London Pools Campaign: news from the campaign for London's pools

Obesity policy can either sink or swim - Kate Hoey in the Telegraph

After you read the linked article you may want to read the Commons debate of the Foresight Review of Obesity Report and here is the report itself.

"One of the easiest and most enjoyable forms of taking exercise is swimming and yet all over the country public swimming pools are still closing down. A few are being replaced, but usually with a smaller pool, and many of the old swimming baths with two pools have ended up with just one.

Yet, according to the Government's own strategy report on sport, swimming has the third highest retention rate in terms of post-teenage activity – and thus an important recreational activity to combat obesity. So you would think that swimming in schools would be encouraged.

Yet in my own area of London, Stockwell Park School, which already has a 25 metre swimming pool, is going to be totally rebuilt with money from the Building Schools for the Future fund – minus its pool. To the surprise of the community Lambeth Council says the government guidelines don't specify a swimming pool as being necessary and there isn't enough money. Schools Minister Jim Knight in a written answer to me said that it is up to the local authority to decide whether to replace the pool."

(Via The Daily Telegraph Obesity policy can either sink or swim: .)

Go straight to the comments on her article and have your say.

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Schools hit activity targets (early)

Recently the Government announced that 800,000 people had come to Britain to live and work since 1997 and the public laughed. Now we read that all is well in the school gym and on the playing fields.

"Schools across UK have reached their activity targets a year early, according to a government report.
The 2006-07 School Sport Survey found that 86 per cent of pupils now participate in at least two hours of PE and school sport per week. The figure is just above the 85 per cent target set by government for schools to reach in 2008."

(Via Leisure Opportunities: Schools hit activity targets: .)

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Leicestershire, Pools close for £500,000 revamp

"Two swimming pools in Leicester are to close for three months to allow major refurbishment work to be carried out.

Cossington Street Sports Centre is to close on 5 November while the pool is completely overhauled and new family and disabled changing rooms put in.

Beaumont Leys Pool will close on 30 October to allow general maintenance work and a revamp of the wet changing area to be carried out.

The city council apologised for the closures but said plans were on track.

Mark Laywood, sports project manager from Leicester City Council, said: 'We appreciate there's never a good time to shut any pool."

(So shut two together Mark? Ed)

(Via BBC NEWS | England | Leicestershire | Pools close for £500,000 revamp: .)

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