(Thanks to Lesley for the first 3 pictures and Peter for the last 2)
The Town Crier, Mr Peter Green, Officially Opening the Open Air Pool at 10am this morning – in the rain.
The popularity of the pool is very much dependent on weather, and the warmth of the water, and the Friends of Abingdon Outdoor Pool are keen to see the pool well used this year, and a few of them were there to open the season with a splash.
The Friends are running a competition on their website to win a free season ticket.
One factor in encouraging customers to use the pool is its appearance. With that in mind, the Friends of the Open Air Pool arranged for volunteers, under supervision of the district council, to give it a make-over before the opening. The Mayor of Abingdon on Thames has already been featured by local press as taking part. Also worthy of note is that our local MP, Nicola Blackwood, did a stint.
As did Layla Moran, the local Lib-Dem Parliamentary Candidate in 2015. Waitrose provided refreshments.
Pool Open:
24th May – 1st September 2014
10am – 6pm Monday to Sunday
Timetable and Prices
While it is fairly widely advertised that under 16s can swim free, what is less well-publicised is that there are reduced prices both at the Outdoor Pool and the Leisure Centre for people on means-tested benefits. A really valuable benefit for those who don’t have much money to spend on non-essentials. Details at http://www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk/services-and-advice/sports-and-leisure/leisure-facilities/our-leisure-centres/leisure-discounts
As a person who works full time and has a mortgage, childcare fees and bills to pay etc. etc. I would also say that I don’t have much money for non-essentials. No help for people like me but there you go…
Opening times seams to for the retired and work shy. Swimming pool is great, but it’s a shame it will never be open at a time I can attend.
I was going to say something similar myself Sasha – I agree with you all the way!
At least we can enjoy the water jets in Abbey Meadow for free – except they weren’t working today…This is the second week I have “Chosen Abingdon”…and been disappointed. (Last week when it was really really hot…no one went down to turn the tap on. If they did, it may have been a good test, as this week, when it was hot and they WERE turned on…there was ‘a problem with the pressure’, so weren’t working). Thank goodness there’s nothing major to be dealing with!
Good to see two of our career politicians trying to cash in on the act, must have been an election in the offing?
Good news – except once again it’s only open during the day making it pointless, except during busy weekends, for a huge number of people with full time jobs. Its minutes from my house, but I am in work during its opening hours – whilst I’d love to support and use it, I cant!
Ha ha, and yet the mayor is un-named 🙁
be off you Independent !
How come it’s down to the friends to do?? Do a private company not run this??
This year, 2015, I see the pool is open from Bank Holiday Monday, 25th May, but not the Saturday of the beginning of half term, 23rd May. I do sympathise with jon and CD who live nearby but go to work during the hours the pool is open. They would love to enjoy an outdoor swim during the week. Is it unreasonable to ask for one late night opening?