Holywell Mead Pool

I SHOULD like to congratulate Fusion and all those involved for getting The Rye open air pool (Holywell Mead) spruced up and re-opened in amazingly quick time. I know there has not been time to do a major refurbishment yet, but I was very pleasantly surprised by what has been achieved. The staff are welcoming and helpful, and give the place a friendly atmosphere. It is wonderful to be able to swim again locally in the open air – particularly when the sun is shining, but even when it is not!

The heated pool is now nice and warm, and it is open from early in the morning. I cannot understand why it is not being used more, and can only assume a lot of people still do not know it exists, or do not realise that it is heated. Come on in: the water is lovely!

Roland Lawrence, Bassetsbury Lane, High Wycombe

Today was the official reopening of our heated open air swimming pool. Together with local dignitaries we were given a tour and a briefing on the plans for the redevelopment of the site.

The management have sought to provide activities in addition to swimming so that full use can be made of the site. Today there was an opportunity to try kayaking and outside there are scheduled activities such as Aerobics and Yoga that are available. We also heard that Children’s Birthday Parties can now be booked.

The pool is heated so why wait until the pool is packed before you experience an open air swim?

For details of opening times and activities then visit the new website here

We will be in High Wycombe Town Centre this weekend to help spread the good news that our pool will be reopening next weekend.

If you can lend a hand for an hour or just want to pop by our market stall and say Hi we would be delighted to see you.

There is plenty going on in the Town Centre this Saturday including the Mayor’s weighing in ceremony. Come along and boo those politicians who have put on weight in the last year (probably as a result of not swimming enough!)

As part of the opening celebration the new managers of the pool are offering a free swim. You can find this offer here:  FREE Swim at Holywell Mead Pool

Fusion have made the following statement confirming that our Pool will re-open on 28th May 2011.

Following initial remedial work Fusion has confirmed the open air pool will be re-opened to swimmers on 28th May 2011 in time for the Bank Holiday.

The Grade II Listed pool at The Rye in High Wycombe, was first opened in 1957 based on a 1930’s design.

Following a competitive tender, Fusion Lifestyle, a sports and leisure management company which operates as a registered charity, was awarded a 50 year lease in February this year on the basis of its proposal to invest over £1 million in refurbishing the pool and providing new facilities to make them self-financing and so secure their future.

“The first phase is simply to refresh the pool side and the changing rooms so the pools can be opened again for the summer season,” said Anthony Cawley, Head of Facilities at Fusion.  The second phase will involve renovation of the pool building and adjacent Rye Centre, to house a new gym, exercise studios and café.

The tennis courts on The Rye and outdoor multi-use games area will also be maintained and managed by Fusion for everyone to enjoy. Work will start this autumn and is due to be completed by spring 2012.

Elaine Jewell, Head of Community Services  at Wycombe District Council commented: “We are delighted that the pool will soon be up and running again. With the plans for additional facilities to be available next year, Holywell Mead definitely has a very exciting future in store.”

The investment will be financed by Fusion and the new plans will be developed in partnership with Wycombe District Council.

As an independent registered charity, Fusion reinvests any surplus income made back into the facilities and activities they manage to ensure sustainable and accessible sport and leisure facilities for all in the community.

Peter Kay, Fusion’s CEO commented, “The team has put an enormous amount of effort into getting the pool ready in a short space of time and we’re looking forward to welcoming swimmers back over the summer.”

Congratulations to Fusion who now have the opportunity to provide the people of High Wycombe and local surrounding areas a newly refurbished out door swimming pool.

Local residents and professionals have worked hard for the past two years to secure this much loved pool for public use. The Holywell Mead Pool group, made up of local people and swimming enthusiasts are pleased that Fusion have negotiated with Wycombe District Council to undertake this venture. Neil Bailey, the groups chair declared:

“We are delighted that the council have agreed to enable an experienced and professional company this opportunity. The pool group are excited that Fusion have been successful. We (the group) would like to offer Fusion our support and help to raise funds for the pool and any additional facilities. We look forward to working with Fusion to ensure the pool remains a valuable asset to the local community.”

“Wycombe District Council made the difficult decision to close the pool in 2009 to save money. However the Holywell Mead Pool group campaigned to re-open the pool, and were convinced that this could be achieved without any expense to the council or local tax payer.”

With the Olympics looming it is highly likely there will be an increase in the activity levels of old and young. The pool lends itself to Triathlon training, swimming clubs, scuba instruction, canoe / kayak training etc. Some of the more progressive health trusts and GP’s are paying for swimming and gym sessions instead of endless prescriptions for happy pills and guidance over obesity and health issues linked to inactivity.

Neil Bailey

Holywell Mead Pool Trust Steering Group Committee Member

Whilst Wycombe District Council makes up it’s mind over the future of our local open air swimming pool the campaign group are continuing their involvement in the local community.

Today the group was at the West Wycombe Village Festive Fayre. The event was a great success with funds being raised and lots of support from residents who miss the swimming pool.

Thank you to all our helpers and the residents of West Wycombe. If you know of any community event that we can attend then please let us know.

Firstly we would like to say a big thank you to Wycombe District
Council for commencing the process of inviting bids to run the
Holywell Mead Outdoor Swimming Pool and its surrounding site.

On behalf of the Holywell Mead Pool Trust group we would like to say
how pleased we are that this process has begun. Our group have
continued to meet regularly, supported local events and campaigned to
raise awareness of the pool and its unique potential as a community
serving facility. We have been fortunate to have received much local
and wider public support.

We would like to continue to offer this support to any organisation
that succeeds in having its tender accepted. We promise to bring our
individual and collective group skills, passion and ambition to the
project. In return we ask for one simple promise. That as the
successful bidder you understand the weight of local opinion as
expressed in the recent consultation, our desire for this site to be
for the benefit of the community and that its use remains as a much
loved outdoor heated swimming pool. Please promise to provide a minimum of 3
months opening per year and entry fees that do not prevent sports
groups, local families, adults and children from using this as a
community facility.

At a recent open meeting attendees were informed that Wycombe District
Council would ensure the pool was fit for purpose (prior to an
organisation taking over) and that they would carefully consider all
proposals. We sincerely hope that the 2 years of commitment and
passion on our part to keep this issue a local priority will finally
come to a successful outcome for all the right reasons.

Kind regards

Neil Bailey – Chair – Holywell Mead Pool – Steering Group

The Holywell Mead Pool Group will be hosting a fundraising stall outside
the pool at this years Wycombe Half Marathon.
We will have a lucky dip, a tombola and plenty of others games for all
ages.
Come along on Sunday 18th July, pledge your support and join in the fun!

The Wycombe District Council consultation report has been published – clearly showing that residents still support the reopening the of the pool. The Steeering Group will be responding fully in due course. In the meantime, you can read coverage and download the report on the Bucks Free Press website.

Thank you for your continued support of our campaign to get Holywell Mead Swimming Pool re-opened.

Wycombe District Council have been inviting the public to take part in a consultation about the use of the Holywell Mead Pool site. This ‘consultation’ closes on Friday 22nd January so you only have a small amount of time to make your feelings clear. Unfortunately, there is no specific option that you can tick that allows you to register your support to upgrade and enhance the existing  swimming pool facility.

However, as part of the on-line survey, there are some text fields that allow you to spell out a clear message to the Council – that you value the swimming facilities and want to see the facilities improved to widen the appeal of this important leisure facility. In particular question 5.
I hope that you can find the time to express your views about the future of Holywell Mead Swimming Pool by clicking on the Wycombe District Council link below.

WDC Consultation