In praise of Portishead open-air pool

By jbennett

EVERYONE involved in the transformation of Portishead open-air pool should give themselves a huge pat on the back.

This ambitious project has impressed everyone who has followed its progress.

The future of the run-down 1960s lido was in serious doubt until American TV star Ty Pennington decided to transform it into a gleaming Mediterranean oasis as part of a TV programme.

Ty and his team, aided by hundreds of local volunteers and businesses, set to work, labouring around the clock.

What was originally considered to be a three- to six-month building programme was, despite some awful weather, completed in just a week

Saturday's opening day was a triumph, with some 400 people showing their support.

But yesterday's attendance was remarkable, with the pool recording more than 1,000 visitors – as many as the pool's busiest day last summer.

It just shows what a lot of hard work, a lot of goodwill and (let's not forget) a bit of sunshine can do.