Our latest journey down Helensburgh's Memory Lane takes us back 10 years to our coverage of the annual New Year Swim at Rhu Marina.

While the 2019 event raised a record sum for the RNLI, back in 2009 there was another record set as 205 people – more than ever before, and only 14 short of this year's total – braved the cold temperatures to take part.

Here's how we reported on the event in the Advertiser's edition of January 8, 2009...

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MANY were cauld but few were frozen!

The words on the annual New Year swim certificate could not have been more apt this year as a record number of brave souls from all over the world took a festive dip in the chilly Gareloch on January 1 and raised £974 for the RNLI.

In bright sunshine but freezing conditions, 205 madcap revellers of all ages, and some in fancy dress, took to the water to welcome the New Year in style - watched by hundreds of the less valiant from the shore at Rhu Marina.

The swimmers were organised to take to the water in batches and the first to reach the shore from the jump off pontoon was Paul Green from Gateshead who was taking part for the third time.

“It was really cold,” he said, “but I do it for the fun of it and it helps to clear the hangover!”

Another swim veteran was Arnold Bretman of Rhu who was completing his eighth new year swim.

“It was lovely,” he said with a slight hint of sarcasm, “but it helps with the hangover.”

Martin Heath of Shandon was taking part to raise funds for the Dogs Trust and he said: “It was very cold, extremely cold.”

Liz MacGillivray of Helensburgh was doing the swim for St Margaret’s Hospice in Clydebank and will have raised around £200 from her efforts.

She said: “It was fine, good. It was the first time I’ve done it but I will be doing it again!”