Top award for volunteers at pools revamp
Bath’s historic Cleveland Pools are almost ready to re-emerge, shiny and new from their long restoration project.
In the meantime, volunteers have been rewarded for their work with the community in helping share stories from the oldest surviving open air public swimming baths in the UK.
The Interpretation Volunteers at Cleveland Pools Trust have been named the national winners of the 2020 Marsh Volunteer Awards, which celebrate the work and achievements of museum volunteers across the UK.
Anna Baker, project director, said: “Winning this award shows the impact that community support brings to projects like the Cleveland Pools, and what we can achieve when we work together,.
“Our volunteers are now focused on the hard task of fundraising so any financial support your readers can give would be very much appreciated, as we work towards reopening the pools next summer.”
Work is now progressing fast on the project despite very challenging access to the lido - which opened in 1817 - and delays due to Covid.
The shell of the children’s pool is now complete, work is progressing rapidly on the main pool and the pit housing the pools’ cover is well on the way. Towards the end of November, it is hoped the pools will be rendered before tiling begins.
Away from the pools, stonemasons are repairing the buildings, paying close attention to the chimney stacks and roof structures on the crescent building and cottage. The western end of the main building, which once housed the ladies’ pool, needs a lot of work to make it structurally sound.
Finally, work is also about to commence on the buildings’ interiors.
With the inspiration of project director Anna, and the leadership of community engagement and volunteer officer Samantha Grief, project volunteers won the prestigious award for their storytelling and their playful “less facts, more splash” tone.
“We are absolutely thrilled that our volunteer interpretation team has been recognised with this national award by the Marsh Awards for their unwavering commitment to the pools,” said Alice Le Page, learning and engagement trustee.
“It has been a challenging year but continuing to collaborate with volunteers has been essential to ensure our communities are represented and to create accessible, relevant, and engaging interpretation for this important heritage site.”
Presenting the awards, Muriel Gray, a trustee of the British Museum highlighted the role of volunteers up and down the country.
She said: “Museums across the UK are grateful for the contribution of volunteers to ensure their collections reach and inspire as many people as possible.
“The efforts of volunteers up and down the country in 2020 are an inspiration as they gave their time throughout the challenges of multiple lockdowns and museum closures due to the pandemic.”
The trust still needs to raise £400,000 to complete the project. To make a contribution to the restoration work go to: https://localgiving.org/donation/clevelandpoolstrust.