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Bath's Georgian swimming pool wins £4.5m towards restoration Bath's Georgian swimming pool wins £4.5m towards restoration
(about 5 hours later)
One of the most historic swimming pools in Britain – a beautiful but crumbling Georgian lido in Bath beside the river Avon – is to be restored and re-opened. One of the most historic swimming pools in Britain – a beautiful but crumbling Georgian lido in Bath beside the river Avon – is to be restored and reopened.
Cleveland Pools, where generations of children learned to swim alfresco in grand surroundings, has been awarded a multi-million-pound grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF). Cleveland Pools, where generations of children learned to swim alfresco in grand surroundings, has been awarded a multimillion-pound grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).
The pool complex opened in 1815 – the year of the Battle of Waterloo – following the passing of an act that prohibited nude bathing in the Avon. The pool complex opened in 1815, the year of the Battle of Waterloo, following the passing of an act that prohibited nude bathing in the Avon.
Laid out in the shape of a miniature Georgian crescent, the site includes bathing pools, changing rooms and a cottage where the supervisor used to live.Laid out in the shape of a miniature Georgian crescent, the site includes bathing pools, changing rooms and a cottage where the supervisor used to live.
The complex is one of only a small number of pre-Victorian sporting centres to survive nationally and it is believed that the Cleveland Pools could be the oldest swimming baths of its type in western Europe. The complex is one of only a small number of pre-Victorian sporting centres to survive, and it is believed that the Cleveland Pools could be the oldest swimming baths of its type in western Europe.
In 1978 the site closed to the public and was briefly used as a trout farm.In 1978 the site closed to the public and was briefly used as a trout farm.
It has since deteriorated but although on English Heritage's register Heritage at Risk, the main features remain intact. It has since deteriorated but, although on English Heritage's register Heritage at Risk, the main features remain intact.
The restoration project, which is being led by a community group, the Cleveland Pools Trust, will conserve the Georgian features and upgrade the facilities to allow for year-round swimming. When complete, the site will include a 25-metre swimming pool, children's splash area, pavilion and cafe. There are also plans to reinstate a pontoon so that the pools can be reached by boat.The restoration project, which is being led by a community group, the Cleveland Pools Trust, will conserve the Georgian features and upgrade the facilities to allow for year-round swimming. When complete, the site will include a 25-metre swimming pool, children's splash area, pavilion and cafe. There are also plans to reinstate a pontoon so that the pools can be reached by boat.
The former Olympic swimmer Sharron Davies, who has been a long-time supporter of the project, said: "This is such good news. After hard work and sheer perseverance by the trust and its advisers, it's looking like we will have a magnificent and unique pool in Bath that we can all enjoy for a proper outdoor swim."The former Olympic swimmer Sharron Davies, who has been a long-time supporter of the project, said: "This is such good news. After hard work and sheer perseverance by the trust and its advisers, it's looking like we will have a magnificent and unique pool in Bath that we can all enjoy for a proper outdoor swim."
Nerys Watts, head of HLF South West, said: "There's nothing quite like swimming in the great outdoors, and it's something which so many of us really enjoy, whatever our age.Nerys Watts, head of HLF South West, said: "There's nothing quite like swimming in the great outdoors, and it's something which so many of us really enjoy, whatever our age.
"Cleveland Pools are believed to be the oldest surviving example of a public swimming pool in England. They have a fantastic story behind them that provides a glimpse into how our ancestors spent their leisure time, and we're delighted to support this important project.""Cleveland Pools are believed to be the oldest surviving example of a public swimming pool in England. They have a fantastic story behind them that provides a glimpse into how our ancestors spent their leisure time, and we're delighted to support this important project."
The HLF grant will cover 85% of the total costs. The Cleveland Pools Trust is now looking to secure the remaining money and is hoping that the public will be moved to donate to make the project a reality. The Prince's Regeneration Trust, which specialises in restoration projects, provided advice on making the application to the HLF. The HLF grant will cover 85% of the total costs. The Cleveland Pools Trust is now looking to secure the remaining money and is hoping that the public will be moved to donate to make the project a reality.
Ros Kerslake, chief executive of the Prince's Regeneration Trust, said: "It's a momentous step forward for Cleveland Pools after years of hard work by everyone involved. In the current hot weather the cooling waters of the Cleveland Pools would be a popular and attractive asset for everyone in Bath. We are now finally close to making that happen." The Prince's Regeneration Trust, which specialises in restoration projects, gave advice on making the application to the HLF. Ros Kerslake chief executive of the Prince's Regeneration Trust said: "It's a momentous step forward for Cleveland Pools after years of hard work by everyone involved."
The HLF is providing Cleveland Pools Trust with a development grant of £366,200 and has earmarked funding of £4.1m for the restoration.The HLF is providing Cleveland Pools Trust with a development grant of £366,200 and has earmarked funding of £4.1m for the restoration.