival on the BFER website.

See report of guided river history walks in 2023-24, some covering the same routes, with links to maps with additional info, and handouts to download. To be added soon: details of the 2025 walks and cycles.

List of the @OSBrecks events

  • Introduction to outdoor swimming 3 Aug 2025
  • Sunday 10 August Walk Honington/Sapiston
  • Wednesday 13 August Swim walk Thetford swim walk
  • Tuesday 19 August Swim cycle Brandon and around
  • Thursday 21 August Walk Thetford with rickshaw/s
  • Sunday 24 August Walk Mildenhall & Barton Mills

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