"CAMPAIGNERS trying to save their swimming pool from closure have taken their fight to the National Assembly.

A petition of more than 1,600 names, calling for Edwardsville pool in Treharris, Merthyr Tydfil, to remain open, was handed in yesterday by schoolchildren, parents and grandparents.

The Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Mike German AM accepted it on behalf of the Assembly Petitions Committee.

Merthyr council intends to close both Edwardsville and Gwaunfarren pools when a new state-of-the-art facility, including three pools, opens at Rhydycar next summer."

(Via IcWales AMs hear "save our pool" plea - icWales: .)

| Wales | 13 December 2007; 1:57:23 PM |# | | Discuss |

"Protesters in Blaenavon, Torfaen have abandoned their fight to save their swimming pool after fierce campaigning.

Torfaen Council is planning to demolish the pool and leisure centre replacing it with a school and health centre.

Meanwhile, protesters from Merthyr Tydfil are handing a petition to the assembly government to try to save Edwardsville pool in Treharris.

And in Gwynedd there has been a plea to delay the planned closure of Harlech swimming pool for at least a year.

In Blaenavon, despite hundreds of people taking part in demonstrations to save the pool after the roof was damaged in storms, campaigners have decided to abandon their attempt to stop it being demolished following legal advice.

'The problem is that going to court is a big risk with a lot of money at stake,' said John Beavan, former manager of the leisure centre and pool and chairman of the action group set up to save it."

(Via BBC NEWS | Wales | South East Wales | Fight abandoned amid new protests: .)

| Wales | 13 December 2007; 1:56:29 PM |# | | Discuss |

"Harlech swimming pool could remain open for another five months so that development opportunities can be explored, councillors have decided.

Following a review of the facility, Gwynedd council announced plans to close the pool in April 2008.

But a scrutiny committee agreed to recommend an extension until September. The council board will make a decision on this recommendation in the new year."

(Via BBC NEWS | Wales | North West Wales | Threatened pool may win reprieve: .)

| Wales | 13 December 2007; 1:56:10 PM |# | | Discuss |

"Plans to bring a new regional standard ice rink, swimming pool and leisure centre to Streatham have reached a major milestone with the signing of an agreement between Tesco – the developers, and Lambeth Council. The planning permission, Section 106 and development agreements detail the facilities and housing that Tesco will provide as part of this new development [LINK].

The project to develop the Streatham Hub will see major regeneration and improvements in the area, including the replacement of existing outdated leisure facilities and provision of 250 new homes – 87 of which are earmarked for social housing. It will also attract training opportunities for 400 new jobs in the area."

(Via 24 Dash Streatham regeneration scheme reaches major milestone | 24dash.com - Local Government: .)

| London Borough of Lambeth | 13 December 2007; 1:25:54 AM |# | | Discuss |

"A muslim company has produced a swimsuit alternative to the 'Burkini'

Mustaqim Ltd has launched a bathing suit that will suit not only Muslim women who want to swim while not exposing their bodies to the public, but indeed any woman who favours modesty, or who for health or other reasons may want to cover up while swimming.

The Mustaqim (pronounced Mustakeem) swimsuit was developed by Dr Sahib Mustaqim, who at first had wanted to import swimsuits manufactured by others, but found them impractical for swimming. Therefore an original study and experimentation was made to devise a swim suit that actually worked, while satisfying the modesty requirements of Islam."

(Via Muslim Swimming Costume For Women Goes Into Production: .)

| in the news | 13 December 2007; 1:08:52 AM |# | | Discuss |

"End of the road for Hadleigh Pool?  Engineering experts Scott, White and Hookins have concluded that the structure of the Hadleigh pool tank is in such a bad shape that they would not recommend Babergh Council spending any significant money on it. The Council might replace it with another community and leisure centre but not a pool [LINK].

This article states that if the Hadleigh pool closes then people from the town would have to use pools in Ipswich/Colchester/Sudbury or Stowmarket, all of which are about 12 miles away. 

(I have to add that they will find little joy in Ipswich, where the facilities are  worse in both quantity and quality than they were 20 years ago. Broomhill Pool has been allowed to lie derelict for over five years, Fore St Baths is only open to the public at lunchtimes (Mon-Fri) and Crown Pools has been earmarked for demolition once a replacement is built.)"

(Via poolingresources : Message: Evening Star - Hadleigh pool cannot be saved: .)

| pools at risk | 13 December 2007; 1:08:12 AM |# | | Discuss |