25/11/11

By Andrew Holt

A group of volunteers that rallied their community to take on, rejuvenate and run a heated open-air swimming pool in Beccles, have received the Prime Minister’s Big Society Award.

Beccles Lido as set up following the closure of a once much-loved, open air pool, which had been running at a huge loss and was in need of massive investment.

A group of local residents, conscious of what a tremendous loss to the area this would be, galvanised the people of Beccles and set about the ambitious task of revamping, re-opening and running the pool themselves.

The determined volunteers secured overwhelming support from the town for the plans, with local people and businesses pledging time, money and expertise.

Presented with such passion and strong support for the scheme, the local council agreed to start negotiating the transfer of the pool and, in 2010, Beccles Lido Limited acquired the freehold.

Since that point, the Beccles group has raised over £300,000 and motivated a huge number of volunteers to be part of their exciting project, with over 10,000 volunteer hours clocked up.

The group hold coffee mornings, quizzes and dances which have not only raised much-needed funds, but also brought the town together, giving them the chance to discuss the scheme’s progress and meaning local residents have a real stake in the lido’s future.

They even organised their own lottery which continues to provide a regular income for the pool, fast approaching £6,000 annually.

Congratulating Beccles Lido, the Prime Minister said: “Beccles Lido shows the great things that can happen when the power of a community is unleashed.

“Congratulations to Beccles Lido and all the many volunteers and local businesses who decided to take action and play a part in the pool’s future.”

On receiving the award, Shaun Crowley from Beccles Lido said: “I am delighted to accept this award on behalf of all of the volunteers and local organisations who have helped us to save the pool and create Beccles Lido."

Beccles Lido have overhauled virtually every bit of equipment at the pool, as well as carrying out a host of energy saving and energy generating improvements that have both reduced costs and reduced the Lido’s carbon footprint.

The lido has been transformed from a £60,000 annual loss with less than 8,500 swimmers in 2008, into a profitable local leisure facility and tourist destination that had approaching 30,000 visitors in a 15 week 2011 Summer season.