Celebrating our Centenary in 2022

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Chair’s update November 2021

Jane Savidge

27 November 2021

A Bigger Splash!

This issue of Poolside Chat marks the start of a very significant year for Hampton Pool. A pivotal year which includes the Pool’s 100th birthday on 24 June 2022 and the start of fundraising for our fabulous new building.

Hampton Pool’s official opening took place on 24 June 1922 following many years of negotiation to find a suitable site for a swimming bath in Hampton, and a lengthy suspension of work due to the First World War. To mark our milestone birthday, we are planning a programme of events, activities and competitions throughout the year. Save the date and watch this space and social media, as further details will be provided over the Christmas period.

Some of you may remember the successful Sink or Swim campaign which secured the reopening of Hampton Pool in 1985 following closure by the council, or you may have helped with the more recent Splash for Cash campaign which supported further upgrading in 2004. We need your help once again to make an even bigger splash this coming year. Our centenary provides the perfect opportunity to support the future of our lovely open air swimming pool by joining in the fundraising fun to support us in finding the funding to construct our new building.

We hear some lovely comments about the difference the Pool makes “It’s a really unique experience and it’s the other swimmers who make it so special.” “This wonderful place has been my sanity! Just love it.” Our Bigger Splash in 2022 will be all about showcasing the positive impact of the Pool on the lives of local people, even more important as we emerge from two long years of Covid.

We are already busy collecting evidence of our reach and impact – Did you know, for example, that Hampton Pool has 51,000 registered users of the Hampton Pool Booking App! or that 45,320 entries to the pool in 2019-20 were made by children attending swimming lessons (the last pre-Covid year).

Part of our work next year will be about making our positive impact more visible. We are collecting stories and memories past and present to show what a difference the Pool makes to people’s lives and how our impact will be increased by our new building. This will provide access for all, much needed improvement to our changing spaces, increased space and flexibility in the gym and studio enabling a wider range of activities all year round, all made possible by the flexibility and imagination of the building design.

Members receive regular updates by email from the Trust Board

If you are a member of Hampton Pool Trust and not recieving these updates, it might be because your email address is out-of-date. If you think this might be the case, please send your new address to the secretary here.

Another glorious summer at the Pool

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Chair’s update June 2021

Jane Savidge

22 June 2021

Following the roller coaster of news about the pandemic in recent months, it’s lovely to see so many people returning to swimming and exercise at Hampton Pool. We are still hoping for a long hot summer and early autumn to make up for the poor spring! Thank you to the Pool team for all the detailed planning which has enabled each pool reopening to happen smoothly and swiftly and for the continuing work to improve our “beach ready” changing experience.

Whilst we wait for a confirmed date for the full easing of social distancing, we continue to work with YMCA St Paul’s Group, our pool operator, to plan for a phased return to our usual operating model once this can be safely reintroduced.

At the moment all Trust members and pool customers need to continue to book ahead using the app or website before arriving at the pool; however, we are looking forward to getting back to being sociable, and for the return of drop in and swim, both so important to the ethos of the pool.

Members receive regular updates by email from the Trust Board

If you are a member of Hampton Pool Trust and not recieving these updates, it might be because your email address is out-of-date. If you think this might be the case, please send your new address to the secretary here.

The Pool at Christmas under Covid safety measures

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Chair’s update December 2020

Jane Savidge

16 December 2020

We are finally nearing the end of this strange year and despite the recent move into Tier 3, the pool remains open and the warm water is as inviting as ever. It is heartening to see so many people continuing to swim and take exercise. Thank you for your continuing support come rain or shine.

Christmas is almost upon us and the Christmas period swim and exercise slots are now bookable on the Hampton Pool App and via Book Online. I hope many of you will manage to swim during the Christmas period.

Although most of us will need to continue to arrive beach ready and change on the poolside, those over 70, with a specific medical need or with small children under 2 can now register for priority use of indoor changing rooms. Once registered, you can pre-book an indoor changing space at the same time as booking a swim, subject to indoor spaces being available. The numbers are restricted to ensure the safety of those using the facilities. Thank you to all our members who continue to change outside and to the pool team on behalf of all of us for all the hard work done to make the outdoor experience as comfortable as possible.

Whatever the Christmas period means for you this year, on behalf of Hampton Pool Trust Board, I would like to wish you, your family and friends good health and happiness.

Annual Report and Financial Statements

I am also pleased to provide a copy of Hampton Pool Trust Annual Report and Accounts for the year ending 31st March 2020 following completion of the external review. These have recently been published on the Companies House website and will be added to the Charities Commission website when we submit the annual return for the Trust. The Trust made a surplus of £86,103 and the Reserves increased to £1,283,858. A couple of points to note:

• Covid 19 has had an impact on these accounts and will also impact the current financial year (year ending 31 March 2021). There is a section of the Trustees Report (p5) that addresses this topic
• The line descriptions, particularly on the Income & Expenditure Account (p14), are not fully reflective of the underlying activity and so to provide a better understanding to Members, some additional explanatory comments have been added within the orange framed comment boxes.

The Annual Report can be downloaded here.

Green Transport Planning

Thank you to all members who responded to our recent travel survey. This has provided useful data on the factors influencing choices made about mode of transport when travelling to the pool. It had a particular focus on pedestrian access and provision for cyclists. We have used this data in our application to the community fund which, if successful, will enable some improvements to be made for pedestrians and cyclists ahead of the building redevelopment.

Members receive regular updates by email from the Trust Board

If you are a member of Hampton Pool Trust and not recieving these updates, it might be because your email address is out-of-date. If you think this might be the case, please send your new address to the secretary here.

An artist’s impression of the plans for the sun terrace and the café

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Approval of Hampton Pool Development Plans

Jane Savidge

19 November 2020

We are pleased to announce that Hampton Pool Trust’s proposals to develop Hampton Pool to provide fit-for-purpose buildings and infrastructure were approved by the London Borough of Richmond-upon-Thames Planning Committee on 18 November.

Our plans, which had previously been approved at Stage 1 by the Greater London Authority, meet all aspects of the London Plan and borough requirements, as such they were recommended for approval by Richmond Planning Department, a decision that was agreed unanimously by the councillors.

With planning permission in place, we now go back to the Greater London Authority for Stage 2 approval. From there we move on to the detailed design development, mobilising our fundraising campaign ahead of construction.

These approved plans, which have been developed with the support of the YMCA, were approved by members in 2018, represent the Trust’s vision to secure the long-term future of the pool by upgrading the facilities. Originally submitted to the Council in 2016 the plans have developed significantly in response to changes in sustainable technology and context. The new development will retain the focus on swimming and the open-air ethos of Hampton Pool whist ensuring stable income during the winter months when swimming numbers are lower.

Details

Full details of the plans, the planning officer report and the webcast of the Planning Committee may be found here.

Heart of the community

Hampton Pool has been at the heart of our local community for almost 100 years. We know how much the pool means to our local community and we will be in touch about the timing of member conversations as we move forward with the fundraising and design phase. One thing is clear, the unique opportunity to swim outdoors in heated water on the edge of beautiful Bushy Park, 365 days a year is at the centre of all our plans.

The story has also been reported in the Richmond & Twickenham Times here.

Members receive regular updates by email from the Trust Board

If you are a member of Hampton Pool Trust and not recieving these updates, it might be because your email address is out-of-date. If you think this might be the case, please send your new address to the secretary here.