Westbury Swimming Pool - White Horse News

[hermes2007]

http://www.whitehorsenews.co.uk/blog/?p=473

[Ettie]

Quite surprised about this, as they have spent money making on improvements.

Is it not a listed building ? If not then perhaps it should be.

There is not a lot in Westbury in a central location that residents can walk to, and it seems a shame to lose this.
Older children have the freedom to walk to the pool, use their cards and swim when they want to. 
This won't happen if everytime they want to swim they need the taxi of Mum and Dad.
My daughter attends the swimming club, it will be a complete pain the rear to have to rush dinner and battle through traffic to get to Trowbridge.

What is planned to replace it ?  More bl**dy flats full of people who have to drive up Wellhead or Trowbridge to do anything healthy. 
Plenty of pub provision within staggering distance for unhealthy activities, but the Govt doesn't seem to support local healthy options, just loads of talk, and everyone get a car if you want to be active. Stupid !

[charlie finbow]

Sadly the pool is not a listed building but I for one will fight tooth and nail to save it.   The historical value is important but the facility is priceless.   What worries me is that our Unitary Council is budget capped by the government but Town Councils are not so how many services are going to be passed onto towns to keep the Unitary Council Precept within Gov Cap using the excuse well if you want it then take it over and fund it thus pushing up our Precept.  Call me cynical if you like but I wouldnt trust any of them.

[Yokel1]

Lets face it, renovations to the fabric of the building only add to the resale value.  I’m not going to panic (yet) but is there anything we can do to get it made into a listed building?   I find it vaguely confusing to see that we have an “Overprovision of swimming pool services” in the area yet, a few weeks back, after driving all the way over to trowbridge pool (westbury pool had vomit in it!) one Sunday, and getting there early, to find the pool was full and we had to take a very sad little girl back home.
I also wouldn’t favour any provision of newer facilities – not only will there be a gap between the pool being sold off and new facilities appearing (forgive my cynicism, but which ultimately may not…..), it’s an historic pool and it would be such a shame to see something with so much class be dismissed as archaic and useless.   I mean, lets be honest, it’s a swimming pool, a big hole in the ground full of water, with some changing rooms, loos, and some heating/sterilising kit.  Just keep the building nice and it’ll be fine.
“”Cllr Russell Hawker said, “The Leisure and Recreation Plan adopted by West Wiltshire District Council in early 2009, after a long review process, regarded Westbury Pool as ‘an older building which may not remain suitable in the long term for this recreational use’.”””    Ok, well just do it up then!!  I know I aint an engineer but how complicated could it be?!
I’d support modernising the kit, but keep the framework as it is.   
This is a little teaser of a news article that may come to nothing but it’s enough to make me worry – and there has to be enough people using the pool in Westbury to get a good support group going.

[Lyn]

I wholeheartedly agree! Westbury pool is used by many and even people from Warminster and Bradford-on Avon that have their own pools due to it being a warm and friendly pool where people of all ages and disabilities meet. It provides a social meeting place where people can improve their quality of life in so many ways. To lose 'OUR POOL' would be devastating for so many including me as i swim 4-5 times a week and I can honestly say that without it I would not have coped with my cancer as well as I have done. Being a small friendly pool I even felt ok to swim bald! This I certainly would not have done at any other pool. I could go on with numerous reasons just why this unique pool must continue to be......

[charlie finbow]

My dear Lyn.  Sorry to hear of your illnesss but it does to reinforce my argument and commitment to keep our pool open. Kind reards  Charlie

[Lyn]

Thanks for your reply. Hope that all of us commited to keeping our pool open will win at the end of the day!!! Kind regards Lyn

[charlie finbow]

I understand Mike CM our ward Unitary Councillor is going to get the pool listed.   Good luck Mike I for one will support you.

[charlie finbow]

Sorry a it of an afterthought.  Mike, as Ward Unitary Councillor I think you should lead the campaign and not let anyone else claim credit. 

[Mike Hawkins]

I understand Mike CM our ward Unitary Councillor is going to get the pool listed.   Good luck Mike I for one will support you.

I fully support any attempt to get the Swimming Pool designated as a Grade 1 Listed Building. However, being a cynic, I do wonder whether Mike C-M or anybody else, will get support from Wiltshire Council (the new owners) as this will curtail their freedom to dispose of it should they wish to do so. However, the final decision will not be made by them (to the best of my understanding) and therefore the attempt must be made to protect this facility for the town.

However, the best support the people of Westbury can give the Pool is to USE IT!

[cuthbert-murray]

I have indeed filed an application through English Heritage for the full listing of this building, this will be submitted later this week after all information concerning our pool is complete.
we today face a very serious threat to our great pool I will say to those peole westbury has lost far to much all ready, we have taken loss after loss in our stride , We will face this new threat to our pool and I will fight this with everything I have got.
I am confident after the motion I layed through westbury area board which was 100% support that we will maintain our pool here in westbury, we can all face thi threat down.
we have the oldest working pool in westbury which is a valuable asset and all of ENGLAND!
I wholeheartdly promise Westbury that I shall use every measure avaliable to eliminate this threat .

[cuthbert-murray]

Facebook site      Save westbury's pool

[hermes2007]

I only popped into the Heritage Centre this morning as I am still getting fit.
Bob Lee came in to collect the signarures so far on the 'Save our Pool' petition. Looked like about 200, so far.
He mentioned that he had been in touch with the Victorian Society who were going to give the campaign publicity, and I'm sure someone mentioned the BBC as well.
Bob also mentioned that Melksham are doing something similar to try and save their pool (see one of my previous posts) - a good idea I think as we would be better all working together as towns rather than be divided and conquered so to speak.
Anyway well done to Bob, Mike C-M and all those doing a great job in trying to save Westbury's important assets.

[Clevercat]

http://www.wiltshiretimes.co.uk/news/inyourtown/westburynews/5735058.Westbury_residents_to_quiz_councillor_on_future_of_historic_pool/

[cuthbert-murray]

This morning I recieved  notification from English Heritage that they are fast tracking the application of the pool and it is now with the secretary of state , for their decision good news so far