Droitwich Lido Saved

[Wildswimmer]

Hi All,

Good news - another valuable swimming facility saved.

There are only two inland natural brine pools in the country, Droitwich and Nantwich, and it's fantastic news that Droitwich Lido has been saved from being turned into yet another monstrous yuppy housing estate.

When the local authority attempted to destroy the facility, a massive local campaign was mounted to save it. Indeed the (Conservative) councillors who supported the closure lost their seats - poetic justice indeed. Goes to show how people power can still take on the suits - and win!

For more details look here:

http://www.droitwichsaltlido.info/

The Nantwich brine lido is fantastic (it's about 20 miles from where I live): well worth a visit if you can make it. At present it's only open during the spring/summer months, but Crewe-Nantwich Council have secured funding for a retractable roof, which will allow all year round use.

Website here:

http://www.crewe-nantwich.gov.uk/main.asp?page=2193

Wildswimmer Pete

[Chris]

I think Kaci (http://www.swimclub.co.uk/forum/member.php?u=295) will have to pop to the Nantwich Lido during the summer :wave:

[broomhillsaved]

Yes, it's great that Droitwich Lido is not going to be bulldozed, but the Council have still gone for their own "splash around" version and ignored the views of BOTH campaign groups who both said that people did want to actually swim and do lengths. See Linda's newsletters for more details.

Having said that, it is still a triumph for a group that has fought bravely for five years, against all the odds. A saved lido is a great deal better than a flower bed!

[Juicy Lucy]

...and it's fantastic news that Droitwich Lido has been saved from being turned into yet another monstrous yuppy housing estate.




Mmmm, Interesting. Droitwich was the club that David Sparkes coached at many years ago.

[Chris]

Mmmm, Interesting. Droitwich was the club that David Sparkes coached at many years ago.

Loaded statement?

[badger swimmer]

Glad 2 hear that the lido is to remain open in some form. I learnt to swim at th pool that used to be right next to the lido, and proceeded to win county and midland titles and reaching national finals. Although the lido wasn't used by the club much (probably not enough) it was used, and many swimmers benefited from it being there. I swam there plenty of times, and enjoyed the facility along with everyone else who filled it every day during the summer.

On another note, David Sparkes must have coached there before my time, but he was the so called 'President' during my years there. He was definately a 'silent' president however, so couldn't comment on whether he did or didn't do anything for the club. (Very quiet when he came to watch the club championships and fell asleep, great to see the interest shown by the Chief exec of the ASA)

[Juicy Lucy]

On another note, David Sparkes must have coached there before my time.

I'll be the first to admit... I thought he was a good coach. Droitwich always competed well in the Worcester County Championships. He gave up a lot of time and was as keen as mustard. I spoke to him a few times when he was sweating on the poolside while engrossed in coaching! He developed a couple of very good distance swimmers (boys) during his time at the club. Whatever is said about David Sparkes today, he was a coach worth his salt, which is more than can be said about some of the current crew. The day he gave up coaching at Droitwich saw the start of the decline of the club. That says a lot for the chief coach.

JL