Free Swimmimg continued until September

[hermes2007]

Thanks to continued financial support from NHS Wiltshire, Wiltshire Council is able to carry on providing free swimming until the end of September, despite the Government withdrawing its funding.

People aged 60 or over and 16 and under can continue to swim for free in Wiltshire at any council-run leisure centre for this period.

The Government recently announced its funding for free swimming would stop on July 31.

The previous Government introduced the swimming initiative and NHS Wiltshire provided additional funding to support the free swimming sessions and lessons.

The council will review the future funding commitment as part of its budget setting process in the autumn.

Stuart Wheeler, cabinet member for leisure, said: I’m really pleased we can carry on providing free swimming across the county during the summer holidays. Our excellent partnership working with NHS Wiltshire has resulted in us tackling a range of health related issues including getting more people, more active, more often.”

Maggie Rae, joint director for public health, said: I am delighted that NHS Wiltshire can fulfil its financial commitment to this valuable scheme and that Wiltshire Council can use this funding to continue free swimming sessions until the end of September, benefiting many young and older people in our communities.”

http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/latestnews.htm?aid=105521

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Trowbridge mum’s Facebook fight to save free swim sessions

Trowbridge mum Jolene Powell has set up a Facebook group in protest against central government abolishing free swimming for children and the over 60s.

The 33-year-old was annoyed when she found out that free swimming sessions for youngsters and over 60s were being abolished at the end of this week.

She said: “I think free swimming should be kept as the government is encouraging us to keep fit but how can we do that if they keep making cuts?

“My kids love swimming and it is something we like to do as a family. My 15-year-old son is very reluctant to leave the computer but the one thing he will do is swimming.

“It’s an extra cost for families and we have been three times this week already.”

Since she set up the Save Our Free Swimming page earlier this week, it has been announced that free swimming is being extended until autumn.

However, Miss Powell thinks that free swimming should be kept after that and central government cuts made elsewhere.

“They could even offer half price swimming to children and over 60s,” she said. “I will be keeping the Facebook page up as I think they should scrap these plans to get rid of free swimming.”

The cost of free swimming across Wiltshire is £300,000 annually. Many councils have stopped the free sessions, but Wiltshire will continue to run the scheme over the summer, after NHS Wiltshire stepped in to help with the cost.

Council leader Jane Scott: "What we want to do now is to get information to see who is using the scheme."

http://www.wiltshiretimes.co.uk/news/8302945.Trowbridge_mum___s_Facebook_fight_to_save_free_swim_sessions/