The Cleveland Pools Trust has unveiled its £3 million vision at a launch event held at the Bath Spa Hotel for plans to save the pools from dereliction and to achieve the goal of restoring them for public use.
The plans include restoring the Georgian pool to provide swimming in a naturally treated, heated pool, a children’s splash pool, cafe and landing stage for people arriving by boat.
The Bath stone cubicles and cottage will be conserved, while the upper Victorian pool will be covered to provide space for events and the Ladies’ Pool area will be used for heritage and educational activities.
Explaining the motivation behind the ambitious project, Ann Dunlop said: “This beautiful spot is unique in being the oldest public open-air swimming pool in the country, built and open by 1815. It is on the banks of the river Avon and should be an important community resource and visitor attraction. It embodies much of the history of Bath, and of its importance as a World Heritage Site. And of course, everybody loved swimming there!”
Despite welcoming visitors until almost 30 years ago, the Grade II*-listed Georgian baths are registered as a “building at risk” by English Heritage.
The six trustees and a committed band of volunteers, supported by Bath and North East Somerset Council, the Prince’s Regeneration Trust and English Heritage, have completed urgent work to halt the decay.
Ann continued: “Work has been carried out to stabilise the buildings, many hours have been put in to keep the weeds at bay, fundraising has been started, talks have been given to local history groups and residents’ associations, and a publicity campaign is under way. Our first Heritage Lottery Funding application was unsuccessful but we have done much more work in the areas suggested and hope for a better outcome this time”.
At the launch evening sponsors and supporters were thanked including reception sponsors The Bath Spa Hotel and Morgan Brinkhurst Consultancy ‘Events & Promotions’ who organised the reception and the launch of the fundraising appeal.
The trust’s efforts have already won the support of Bath MP Don Foster and Olympic swimmer Sharron Davies, who said: “I am delighted to be supporting the Cleveland Pools project through the Prince’s Regeneration Trust.
“This is a hugely important project for both the community and the country. We have on our doorstep the oldest open air swimming air pool in the UK and yet this stunning site has been left in a state of disrepair and decay.
“The local group behind this project are working tirelessly to save this national heritage. It is to be established not just as an important historic site but as a thriving community asset that will provide local people with a beautiful open air pool right by the river, encouraging swimming and an appreciation of our wonderful natural landscape.”
For more information, visit the trust’s website www.clevelandpools.org.uk.
