The letters page of the Daily Telegraph has carried responses to Kate Hoey's article about lack of pools and the Government's and local authorities' anti-obesity posturing. There seems to be a belief that the sport, the recreation and its facilities are being rapidly privatised by a 'cartel' of facility owners, governing bodies, and private companies for the benefit of fee-paying adults. [LINK]

There are letters from Sally Wainman ...

"New Labour has successfully created a climate where local councils can state quite directly that "it is not their job to provide pools" and close them without further ado: Harlech Pool is the latest victim, with Gwynedd Council stating that a "major electrical fault" (broken light bulb?) means the pool is closed indefinitely, while they review their entire sport and leisure provision." [LINK]

and Brenda Humphreys ...

"Sadly, we are now seeing a massive decline in children being given the opportunity to learn to swim due to the many closures of school pools and local authority pools. In our own championships, it is the independent schools who dominate because these schools are blessed with their own pools." [LINK]

(Via The Daily Telegraph - Letters to the Sports Editor - Telegraph: .)

...more ---> ...

| press and publicity | 2 November 2007; 10:34:19 AM |# | | |