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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/jun/29/yorkshire-swim-works-hope-to-create-highest-lido-in-uk
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| Yorkshire swimmers hope to raise £65,000 to create highest lido in UK | Yorkshire swimmers hope to raise £65,000 to create highest lido in UK |
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| Yorkshire Swim Works will be a chemical-free swimming pool with a sauna and community space | Yorkshire Swim Works will be a chemical-free swimming pool with a sauna and community space |
| A crowdfunding campaign has been launched to create the UK’s highest-altitude lido from a natural pool in the Yorkshire moors. | A crowdfunding campaign has been launched to create the UK’s highest-altitude lido from a natural pool in the Yorkshire moors. |
| Local swimmers are hoping to raise £65,000 to buy the 2.8-hectare (7-acre) site of the former Thornton Moor water treatment works near Oxenhope, a small village close to Haworth, which was once home to the Brontë sisters. | Local swimmers are hoping to raise £65,000 to buy the 2.8-hectare (7-acre) site of the former Thornton Moor water treatment works near Oxenhope, a small village close to Haworth, which was once home to the Brontë sisters. |
| They hope to turn the land into Yorkshire Swim Works, a chemical-free naturally filtered swimming pool with a sauna, community space and eco-lodges. | They hope to turn the land into Yorkshire Swim Works, a chemical-free naturally filtered swimming pool with a sauna, community space and eco-lodges. |
| Backed by Bradford council and a grant from the government, the not-for-profit organisation hopes to provide a new outdoor swimming destination at a time when access to swimming pools in the UK is dwindling. | Backed by Bradford council and a grant from the government, the not-for-profit organisation hopes to provide a new outdoor swimming destination at a time when access to swimming pools in the UK is dwindling. |
| The proposed pool would be open all year round and unheated, with water temperatures likely to range from zero to 25C. | The proposed pool would be open all year round and unheated, with water temperatures likely to range from zero to 25C. |
| Naturally filtered pools are common in Germany, Scandinavia, France and Austria, where plants and a mineral bed cleanse the water of harmful bacteria, making it suitable for outdoor bathing. | Naturally filtered pools are common in Germany, Scandinavia, France and Austria, where plants and a mineral bed cleanse the water of harmful bacteria, making it suitable for outdoor bathing. |
| The former water-purifying site is being auctioned in July with a guide price of £110,000 by Kelda group, a sister company of Yorkshire Water that is owned by a handful of asset managers from outside the UK, including Singapore, the US, Germany and Australia. | The former water-purifying site is being auctioned in July with a guide price of £110,000 by Kelda group, a sister company of Yorkshire Water that is owned by a handful of asset managers from outside the UK, including Singapore, the US, Germany and Australia. |
| Caroline Kindy, the founder of Yorkshire Swim Works, said it was a unique opportunity to bring “a landmark community project” to the area. | Caroline Kindy, the founder of Yorkshire Swim Works, said it was a unique opportunity to bring “a landmark community project” to the area. |
| She said: “We see the Yorkshire Swim Works as much more than a safe outdoor swimming destination. We see it as a hub for everyone to enjoy all outdoor activities – hiking, running, cycling and walking, with biodiversity and Stem learning opportunities.” | She said: “We see the Yorkshire Swim Works as much more than a safe outdoor swimming destination. We see it as a hub for everyone to enjoy all outdoor activities – hiking, running, cycling and walking, with biodiversity and Stem learning opportunities.” |
| Robbie Moore, the MP for Keighley, said the site would “serve as a fantastic cultural asset, attracting tourists and swimmers alike and providing a boost to our local economy – all whilst being permanently owned by the community”. | Robbie Moore, the MP for Keighley, said the site would “serve as a fantastic cultural asset, attracting tourists and swimmers alike and providing a boost to our local economy – all whilst being permanently owned by the community”. |
| He added: “I urge everyone to join Yorkshire Swim Works’ crowdfunding campaign and contribute towards this fantastic local project in the beautiful surrounds of the Worth Valley.” | He added: “I urge everyone to join Yorkshire Swim Works’ crowdfunding campaign and contribute towards this fantastic local project in the beautiful surrounds of the Worth Valley.” |
| The county of West Yorkshire has only one lido for 2.3 million people, in the spa town of Ilkley. A project to regenerate a 100-year-old derelict outdoor pool in nearby Otley is also currently under way, which will provide a heated outdoor pool with a retractable roof after locals successfully raised £60,000 through a similar crowdfunder. | The county of West Yorkshire has only one lido for 2.3 million people, in the spa town of Ilkley. A project to regenerate a 100-year-old derelict outdoor pool in nearby Otley is also currently under way, which will provide a heated outdoor pool with a retractable roof after locals successfully raised £60,000 through a similar crowdfunder. |
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| Councils too are reinvesting in swimming facilities as the benefits of outdoor swimming to mental and physical health become better known. | Councils too are reinvesting in swimming facilities as the benefits of outdoor swimming to mental and physical health become better known. |
| Hull city council is spending £10.5m to renovate its inner-city lido, and Ilford council in east London recently announced plans to build a new outdoor pool in Valentines Park as part of an £11m development. | Hull city council is spending £10.5m to renovate its inner-city lido, and Ilford council in east London recently announced plans to build a new outdoor pool in Valentines Park as part of an £11m development. |
| In Cumbria, South Lakes council is working with community activists to reopen Grange lido in Grange-over-Sands, by Morecambe Bay. | In Cumbria, South Lakes council is working with community activists to reopen Grange lido in Grange-over-Sands, by Morecambe Bay. |
| This comes after Guardian analysis earlier this year of data collected by Sport England found a net decline of 382 swimming pools across the country since 2010. These figures include local authority- and community-owned pools, privately run health facilities, schools and sports clubs. The loss of pools has led to an estimated £1bn loss of associated social value through health and community benefits. | This comes after Guardian analysis earlier this year of data collected by Sport England found a net decline of 382 swimming pools across the country since 2010. These figures include local authority- and community-owned pools, privately run health facilities, schools and sports clubs. The loss of pools has led to an estimated £1bn loss of associated social value through health and community benefits. |
| The figures showed more health-deprived areas suffered the biggest losses, dropping by 14%, compared with 6% in the least deprived areas. | The figures showed more health-deprived areas suffered the biggest losses, dropping by 14%, compared with 6% in the least deprived areas. |