SOLD DOWN THE RIVER
Loony Dook founders blast event sell-off Charge to enter Forth branded a ‘damned disgrace’
Founders of the New Year Loony Dook have hit out at the event being sold off to a private firm.
The men who invented the River Forth plunge spoke out after contractors Underbelly charged participants £12.
Pete Jackson, 71, said: “No one can charge me to go into that water.” Pal David Garthley added: “It’s a damned disgrace.”
Founders of the New Year Loony Dook have furiously condemned the commercialisation of the event after a company charged people £12 a head to jump into the Forth.
Pete Jackson and David Garthley were among 12 people who took part in the original event in South Queensferry, near Edinburgh, which came about following a chat in the pub.
They described the privatisation of the worldfamous New Year’s Day tradition as a “damned disgrace”.
London-based firm Underbelly were handed control of the event by Edinburgh City Council and participants were shocked at this year’s entry fee.
Under belly was already facing heavy criticism over their role in Edinburgh’s Hogmanay when it emerged they had asked city cent re residents to apply for access to their own homes.
Pete and David were among the revellers to attend the inaugural dive into the Firth of Forth on January 1, 1987.
Pete, 71, said: “No one can charge me to go into that water.
“I know there’s costs involved but it’s still wrong. There were five of us the first year, nine of us the second year and it built up after that.
“That’s what we did. It was a simple thing, just five idiots, but it’s all changed now.
“It wasn’t the same spirit – they started charging and doing this and that and I said, ‘No more’.”
The Loony Dook was started when pals Jim Kilcullen and Andy Kerr – who have both since passed away – were discussing how to celebrate the New Year.
Jim suggested they “jump in the Forth” as a hangover cure.
Andy took up the challenge and coined the term “Loony Dook”.
Pete added: “Jim Kilcullen stopped a double decker bus the first time and we went on board with buckets and gave the money to local charities. It’s not a local event at all any more.”
Jeweller David recalled being among the group in their local when the original challenge was laid down.
The 75-year- old, who opted to cheer his buddies from dry land rather than get wet and cold, said: “The whole situation then was entirely different to what it is now.” He said that for many locals the Loony Dook started to lose its shine when the council began advertising it as part of their New Year celebrations and a fee was introduced by organisers.
David added: “It started off as a joke between a bunch of 40 to 50- year- olds carrying on like wee boys but it grew and eventually the council said, ‘ We want a bit of this’.
“As it grew, some of the original guys said, ‘Stuff this’. At one time there was no charge but by the time it got to 30-odd people the police and the press were there, and along came the spectators.
“The counci l advertised Loony Dook as part of the Chr istmas and New Year celebrations, and then they started charging to enter.
“I think it ’ s a damned disgrace. It started off as a giggle, and now it’s being used as a commercial enterprise.