DARTMOUTH INDOOR SWIMMING POOL - MARCH 2016

Donations have flooded in towards Dartmouth’s indoor swimming pool start-up. Almost £35,000 has been given towards the fitting out of the pool project, which is under way at the top end of town. Construction work is due to be completed by the autumn but trustees are still fund raising for equipment for the pool once built. Trustee Sue Puddock said: ‘There is a real sense of anticipation as people watch the Dartmouth indoor pool taking shape. ‘It is such an achievement after 60 years of waiting, fundraising and negotiating, to have raised the money for the building and to see the longed for pool finally being built.’ Now St Petrox Trust Lands has stepped forward with £20,000, along with £9,100 from Dartmouth United Charities and £5,000 from the Old Dartmothians. Sue said that over the years many people in and around Dartmouth had worked and contributed to the fund, and recently the appeal has moved on from the build costs to raising cash for the start up and supplying the pool with equipment. Three major charities in Dartmouth have kick started the equipment fund, and already one local business has also made an offer of furniture. St Petrox Trust Lands spokesman Kate Ryder highlighted the importance for children having access to swimming lessons. ‘Not only does it allow young people to learn the skills required to have confidence in and around water which opens up activities like sailing, rowing, and canoeing, but knowing how to swim could ultimately save lives,’ she said. ‘Swimming is the only sport which any age group across the board can do from young to old.’ The donation from Dartmouth United Charities has contributed to a specific piece of equipment which will ensure that disabled people will have easy access to the pool. The disabled pool lift will make getting in and out of the water much easier for people with mobility problems. Spokesman Jill Cawley said: ‘Dartmouth United Charities is pleased to be able to support the indoor pool project which will bring new and long overdue opportunities to disabled people young and old.’ Old Dartmothians president Jan Cowling said: ‘We are happy to see the pool project taking shape after so many years. ‘People in Dartmouth and district should be really proud of what has been achieved so far.’ Howdens Joinery, which has branches in Dartmouth and Kings­bridge, has also pledged two reception desks for the pool. A company spokesman said: ‘Our firm has long been a part of Dartmouth’s business community and we are very pleased to be able to gift the desks.’

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DARTMOUTH ROWING CLUB - NEW EQUIPMENT - JANUARY 2016

 DARTMOUTH Rowing Club – having been rejuvenated with an influx of young scullers and rowers – has seen a need for new equipment to replace old, worn and damaged items.
When the club called for help to replace four rowing blades, the Old Dartmothians Assoc­iation agreed to pay for two.
Association president Jan Cowling went along to a junior rowing training evening last week to present a cheque for £700. In addition to the juniors, also present to receive the donation were club chairman Steve Hawke and the coach for the juniors, Shaun Barker. Mr Cowling said: ‘It gives me great pleasure to be here to present £700 on behalf of the Old Dartmothians Assoc­iation towards the purchase of more blades, and even more so to see a growth in numbers and interest by the youngsters of Dartmouth in continuing the tradition of rowing for the town, and to wish them a successful future.’ Rowing club secretary Ali McGrigor said: ‘This sum will go towards buying two of the four oars needed to replace the set that has been broken this past season. It is great that the Old Dartmothians Association has helped to ensure the juniors, and up and coming rowers, can carry on with their sport.’ Following the presentation, Mr Barker spoke about future training at the club to cope with demand. ‘Due to the successful increase in numbers of our junior members, we have now reached a point where we need to think differently about how we coach children with the limited equipment available,’ he said. ‘Tonight we had 21 eager youngsters with some more that couldn’t make it. The coaches would like to split the group and have two sessions on a Wednesday evening. The boys at 5.30pm and the girls at 6.45pm. ‘Each session will be 75 minutes.'

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