Charity backs bid to open Holywell Mead pool in High Wycombe (From Bucks Free Press)
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Charity backs bid to open Holywell Mead pool in High Wycombe
8:30am Tuesday 5th May 2009 in
A CHARITY boss who runs an London outdoor swimming pool axed by council chiefs in 1981 says Holywell Mead pool can be saved.
Graham Hadden, chairman of the Hampton Pool Trust, backed a resident-led campaign to keep open the High Wycombe pool, stripped of council cash in February.
He said: “With enthusiasm and passion, plus some investment and smart management, open air pools do have a future.”
The pool, in Middlesex, was re-opened in 1985 by a not for profit charity set up by residents, which operates to this day.
It is now open 365 days a year and attracts more than 130,000 visitors, a statement from Holywell Mead Pool Trust Steering Group said.
Mr Hadden said: “It is distressing to see another open air pool is closing while Hampton Open Air Pool is actually increasing its attendance each year.
“Hampton Pool is a clear example of how open air pools can work as a successful business.“ He said “passion” had kept the pool going and it had thrived after being opened all year, instead of just the summer.
Holywell Mead campaigners have said this must happen at the Wycombe facility, by The Rye, for it to survive.
Mr Hadden said: “The pool is no longer a summer season, cold water, open air pool, but a 365 day per year operation with heated water, a gym, a fitness centre for pilates, yoga and spinning, a pool shop and successful café.”
Wycombe District Council said the pool was not used enough and axed it to save £66,000 a year to help close a £1.68m funding gap.
The statement said campaigners want the council to re-open the pool and will present it with a business plan.
Neil Bailey, spokesman for the Holywell Mead Pool Trust Steering Group, said: “The success of Hampton Pool demonstrates what can be done when a carefully prepared business plan is put together.
“Hampton Pool has gone from being closed during the recession in the 1980s to a thriving success which remains popular even during the current tough economic climate.”
“We want Wycombe District Council and the residents of the area to give us and Holywell Mead Pool a chance at a future in the 21st century.”
The group wants residents to show their support for their campaign by signing a register on its website (see link, below).
Comments(13)
towncryer
says...
8:51am Tue 5 May 09
Shame its left to local people to do the job that the council/s should be doing
Its time that the Torys realised that cuts cuts and more cuts is not what residents of High Wycombe want -- Its groups like the Lib Dems , charity groups and Local residents that are leading the way in High Wycombe.
Seems the Tory controlled council/s are out of touch with what we want for our town.
Bring on the June elections im voting for the Lib Dems its time for a change
Plus ça change...
says...
10:21am Tue 5 May 09
We should make a feature of the presence of and ruins of the Roman villa whatever.
Security-word:
deep-ends (doesn't it always!)
irish john
says...
11:13am Tue 5 May 09
wycombenewbie
says...
4:17pm Tue 5 May 09
More community volunteering, more charity work, less state provision and less tax please!
The Judge
says...
4:28pm Tue 5 May 09
BUT WHAT MR HADDEN FAILS TO HIGHLIGHT IS THE COST......PERTAINING TO MIDDLESEX POOL:
THE JUDGE CAN DISCLOSE THE PRICES.
DO YOU THING WYCOMBE WILL PAY THESE PRICES?
THESE PRICES ARE ON AVERAGE 50% HIGHER THAN OTHER VENUES.
GOOD TRY THOUGH - ENJOY:
Adult swim £5.50
off-peak* (see below) £4.50
£40.50
£76.50
£250.00
Adult holiday** swim £6.50
Concessions £3.30
£29.70 £56.10 £15
5.00
Junior (4 to 15 years) £2.75 £24.7
5 £46.75 £125.00
Family ticket
(max 2 adults & 3 children) £15.00
Parent & toddler £4.50
Sauna (over 16s only) £5.00
Sauna (concession) £3.00
Supplementary Sauna £2.00
JUDGE - A NAME YOU CAN TRUST
The Judge
says...
4:31pm Tue 5 May 09
WHERE IS OUR ICEBANK MONEY?
5 MILLION AND LOSS OF INTEREST.........
SCANDAL - THE JUDGE CALLS FOR A PUBLIC INQUIRY URGENTLY TO INVESTIGATE AND START THE SACKINGS...
sammy annie
says...
4:42pm Tue 5 May 09
The Judge wrote:Seems reasonable to me. In any case I am sure that Holywell prices can be adjusted to suit the catchment area.
ALL SOUNDS VERY DANDY.
BUT WHAT MR HADDEN FAILS TO HIGHLIGHT IS THE COST......PERTAINING TO MIDDLESEX POOL:
THE JUDGE CAN DISCLOSE THE PRICES.
DO YOU THING WYCOMBE WILL PAY THESE PRICES?
THESE PRICES ARE ON AVERAGE 50% HIGHER THAN OTHER VENUES.
GOOD TRY THOUGH - ENJOY:
Adult swim £5.50
off-peak* (see below) £4.50
£40.50
£76.50
£250.00
Adult holiday** swim £6.50
Concessions £3.30
£29.70 £56.10 £15
5.00
Junior (4 to 15 years) £2.75 £24.7
5 £46.75 £125.00
Family ticket
(max 2 adults & 3 children) £15.00
Parent & toddler £4.50
Sauna (over 16s only) £5.00
Sauna (concession) £3.00
Supplementary Sauna £2.00
JUDGE - A NAME YOU CAN TRUST
sammy annie
says...
4:55pm Tue 5 May 09
sammy annie wrote:An adult swim at Handy Cross is £5. I would pay another 50p to swim outdoors in the fresh air and walking to Holywell, which is centrally placed, will save my bus fare too!
The Judge wrote:Seems reasonable to me. In any case I am sure that Holywell prices can be adjusted to suit the catchment area.
ALL SOUNDS VERY DANDY.
BUT WHAT MR HADDEN FAILS TO HIGHLIGHT IS THE COST......PERTAINING TO MIDDLESEX POOL:
THE JUDGE CAN DISCLOSE THE PRICES.
DO YOU THING WYCOMBE WILL PAY THESE PRICES?
THESE PRICES ARE ON AVERAGE 50% HIGHER THAN OTHER VENUES.
GOOD TRY THOUGH - ENJOY:
Adult swim £5.50
off-peak* (see below) £4.50
£40.50
£76.50
£250.00
Adult holiday** swim £6.50
Concessions £3.30
£29.70 £56.10 £15
5.00
Junior (4 to 15 years) £2.75 £24.7
5 £46.75 £125.00
Family ticket
(max 2 adults & 3 children) £15.00
Parent & toddler £4.50
Sauna (over 16s only) £5.00
Sauna (concession) £3.00
Supplementary Sauna £2.00
JUDGE - A NAME YOU CAN TRUST
yog
says...
5:22pm Tue 5 May 09
Save the Pool.
sai-diva
says...
12:17pm Wed 6 May 09
This council doesn't ask what we want, it tells us what we can have.
I wish the pool group all the best.
Oh, and judge;
TURN YOUR CAPS LOCK OFF!!
It's considered rude to shout!!
£15 for a family ticket? Bargain!
Jonboy99
says...
1:30pm Wed 6 May 09
It could improve the health and lives of so many. 2012 is approaching and there will be even greater awareness of health benefits from exercise
Would be a tragedy if closed for a mere £66k per annum.
A not for profit management with vision must succeed.
Good Luck and I am volunteering my support.
tony_t
says...
11:58am Thu 7 May 09
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Pool charity tells Holywell Mead campaigners - you can do it
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time to go clarke says...
8:42am Tue 5 May 09
It a shame we have such a backward thinking council that they deemed to close it in first place.
All WDC and BCC tory run councils do is cut servises and grants whilst increasing council taxes
About time we voted out away Cllr Clarke ,Cllr Green ans Cllr Shkespeare and the tories who are mismanaging our towns resources
Bring on the June 4th elections !!