Fern Britton hits out at Wycombe pool closure (From Bucks Free Press)
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Fern Britton hits out at Wycombe pool closure
1:35pm Thursday 24th September 2009 in
TELEVISION presenter Fern Britton has slammed “short-sighted” council chiefs for closing Holywell Mead outdoor swimming pool.
The Holmer Green resident has written a letter of support to campaigners trying to re-open the pool by donations and volunteers.
The pool did not re-open this summer after Wycombe District Council voted to close it to save cash, claiming it was under-used.
An extract from her letter released by campaigners states: “The young people of High Wycombe need as much healthy outdoor activity as possible.
“To close down such a unique pool would be very short-sighted of our generally good council.”
Neil Bailey, chairman of the Holywell Mead Pool Trust Steering Group, which is fighting to re-open the pool, welcomed the news.
He said: “It’s great to have such a high profile local personality offering words of support.
“The health of young people and having such facilities available is essential.
“Once they have gone they have disappeared forever and we must not let this happen.”
Miss Britton’s agent, John Rush, told the Bucks Free Press: “Fern has sent them a letter of support.”
The group gave the council a plan which proposed opening the pool all-year-round and fitting a telescopic roof. It would be run by a charity, not the council.
But WDC said health and safety requirements had not been met and the business model contained “fundamental flaws” (see link, bottom of story).
Comments(26)
miccles
says...
1:55pm Thu 24 Sep 09
time to go clarke wrote:here here
Fern Britton for Leader of WDC Time to go Clarke !!!
keep it up Fern, we're all behind you.
Go on Clarke do wycombe a big favour, get a one way ticket somewhere far away.
Anwar Mohammed Akhtar Ali
says...
2:06pm Thu 24 Sep 09
Perhaps we could give them all stomach staples instead?
Oh yeah and how often did Ms Britton use these facilities?
yog
says...
2:29pm Thu 24 Sep 09
time to go clarke wrote:Fern does seem to take an interest in local community matters so who knows!
Fern Britton for Leader of WDC Time to go Clarke !!!
She is absolutely right that we need to do everything possible to get our young people off their computers and into healthy exercise.
Come on WDC get the pool reopened.
miccles
says...
2:30pm Thu 24 Sep 09
Anwar Mohammed Akhtar Ali wrote:She might have used these facilities with her children, who knows, in any case at least she is trying to do something posotive, unlike council staff who only think of themselves and lining their pockets.
“The young people of High Wycombe need as much healthy outdoor activity as possible." Perhaps we could give them all stomach staples instead? Oh yeah and how often did Ms Britton use these facilities?
Anwar Mohammed Akhtar Ali
says...
2:36pm Thu 24 Sep 09
giant
says...
2:43pm Thu 24 Sep 09
Anwar Mohammed Akhtar Ali wrote:Yep Clarke will be out this time round!
I've worked in local government and I think you are perpetuating a common misconception that "council staff" have anything to do with it. You will find that it's the people WE VOTE IN that make the rubbish decisions.
As for this self confessed council employee he is talking rubbish.
Anwar Mohammed Akhtar Ali
says...
3:55pm Thu 24 Sep 09
Townman
says...
4:26pm Thu 24 Sep 09
If people want change don't vote Tory at the next Election. And all those who stay at home, then complain about WDC. It is down to you to vote.
yog
says...
4:28pm Thu 24 Sep 09
J B Blackett
says...
4:48pm Thu 24 Sep 09
yog wrote:Oh, you mean even less democracy and a more bureaucratic rule by civil servants. We've got that at national level with all the Lords, Ladies as ministers and all the other unelected quangos /committees etc. I don't want it at local level as well. No thank very much !
I agree with the fact that the elected cabinet councillors make the final decisions. However, it is often the case and especially so in Wycombe that a lot of these councillors are quite simply not up to the job. They get baffled and intimidated by the senior officers. In an ideal world we would have capable councillors leading WDC but when we do not then the officers should provide more support and guidance.
.
If the local politicians are useless or malicious or just uncaring (and they ARE) at least they can be got rid of eventually.
.
But not as frequently as I would like , I admit.
.
The council and civil servants are there to carry out the wishes of their masters - The Elected Representatives/Dele
gates (TERDs) - not our wishes I'm afraid.
.
It is The Elected Representatives (TERDs) ie MPs, councillors etc are supposed to be there to carry out OUR WISHES. Which they patent DO NOT at all levels. That's where the system has broken down - the current crop of politicians just ignore what the British people want and need. They are not to be trusted !
.
The above is only my humble opinion of course and I am just one of the ordinary folk like most of us.
.
Regards
peppermint creams
says...
5:20pm Thu 24 Sep 09
J B Blackett
says...
5:30pm Thu 24 Sep 09
.
She used to live in Gt Kingshill in recent years so may have easily taken the family to the Pool. And even now she only lives about 3km from it.
.
Thank you Fern and everybody else in defending one of Wycombe's cultural assets from the vultures / developers.
.
Regards
giant
says...
5:38pm Thu 24 Sep 09
Anwar Mohammed Akhtar Ali wrote:Anwar, Yog has explained the procedure.
Ok ginat, you seem like a reasonable open-minded person. How is what I've just said rubbish? All decisions are made by elected individuals, councillors, cabinets, panels whatever. Easy to slag off employees when you're not happy becuase at the end of the day we voted in the people that made those decisions. Do you knwo something I don't - I'd be pleased to hear it.
You should know most of the work is delegated, done by unelected bumptious council officers. Prime Minister (for Wycombe) Lesley Clarke makes the ultimate decision along with seven cabinet members, however the decision is only good as the information put before her, I would never trust a council officer with so much power, in many cases they serve their own interests. I can give you couple of examples but that would get me banned from this site. Let me give you few hints - kickbacks and nepotism rules the day.
WycombeSuxers
says...
5:56pm Thu 24 Sep 09
full-wife
Plus ça change...
says...
6:47pm Thu 24 Sep 09
What was good for the 1950s is not good for the 2010/20s...
I just don't understand with this mawkish hankering after something that was really not so 'hot' in the first place...
Plus ça change...
says...
6:49pm Thu 24 Sep 09
We really should be more demanding and have higher expectations than we do...
The Judge
says...
6:53pm Thu 24 Sep 09
THE POOL IS A MONEY PIT.
IF IT RE-OPENS IT WILL REQUIRE EXTENSIVE MODERNISATION AND THIS WILL RESULT IN AN INCREASE IN COUNCIL TAX. THE PROJECTED COSTS ARE HUGE AND WOULD RESULT IN THE CLOSURE OF OTHER AMENITIES.
THE JUDGE WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE POOL OPEN BUT WHO WILL PAY? WAKE UP AND SMELL THE COFFEE WHAT IS NEEDED IS PRIVATE FINANCING AND INVESTMENT. MANY FERN CAN COUGH UP THE DOSH?
JUDGE
yog
says...
7:44pm Thu 24 Sep 09
The pool group have identified a number of grants available and together with a fund raising plan would not result in Council Tax going up.
Hampton pool can do it so there is no reason why Wycombe cannot. It is only the lack of vision being shown by WDC that is holding everything back.
Slacker
says...
8:33pm Thu 24 Sep 09
giant wrote:Oh come on, do you really think normal council employees are there to make decisions? This is nothing to do with them, it is to do with the councillors making the decisions.
Anwar Mohammed Akhtar Ali wrote:Yep Clarke will be out this time round!
I've worked in local government and I think you are perpetuating a common misconception that "council staff" have anything to do with it. You will find that it's the people WE VOTE IN that make the rubbish decisions.
As for this self confessed council employee he is talking rubbish.
TheInsider
says...
10:21pm Thu 24 Sep 09
There are councils all over the UK closing down sports facilities and failing to invest in their upkeep as they are an easy budget cut to make. The situation will only get worse as councils tighten their belts to counter the recession and the only people able to access services will be those who have the money to use private sports and health clubs.
However, wherever we live in the UK, we must fight to keep facilities open because once they go, we will never get them back.
irish john
says...
11:08am Fri 25 Sep 09
Anwar Mohammed Akhtar Ali
says...
1:07pm Fri 25 Sep 09
You really are open minded - "bumptious council officers". On one hand people like you don't want council employees doing anything and in the same breath will complain that nothing is done. That was my experience that people will always moan whatever is done. How would shutting an open air pool be in any council employee's "own interest". You seem to be basing your arguments on non-fact although I am intrigued by these examples you speak of. How would they get you banned from the BFP site? It just seems like you've made this up. "Kickbacks"? how does that work? Nope I think you've just made it up to suit your argument.
davidjc
says...
8:08am Sat 26 Sep 09
y don't you stick to the article and make some sensible comments, either support it or don't. What is wrong with you people, is it any wonder nothing is improved when you can't enter into healthy debate all you end up doing is denegrating each other. Waste of time.
Plus ça change...
says...
11:04am Sat 26 Sep 09
Neil Bailey Save Holywell Mead Pool
says...
8:11am Mon 28 Sep 09
Thank you for your support - our community really needs as much help as it can get. We need to get the pool re-opened for all of our community's health and wel being. It was very rewarding to see our community actively debate and support the future of this much needed community resource. Our group will be inviting our community to meet us shortly - any help and ideas will be greatly received
Regards Neil Bailey
Chair
Holywell Mead Pool - Save Our Swim
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time to go clarke says...
1:40pm Thu 24 Sep 09
Time to go Clarke !!!