Firms back Portishead pool makeover
Local businesses have been giving their support to the makeover of Portishead's run down open air pool.
Firms from across the region offered their services to help the project after reading about the exciting refurbishment plan in the Post.
American TV star Ty Pennington and his team arrived at the pool on Thursday to start work on the ambitious makeover, being filmed for the programme, Ty's Great British Adventure.
The makeover project, worth tens of thousands of pounds, is being filmed by London-based production company, TwoFour Broadcast and will be shown on UKTV Style later this year.
They are being helped by teams of builders, carpenters, electricians and painters and decorators as well as scores of volunteers to ensure the pool is ready when it opens to the general public for the summer season on Saturday (May 23).
Bristol-based plant and tool hire company, Alide Hire Services, stepped in to help after being contacted by TwoFour Broadcast and pool volunteers.
Sales director Carolyn Howell said: "We were contacted by the production company with regard to supplying a mini-digger and after discussions with the series producers they soon realised that we could help in other ways.
"A meeting was held on site and I was soon aware of the scale of the project and how they were up against it. We quickly sorted out a variety of construction tools, mini excavator and scaffold towers for them for the very next day.
"With our strong relationships with our own suppliers, I was also able to get SGB Ltd in Bristol to help supply fencing and Greenham trading to supply hard hats, gloves and fluorescent jackets.
"It was all a bit of a rush, but we managed to include the requirements in our already busy schedule.
"We also received an urgent request for tools and were able to respond quickly to their needs.
"We think this project is making a great contribution to the community and we are glad that as a local company we have been able to help make this happen.
"It is very positive to see how hard al the volunteers are working to ensure this project is completed."
Steve Chapman set up his business, Bristol and Clifton Property Services, 18 months ago and when he read about the pool, decided he wanted to do his bit to help.
Steve, 43, set up his business after working for 26 years in the chemical industry at Avonmouth.
He now lives at Portishead marina with his wife and three children.
Steve said: "I cleared my diary when I saw the plan for the pool makeover. I used to come to the pool as a child and have lots of happy memories, including sitting on the terraces in the sunshine, and I didn't want to see it left to rot.
"I've put some time aside to help and have been doing a range of jobs from fixing leaks to electrical work and digging holes.
"I'm a man of many trades and I have a lot of skills that I can bring to this project."
Quicksons Building and Maintenance, which is based in Hallen, Bristol, has supplied the project with a team of staff for the makeover project.
Carpenter Steve Frazer, 42, contracts manager Mike Wiltshire, 55, director Mark Quick, 49 and office juniors Christian and Honey Wiltshire will be on site all week.
Mr Quick also has happy memories of spending his summers at the pool as a child and stepped in to help after reading about the project in the Post.
Mr Quick said: "We are going to be helping out for the next week doing a variety of tasks such as painting and decorating and carpentry work.
"I used to come here as a child and I wanted to give something back as the pool is such a wonderful place, especially for children."
Supermarket Waitrose, which has a branch in Portishead, has also stepped in to provide refreshments for the hungry and thirsty volunteers.
And the Co-op store in Portishead has also set up a collection for people wanting to donate items for the pool.
Trolleys are being left in the store with shoppers being asked to donate items from cleaning materials, tea bags, mops, air fresheners, bottled drinks and even biscuits for the hungry volunteers.
Scores of volunteers have been on site since for the past 10 days and work on the makeover, expected to take six days, started in earnest on Thursday.
Other businesses to step in and help are Portishead-based Richwood Construction, who have given two men for the week and DPC Construction, also based in the town, which has supplied four of their workers to help with the project.
Frazer's of Bristol has supplied building materials and Dulux is supplying the paint for the pool and Garran Lockers has donated new lockers for the changing room.
The Portishead branch of Travis Perkins has also stepped in and offered a huge discount on building materials for the project.
Pool trustee Roger Whitfield said: "The support for this makeover from the business community has been fantastic.
"I want to thank every business and individual that has made a donation to the pool, however big or small, for their efforts.
"Their generosity in both manpower and materials has helped the project no end and we are excited about giving Portishead a pool it can be proud of."
15 Comments
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by :), Portishead
Wednesday, May 20 2009, 12:38PM
“I do agree we need a skate park, but why just have ONE thing for younger people?? Just because you are a certain age does't mean you have to like one thing does it??!!
We do need a skate park but we also need some of the original parts of Portishead left before its completely taken over by developers.
I swear, if they have their way we will not see a tree or field in sight before long, let alone any of the old features of Portishead. Getting the town up to date is one thing, but taking away everything that every made up Portishead is another!”
by anon, Bristol
Tuesday, May 19 2009, 10:41AM
“So are all you keen pool supporters the same ones who have spent the past twenty years ignoring the condition of the place, turning a blind eye to the council's obvious plan to run it into the ground and will once more be campaigning next year for more handouts to try to save it?
If it's money to be spent on youngsters, where is the skatepark they have been asking for for the past few years because skateboarding and BMX riding are just as popular as swimming, both are healthy pastimes and BMX is even an Olympic sport now but locally they are being ignored because of a sentimental mission to save a few peoples childhood memories.”
by :), Portishead
Tuesday, May 19 2009, 10:24AM
“The pool is an old part of Portishead and everything should be done to save it.
When I was younger, I was one to jump over the wall at night for a late night swim (most people have!), and go in the day....IN ALL WEATHER! Swimming in the rain is great fun, that is if you want to have some fun in life!
What could the money be better spent on? More 'art' work around Portishead!!! Lets be fair, now THAT is the biggest waste of money I've ever seen!
'Anon'.....go on, give us one reason its a waste of money? Maybe if everyone pulls together we can save the pool....or are you one of these money grabbing councillors looking to make a fast buck on the land?
Then again, why would we want to keep something in Portishead for th younger generation? QUICK more granny flats and bowling greens....before its too late!”
by Posset Ed, Portishead
Tuesday, May 19 2009, 8:28AM
“Bristol: 'watching some american bloke, who is rarely on site, take all the credit for whats been done'
At last daylight, that is the bottom line reality of the project, promoting a TV star's career.
Sarah: It's a pity you don't realise how cheap and tacky society has become, and yet I have just noticed you have left a comment on another thread criticising someone else for daring to display humour, humour that may be a good example of society but still on a par with promoting TV shows as if TV was some kind of religious icon.
I'm sure this Mr Pennington is a nice bloke but at the end of the day he is just acting out a role for TV whilst volunteers actually do the work and the council sit back laughing their socks off because they have once more got local people doing the job whilst they shirk off their responsibilities.”
by Bristol, Bristol
Tuesday, May 19 2009, 12:11AM
“Why do we bother?
I and quite a few like minded people have spent the last five days working unpaid, in wet, muddy and quite stressfull conditions, watching some american bloke, who is rarely on site, take all the credit for whats been done, but thinking all the time its worth it for the local community.
But after reading some of the comments on all the stories related to this, its clear that we are wasting our time. The local people are say that what we are doing is cheap, tacky and a waste of time as its going to close down anyway.
I would rather stay home in the dry than not be appreciated.
I shall not be offering my services any longer.”
by Sarah, Portishead
Monday, May 18 2009, 11:25PM
“Funny isn't it all the men 'never heard of him...who is he....' yet every woman and girl knows all about him....how odd is that? Ed can I suggest you take a brisk walk down and tell him yourself we have heard it all before and still believe its worth the struggle and the courage .... thanks kiss kiss x x x”
by Posset Ed, Portishead
Monday, May 18 2009, 10:51PM
“... and then reality will kick in and the money will dry up and the council will close it. There really is more to lfe than cheap photo oppotunities with an american tv personality who most people had never heard of until this came up and when he's made his few bucks and moved onto his next cheap makeover who's going to pick up the running costs?”
by Neil Barlow, Pill
Monday, May 18 2009, 9:58PM
“Fantastic - great to see so many people making it look great. To those who criticise - they should get down there and help out, and make it how they want. I think its great - and something all can be proud of.”
by Dave, Lake grounds
Monday, May 18 2009, 8:40PM
“I think it looks GREAT it can be seen from space...well coming down West Hill . As has been said better than unaffordable homes!! Can't wait for me first swim.”
by david, bristol
Monday, May 18 2009, 8:32PM
“ORANGE WHY THE HELL THAT COLOUR”