We are both disgusted at pool closure

COUNCILLOR Paul Boldrin and myself felt compelled to write in to the Echo together and express our disgust at the proposed closure of the swimming pool at Charnwood College.

This proposed closure on purely economic grounds fills us with immense sadness.

I (Paul) didn’t learn to swim until my 30s when I had three sons and realised I needed to so that I could take them swimming. I learnt too late to get any real technique but my sons are good swimmers.

On another personal note my former wife also a competent swimmer saved a girl from drowning on Hastings beach.

The closure of such an important facility for schools is likely to result in local children not being able to learn to swim and in OUR schools having to increase transport spend when their budgets are already under great pressure.

As fellow councillor and world record long distance swimmer, aquatic teacher and coach, I (Julie) am also infuriated at this proposal.

I began swimming at school at an early age and value my experience as a youngster very much. It shaped my life and have followed the ‘water passion’ ever since.

Swimming is an invaluable skill in all respects – helps save lives, great for mental health and physical well-being amongst the many benefits.

Charnwood College has an amazing pool, which students can use and children can learn to swim in.

A swim school has run there for many years – just imagine how many youngsters are going to miss out at a time of their lives when they need to be encouraged to swim.

Closing this pool would be an absolute travesty and we need to fight together to keep it open.

Please contact us if you share the same views and want something to be done. Coun Paul Boldrin (Garendon Ward) and Coun Dr Julie Bradshaw MBE (Loughborough Ashby Ward)