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Charity set up to reopen closed swimming pool

Ward Freman Community Group A group of school children, sitting on the floor, looking at four people who are holding a banner saying, "Supporting Buntingford's Swimming Pool"Ward Freman Community Group
A non-uniform day was held at Buntingford First School on Friday to raise funds for the group

A newly formed charity says it needs to raise about £190,000 to reopen a "vitally important" swimming pool.

The Ward Freman Swimming Pool in Buntingford, Hertfordshire, closed in December when East Herts District Council said it was "necessary" due to the costs needed to upgrade it.

The Ward Freman Community Group's aim is to take over the running of the facility if it is able to raise the funds to fix its broken tiles, repair the filtration system and replace expansion joints.

Joanne Willett, a trustee, said if it reopened, it would be used by all ages within the community.

Ward Freman Community Group There are four people standing in a line in front of a building that has purple flowers on the walls and greenery. Left to right, the people are Joanne Willett, Philip Wylie, Alison Barr and Sheila White. They are all looking at the camera and smiling.Ward Freman Community Group
Trustees of the charity, Joanne Willett, Philip Wylie, Alison Barr and Sheila White, have been working hard to raise funds

The pool opened in 1970 as part of Ward Freman School, which is now Freman College.

It was used by schools during the day and the community after school hours and during the weekend.

It was managed by East Herts Council and owned by Hertfordshire County Council.

"Young children used it to learn to swim at school; older people used it for exercise, and it was ideal for anyone with sensory needs or learning needs as it was smaller. It's a friendly pool, due to its size," Ms Willett said.

"It's vitally important, as we now have to go to Ware or Hertford to use their pools.

"If we take it on as a community pool, we will make sure when the schools aren't using it, we will open it during the day."

She said in total nearly £1m was needed to completely update the pool, with new changing rooms, solar panels, new plant equipment, new wiring and tiles.

A community space could be created in a cafe, she added.

A more realistic sum of £400,000 has been calculated to replace the broken tiles, replace the expansion joints and repair the filtration system.

Ward Freman Community Group An image of the Ward Freman Swimming Pool with no water in it. It has cream tiles and metal steps.Ward Freman Community Group
The swimming pool was drained of water after it closed last December

East Hertfordshire District Council confirmed the pool had been drained, and it would continue to work with the community group and Hertfordshire County Council to find funding to keep the pool open, and it would review the situation again in 2025.

It has pledged £200,000, and Buntingford Town Council has also pledged £1,500, with the group needing to raise the rest.

Buntingford Live will be hosting a Halloween dance party on 26 October to help raise funds for the group.

Ward Freman Community Group A man, wearing a mayoral chain, and a jacket, standing next to a young woman, at a book stall, by a banner that says "Supporting Buntingford's Swimming Pool"Ward Freman Community Group
Buntingford's mayor Duncan Wallace supported a book stall to raise funds for the charity

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