The Hebden Royd and District Swimming Pool Association (HRDSPA) is consulting on their new vision for an open air swimming pool which is cleaned by natural processes.
Louise Heppleston, a new trustee who is leading on community engagement, said “We’ve been consulting with local councils and community groups but we are also very keen to talk to businesses which might want to work with us. For instance local companies involved in leisure, sport, health and well being or those which might use the facilities for awaydays or other activities. We have a consultation form for businesses at this link.”
The Association is looking for a site to build the pool and wants to talk to landowners who have land that might be suitable. “We want the pool to be a beautiful place that fits into the local landscape and provides a clean freshwater habitat that nurtures biodiversity as well as people” explained Maggie Smallwood, the Charity’s new secretary. “The pool will be an outdoor sports activity so we think we can locate it in the green belt.”
Clara Collet, one of three new trustees elected last year, commented “I am a keen wild swimmer but lots of people can’t enjoy open water swimming because places are inaccessible. Ideally we want a site which people can get to by public transport or on foot and we want to design it so it is accessible for everyone.”
Nick Wilding, Chair of the board, explained why the Charity had decided to focus on development of a natural outdoor pool: “We simply cannot make an indoor, heated pool stack up financially because the running costs are so high. A natural pool will be much cheaper to run. Growing recognition that cold water swimming has health benefits means more and more people want a safe and legal place to do it. Natural swimming pools have been working in Germany and the USA for twenty or thirty years so I’m sure we can make it work here.”
Dorothy Sutcliffe, longstanding member of the HRDSPA, said “I’m 90 years old now and I have been trying to get a swimming pool built in the Calder Valley for the past half a century. These younger people have the vision and practical skills to make it happen.”
The trustees are keen to engage with the local business community. You can find them
- facebook @hebdenroydpool,
- website https://www.hebdenroydpool.org/
- email hebdenroydpool@gmail.com.
- Business consultation questionnaire https://forms.gle/4kUtsB7PpX8aKTYVA
Image header and bottom left: 2 municipal natural pools in Germany. Image bottom right: Poole Bridge Farm South of York – the farmer owns four gravel pits that were used for angling. He has converted three of these to swimming.
