What does PBC stand for?

ROCK & POP The Manfreds: The Jam House, St Paul's Square, Birmingham 0121 200 3030; Polar Bear Club / Ruiner / Defeater: 7pm, O2 Academy 2, Dale End, Birmingham 0844 477 2000; John Head: O2 Academy 3, Dale End, Birmingham 0844 477 2000; Sonic Boom Six: The Asylum, Hampton St, Hockley; Band Showcase Night: The Roadhouse, Lifford Lane, Stirchley 0121 459 5660; Jibbering Sessions: 8pm, 23 St Mary's Row, Moseley; The Circus: Taylor John's House, Coal Vaults, Canal Basin, Coventry 024 7655 9958; Pink Flamingo: 8pm, Sound Bar, 213-215 Corporation St, Birmingham 0121 236 2220; The Midnight Club / Maycomb / Reluctant Heroes / China Red: 7.

Those pools in the frigidarium of Roman baths have more in common with the exterior ideals associated with members of the Polar Bear Clubs, those thoroughly insane individuals who would rather dive nearly naked into the frigid waters outdoors during the coldest days of winter rather than recognize that modern plumbing has eliminated the necessity for such an activity.

Hardy — some say crazy — groups have been doing it for years, especially polar bear clubs in northern Europe.

Some even go for a dip in the ocean to earn membership in the Polar Bear Club.

The nursery costs [pounds sterling]165 per child for six days; the Polar Bear Club, [pounds sterling]100.

The newly initiated members were awarded official Polar Bear Club sweatshirts, hot coffee and hot cocoa.

Little more than a year ago, another polar bear club in Germany — Knut — was hand-raised by his keepers and became a celebrity after being rescued when his mother rejected him.

On Coney Island, the Polar Bear Club cancelled its Atlantic dip because the water was not cold enough.