REFRESH, REPAIR, RENEW

The energetic group of volunteers who run Helmsley outdoor pool successfully secured grant funding to renovate the pool tank and do a few other vital jobs to secure the future of this absolutely charming lido on the fringes of their very picturesque town. The tank and pipework are the focus of attention, and stopping leaks will not only save them money but will also be better for the environment. Although Helmsley already have a pretty good track record where the environment is concerned, being the only publicly accessible pool in the UK currently using an air-source heat exchanger to help heat the pool.  Please put Helmsley on your lido hit-list for the 2019 season; for those of you who aren't lucky enough to live locally you'll find it well worth the journey.
Picture Credit : Helmsley Outdoor Pool

 Travelling south we come to Topsham, Devon. This small, historic, riverside town barely registers on the radar of those journeying south for holidays but it is well worth a stop off - not least because the fabulous, heated outdoor pool built, in the 1970s, thanks to public fundraising by the community. This winter Topsham has been renovating the changing rooms, you can check out the progress on their website and there are some pictures on their facebook page showing the areas before work started. We just hope they put their bunting back up - I think it's the best bunting I've seen and the urge to pinch it has been difficult to resist!

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​Heckington pool, in Lincolnshire, is also investing in their pool tank. As I type the old liner has been stripped out, the tank re-skimmed and a new liner will be installed.This is a small pool, in a small village, and is a key amenity - particularly for young people. Seeing investment being made in its future is, therefore, very encouraging. These are just some of the works underway over winter 2018/2019, and they show that the custodians of these community pools have a keen eye on repair and renewal to take them forward, gleaming, into the future.
Picture Credit : Jacki Wright - Heckington Community Pool