M.A.D.S.P.A. - Summer 2009 Update

The pool is now up and running for the summer season. The opening hours are very much the same as last year with the exception of the Over 50's swim, which is now on Saturday morning (come any time between 9.30 - 11.00 a.m.) We will try it for six weeks then make a decision whether to continue. Pick up a brochure from the Library, Infolinks or the Pool.

We are staging a Triathlon on Saturday 20 June from 10.00 a.m. (sorry there will be no Senior Swim on that day). Ring Dian (321581) or Anne (321175) to register an interest. Entry will be £3 for under 16 years and £5 over 16 years. Entrants need to be confident swimmers. Age categories will apply (full rules available when registered).

On Sunday 12 July we will be hosting the annual "It's a Knockout" from 2.00.m. onwards. Teams of 5 will compete for the trophy. Please join in. We would like it if the local pubs would enter a team and make it a really amusing day.

The "Sponsored Swim" will be held on Friday 11 September from 4.00 to 9.00 p.m. It will be for the children but we can go on all through the night!! Come and enjoy a swim under the lights and help us raise some money to keep this wonderful facility open.

We were unlucky not to get a Lottery Grant for the specialized "solar heating". The reason given "too many people and too little money!" If every household in the village gave just £1.00 we could buy this system! It only costs £4,000. The system involves rubber tubing laid over black aluminium sheets. The tube is full of water which gets hot and feeds back into our system. Our water only needs to be 84 degrees Fahrenheit for enjoyable swimming. With our new covers, which also help to heat the water, we could rely more on sunshine and less on gas. Our estimated gas bill for our 16 week season will be in the region of £3,000.

Dian Robinson (Chair)