Regular readers may have seen news items and diary dates about Bude Sea Pool, and wonder what exactly all the fuss is about.
I'm Rowena Hoseason, one of the founder members of the Friends of Bude Sea Pool, which is a volunteer-run charity, based here in North Cornwall.
I'll be sharing some of the behind-the-scenes details about what goes on at the Pool with you over the coming months.
But first – hopefully some background info will help to fill in the gaps!
A LITTLE HISTORY
The tidal swimming pool at Summerleaze Beach is one of Bude's hidden treasures. It nestles under the cliffs and was created 82 years ago to provide a safe place for people to swim, bathe and splash.
The Sea Pool uses the natural curve of the cliff and substantial outcrops of rock, combined with a man-made retaining wall. So there's plenty of water to swim in throughout the day, even when the tide is out.
Since it was built, thousands of people have learned to swim in safety in the Sea Pool.
There are some dangerous currents in the bay, and the Atlantic waves make it difficult to swim in the open sea at Bude.
So it's very common for several generations of families to take the waters in the Sea Pool – grandparents learned to swim in it when they were toddlers, and some families have been visiting Bude for 60 or 70 years to come back to the Pool each summer. The Sea Pool is one of Bude's key visitor attractions.
The Pool has changed very little over the years. One side of the cliffs became unstable, and the sunbathing terraces were built in the 1970s as a result.
There have been many swimming galas and competitions held in the Pool; there used to be a permanent Pool attendant who would rent out deckchairs and changing tents.
RECENT EVENTS
The Sea Pool was, until very recently, administered by Cornwall Council who withdrew its funding in 2010.
That mean it would be closed and probably demolished. The Friends of Bude Sea Pool was formed to save the Sea Pool, and this volunteer charity took on management of the Pool in April 2012.
This means that the Pool's running costs must now be funded by donations, business sponsorship, grants, fund-raising and FoBSP membership. FoBSP has begun several long-term projects to provide income, such as building 12 beach huts on the terraces which are then rented out.
FoBSP has also successfully secured several substantial grants, which enabled the group to carry out vital health and safety work and repairs earlier this year.
So the barriers on the sea wall – which were a considerable hazard to surfers – have been removed; new handrails installed alongside the steps to the beach, and the steps themselves have been resurfaced.
FoBSP also initiated a training programme for lifeguards in 2012, so the staff members at the Pool were apprentices who earned their professional qualifications over the season. As well as monitoring the Pool, FoBSP staff kept the Pool and its surroundings clean and tidy, and provided first aid and assistance to dozens of beach-users during the summer.
On the busiest day in 2012 over 500 people used the Sea Pool, and more than 50,000 people visited it during the course of the summer.
And it doesn't just get used in the warm weather – here's a vid clip of some very brave swimmers making the most of the Sea Pool in the middle of winter:
PLANS FOR 2013
The Sea Pool is filled at high tide with fresh sea water from the Atlantic. It's not a lido; the water isn't heated or treated in any way. So there's no chlorine or chemicals and a very small carbon footprint. Of course, that means that the Pool isn't heated and the water is the same as the sea which surrounds it. So it can be quite cool – which is wonderful on hot summer days – and you may meet some small fish during your swim! There's plenty of room for them and many swimmers: the Sea Pool is 88m long and around 45m wide and contains up to 900,000 gallons of water.
However, the structure of the Pool has been neglected in recent years and much of it is in need of repair and renovation. The water level in the Pool is controlled by a sluice gate system which is now beyond repair. So FoBSP are undertaking a major project in February and March 2013, to replace the sluice gate with a more flexible system. This will allow FoBSP to access the interior of the Pool more frequently, so it can be cleaned and dredged regularly. This will make the Pool a more consistent depth and improve the water quality, and allow more people to use the Pool throughout the year. This project will cost around £25,000.
FoBSP must also raise enough money to pay for any repairs needed to the walkways and steps after the winter storms have blown through, and to staff the Pool for the 2013 season. These costs are expected to be in the region of £30,000.
JOIN FoBSP
The Sea Pool provides safe bathing on a part of the Cornish coast where it is not safe to swim in the sea. It gives direct employment to local young people, and FoBSP use local businesses and contractors whenever possible to help the economy in the wider area. The Sea Pool is an important asset to the community in the area, and a vital visitor attraction which helps to support the hospitality industry in Bude and beyond. It is open access from the beach, and free for all to enjoy.
Membership of FoBSP costs just £10 for adults, or £5 for under 16s, per year. FoBSP aim to build membership to 4000, which will then cover the annual running costs of the Pool and allow the group to continue to improve and extend the facilities on offer.
You can join FoBSP at www.budeseapool.org or pick up a membership form from one of the banks in Bude, or drop into the Seventh Wave Gallery on Belle Vue in Bude, and sign up on the spot. Your support is VERY much appreciated!
And that's just the background to Bude Sea Pool: keep your eyes peeled for future updates being posted here...
