BOVEY POOL - WORKING HARD FOR THE FUTURE

2 weeks ago we reported on Bovey Tracey Swimming Pool and their concerns over the rise in energy prices that we are all facing. To keep an outdoor swimming pool heated requires a lot of energy and therefore high cost. As everyone will have seen in many press releases and on television there is a tremendous amount of concern, not just locally, but also nationally with all pools and the possibility that there will be more pools that may have to close on top of the ones that have already closed.  We reported on what the Bovey Pool volunteers, are doing regarding their ambitions to reduce rising energy costs and to reduce the carbon footprint on our world. Both go hand in hand. 

Following the previous article, we are so please to report on the great start, not just fund raising but also offers of expertise to help the Energy Group in their deliberations on how best to keep the pool a running for years to come. Through 2 grants and many amazing donations we are pleased to say we have so far raised over £5500 and donations continue to come in each day. We are so grateful to everyone who has donated so far. This is a start. We still need more – PLEASE!  

Over the next few weeks, before we close for the winter on the 11^th September, we have some fundraising events taking place. 

Starting on the 1^st September, all the lifeguards will be swimming individually for an hour at a time, for 24 hours to endeavour to cover a total of 50,000m. This is a sponsored swim and if you wish to sponsor the lifeguards then please visit our website [details below] to support. 

There is a Yoga session [on the land] followed by a gentle swim planned for the 23^rd August starting at 6pm. This is being run voluntarily by Yoga instructor, David Steer. Again, please visit our website for details.  

A children’s colouring competition, with prizes, based on the “Duck Theme’ that has been running over the year.

Local Brownie, Grace Stoneman, is running a Charity Bingo in aid of the Pool on Monday 29th August at The Dolphin Hotel, eyes down at 7pm. Grace is working towards her Brownie fundraising badge.

There are a few more fund-raising events being planned so please keep an eye open for details. 

The passion being shown by so many people is outstanding. A huge thank you to everyone that is putting something on, all to raise funds to keep our amazing pool open for years to come. 

In 2021, we had 11,821 paying customers of the pool. Up to the end of July we had had 9503 paying customers. That is well ahead of numbers from last year. The weather for the past few weeks has been amazing. This has drawn Hundreds of users from all over the county as well as so many that are on holiday in the area to use the pool every day.  The pool continued to be hired by our 5 local primary schools as well as by organisations for water polo, lifesaving, as well as running swimming lessons primarily for our children and conditioning swimming for adults. Bovey Tracey Swimming Pool is an essential facility for our town and surrounding towns. The pool is a tremendous asset to our great little town and surrounding area.  

The Energy group is now reaching some conclusions from all the information and advice gathered to date. Over the next couple of weeks some decisions will be made and applications to potential funding sources will be submitted. 

Thank you again for taking time to read my words and a huge thank you in anticipation of your continued support to help keep our great facility thriving for many tears to come. 

Look around our website for more information regarding our energy issues and fundraising. Please consider visiting our Donate page to help with our rising energy costs.

Ian Hutchings [Chair of Bovey Tracey Swimming Pool Energy Working Group]