Rallying cry to save Portishead open-air pool
A rallying cry has been delivered to the people of Portishead to get behind a campaign to save their landmark open-air pool.
A public meeting is being held to drive forward plans to set up a management trust to take over the running of the attraction, following the launch of an Evening Post campaign to save it.
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Friends of the Portishead Lido were collecting names on a pertition to keep it open at Waitrose in Portishead
Members of the Save The Open-air Pool (STOP) group, backed by the Post, are holding the meeting near the end of October, to discuss plans to set up a trust and encourage public support.
The group hopes to persuade people to pledge their support to the campaign.
The aim is to pressure North Somerset Council to put the pool in the hands of a trust when it makes a decision on the future in six weeks.
STOP campaign leader Roger Whitfield said: "We want to prove to North Somerset Council that we are serious in our plans to set up a trust and take over the management of the pool.
"What we need is a mandate from the people of Portishead that they want to save the pool and we want to see everyone who supports our campaign at the meeting.
"We are hoping to see the hall packed to the rafters on the evening."
Mr Whitfield said he hoped to attract people from all walks of life to become trustees and work towards putting the pool on a firm footing for the future.
He said: "What we are looking for is for people who want to save the pool to pledge their time, support and skills.
"If we can get a group of people who have a lot of different skills, that would be excellent.
"We want to hear from everyone, young or old, who wants to help save this wonderful facility, from solicitors to architects to painters and decorators to people who are willing to go out and raise funds to help improve the pool.
"It has to be a community effort if our plans are going to work."
Mr Whitfield said if the trust takeover was agreed by the council, it would have to improve the pool.
He said: "There are lots of improvements a trust could look at doing including improving the heating system at the pool, perhaps by using solar energy.
"We could also look at improving the pool by introducing extra facilities such as a sauna or a gym.
"We would also want to re-open the children's pool which was decked over last year and revamp the café to offer a wider range of food."
Mr Whitfield said although the council claimed it was subsidising the pool by £130,000 each year, it could be run more cost effectively.
"I am sure the council pays bigger subsidies for some of its other leisure centres and services across the district," he added.
"I don't think the council should be able to immediately off-load the pool without a second thought.
"I would like it to support us in the formation of a trust and perhaps help us with a small subsidy in the initial years.
"Eventually it could be, when the pool is restored to its former glory, that it would require little or no subsidy from the council."
North Somerset Council is recommending the pool, which opened in 1962, close and the site be sold.
The Evening Post has joined with pool supporters to launch the STOP campaign to fight the closure.
The meeting takes place on October 27 at the Somerset Hall at 7pm. For information about the Portishead campaign and to find how to get involved, log on to www.thisisbristol.co.uk/pool. To contact Roger Whitfield, email pool@nortechcomputers.co.uk.
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by Robert, St. George, Bristol
Wednesday, October 22 2008, 7:00PM
“I read with interest the article regarding the pool in the evening post of 22ndoct.
I do hope that the campaign to save the pool is sucessful and wish all supporters the best with this.
I do have an alterior motive for contacting anyone who may have photos of the opening day.
I was a member of a group of four people invited to the opening of the pool (I am not sure if this was the actual official opening day ) to perform in a diving display.
I would be very grateful to know if anyone had any photos of this to show my grandchildren.
All the very best anyway.
Bob Staines”
by Roger Whitfield, Portishead
Monday, October 20 2008, 9:21AM
“Everybody who can should be at the public meeting this is your opportunity to give your opinion on this fantastic pool.
The STOP campaign are doing everything in their power to ensure that the pool remains open for future generations to enjoy, this involves the setting up of a charitable trust to run the pool if necessary, there are no games here or outside interests, the STOP campaign is being run by the people of Portishead, for the benefit of the People of Portishead and the Trust will have exactly the same objectives.
This pool belongs to the people of Portishead.”
by Robin, Pill
Monday, October 20 2008, 8:23AM
“This facility has been systematically run down in recent years. It has suffered from very poor management and a lack of investment. The council and their service company have restricted opening hours of the pool making it impossible for working people to use the facility. They then claim that it is under utilised.
The key to a healthy life is exercise, fresh air and a good social network. Restricting access to this facility and closing it does nothing to improve the lives of people living in Portishead and surrounding areas.
Two private leisure facility providers in Bristol consider their open air pools an asset essential to attracting new members. One charitable open air swimming provider in Bristol has a three year waiting list for new members. It is very strange that North Somerset Council does not consider its open air pool as an asset improving the image of Portishead.”
by dave, portishead
Sunday, October 19 2008, 10:26AM
“Oh dear I don't want to mend any bigots? Ex Cllr of Portishead you appear to be missing the point SERVICES are SERVICES not to be sold off to make PROFIT, this leads to poor service delivery at the expense of lining the pockets of business owners pockets. Like the flowers in the lake grounds to the day care centres in Weston or the family centre's all over North Somerset completing preventative work so children are not placed in Children's Homes or party to a child protection plan.
Like them our outdoor pool is a service owned by the people of North Somerset and should be ran well, like it was 20 years ago when friends of mine worked there. Yes Helen of Portishead we will also be supporting you with your campaign to keep our services running in a up and coming town. As we tried for the miners, steel workers, ship builders, teachers, nurses and the NHS in the Thatcher years. I just hope it will have some impact!”
by Helen, Portishead
Saturday, October 18 2008, 11:08PM
“I would just like to comment " Are the people of Portishead going to ralley round and give support to the primary school that has been earmarked for closure? Are we going to get the backing of local businesses and the papers to keep open the oldest remaining school in Portishead? Will we get people attending our public meeting to show support wether your children attend or not!!? Is an education establishment that moulds the next generation going to be able to say that it had the support of this great outspoken town !?I hope that the answers are Yes!! Portishead we need you more than ever to ralley together to help us save and give parents the oppertunity to choose a small local community school. Please look out for our leaflets and posters in the coming days and please turn up to the public meeting and show North Somerset Council that we do care.!!!”