Letters to the Editors
BOTTISHAM SWIMMING POOL & SPORTS CENTRE: A NEW ERA BEGINS
Dear Editors,
By the time you read this the Swimming Pool will have been re-launched under its new Management. As Chairman of the previous Management Committee, I felt it would be appropriate for me to give an explanation for the change.
For more than 30 years the pool was successfully run as an independent charity and as a community we pay tribute to those who put so much effort and energy into its creation and continuance. However over recent years, it has become increasingly difficult to operate economically. Changes in the law relating to staffing and security have resulted in greatly increased costs.
Changes in the approach of the Charity Commissioners to the status of committee members, all of whom willingly volunteered their services, meant that they became Trustees with personal financial responsibility, making it increasingly difficult to get new members to join the committee and, in recent years, there was a disappointing lack of support from the local community.
The final straw was a sudden drastic reduction in the frequency of use of all sports facilities which occurred over the last two years and which was in large part responsible for very bad losses.
The Trustees decided that it was impractical to continue to manage the Bodytone Fitness Suite which they had been doing for the last five years, and terminated their agreement with the College Governors. Because of changes in the law relating to Child Protection issues, the Governors could not offer community use of the Bodytone, in isolation, and they asked the Trustees if they would be prepared to allow them to take over the running of the Pool as well so that they could continue to offer the sports facility as an integrated whole.
After a considerable amount of heart-seaching, the Trustees came to the conclusion that it would be in the best interests of the community to wind up the charity and transfer their lease of the swimming pool to the Governors to allow this to be done.
The Governors approached the County Council and successfully obtained a substantial capital grant to get the pool relined, the surroundings refurbished and the Bodytone suite and other facilities refurbished.
The whole sports facility is now back in operation and it all looks extremely good and I would encourage everyone to wholeheartedly support the new management by making full use of the facilities.
Just as before, it will depend on the support of our local community to keep our pool and sports centre open; it is a first class facility and deserves all our help. I beseech everyone, don't let the efforts of the last thirty years go to waste: It would be such a shame!
Greetings from Jan & Gabi Petersen
Dear Editors,
During a recent trip to Germany we visited Jan & Gabi at their home in the village of Joldelund in Schleswig Holstein where Jan is the parish priest. Joldelund is a rural village , similar in size to Swaffham Prior with an 800 year old fieldstone church housing an interesting painted 16th century altar screen and a brand new organ. Here Jan oversees the kindergarten school as well as teaching R.E. in the sixth form college of the local town, has started a scout group and is reviving the village brass band, whilst Gabi still works part time for a local vet.
Their family is growing with Malte , Finja and Lasse awaiting the arrival of a sibling in December. Their home at the Pastorat incorporates a parish room and office with a very large garden where they keep chickens, ducks, turkeys and geese and Jan enjoys driving round on his own tractor which is also used for family picnic trips.
They asked us to send greetings to all their friends in Swaffham Prior and hope to pay a visit to Swaffham Prior before too long .
Reduction of Bus Services (copy of letter to County Council)
Dear Editors,
As editor of Clunch, Burwell's community magazine, I would like to point out that it has not been possible for us to publish this [proposal to reduce bus services] before the consultation period expires. Our publication schedule means that our deadline is the beginning of the month for the end of the month. We have put a piece in this issue but it will not hit the doormat until Friday 26th or Saturday 27th. I understand that Swaffham Prior's village magazine is in the same situation.
I feel that the consultation period in this respect has been too short to allow for a proper feedback to be gathered from those affected - I note that no public notices have been displayed in the village to advise of the consultation. Perhaps in light of this you would consider lengthening the time that people have to register their views?
And the County Council's response:
We have spoken with our managers here and unfortunately it is not possible to extend the consultation period. They have said that we will consider late comments if they are soon after the closing date. All we can suggest is to gather the feedback in and send it in when you can.
Kind regards
Eds Note: Thanks Joanne. See lots more comment on this elsewhere in this issue!