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It was at Ipswich's magnificent Broomhill Pool that Mike trained and prepared for his record breaking accomplishments and hence his desire to see the popular facility reinstated.

Influential heritage society praises "far sighted" Borough Executive over Broomhill.

Following Ipswich Borough Council‘s Executive Committee “green light” for an interested, proven operator to work towards the re-opening of Broomhill lido, The Twentieth Century Society has publically praised the Administration.

Senior Case worker, Dr Christina Malathouni applauded the Borough on a "highly commendable, very brave and far-sighted decision in the current difficult times".

The Council also renewed their pledge to give £1 million to the project, which will, they hope, help to attract other funding. The operator, which has expressed a strong interest in restoring the pool and changing rooms and building a new fitness suite on the site, will now be asked to develop detailed plans for the £5 million project - which will also need Heritage Lottery Funding in order to succeed.

The Twentieth Century further states that "it has always been a great pleasure for the Society to support this great cause [reviving Broomhill Pool], and we remain committed to it, but the full credit goes to Broomhill Pool Trust. Our congratulations to them for this great result and for their incredibly hard work on this project for many years. There is of course still a lot more to be done at Broomhill, but this latest news gives us confidence that both BPT and IBC will see this through and deliver a restored lido to the people of Ipswich!"

"The Twentieth Century Society exists to safeguard the heritage of architecture and design in Britain from 1914 onwards. The Society’s prime objectives are conservation, to protect the buildings and design that characterise the Twentieth Century in Britain, and education, to extend our knowledge and appreciation of them, whether iconic buildings like the Royal Festival Hall or everyday artefacts like the red telephone box".

Ipswich Evening Star reports: "Broomhill gets a lifeline as restoration backed by the Borough".

The public may observe this meeting and so the Trust and Broomhill supporters may attend to observe only (and show their respectful support for Option1). Please arrive before 5:45pm

The Borough Executive has five options on the table; including demolition and change of usage (studies show that these would cost far more than the £1m currently budgeted by IBC and deliver little benefit for taxpayers).

However, also of concern to the Trust is option 2 which would see a developer look to de-list the site (challenge and overturn Grade 2 status), reduce the pool length from 55 yards to 25 metres, demolish the grand stand, and build housing on the pool car park (which is part of Broomhill Park’s attractive open frontage). We believe that the neighbouring Westbourne Library building (which is in essence the pool’s twin building & built by same Borough Engineer) is threatened by this option as it would look to move the library service into the revamped pool site.

In simple terms option 2 currently shows 10 houses to be built to fund the scheme, so as a rough estimate selling at £150k each they would only raise £1.5m less the costs to build (est. £500k). Even if the scheme found an operator to pay some rent there still isn’t anywhere near enough funds to cover the estimated £4m cost to develop the pool site. The money has to come from somewhere, and we believe it will be from further housing on the Library and Library car park site. Along with the clear cultural and heritage damage, this “Frankenstein” scheme has NO operator in line (and they are unlikely to find one without any parking at all left at the site). The whole option 2 scheme relies heavily on revenues from housing in a very depressed housing market.

The Trust fully backs option 1 which is our preferred operator's scheme which intends to fully and sympathetically restore the pool to its original 1938 condition. We find it hard to fathom that IBC would not back this option which is politically a “no lose” scenario for them. The Operator has an unrivalled track record in fundraising for exactly these projects; and they are the foremost operator in the country for lidos. In simple terms if they fail to raise necessary third party funding then IBC & local taxpayers lose nothing (the £1m promised and budgeted by IBC is simply returned); but if they succeed then IBC & taxpayers get a £5m fully restored grade II listed lido for just £1m of taxpayer money. You simply won’t get a better deal than that in times of austerity.

The Trust took out full page adverts in the East Anglia Daily Times and Ipswich Evening Star on 9/10 November to bring to the public’s attention the five options being considered by IBC, plus our total backing for our preferred operator's option. We hope that the IBC Executive will let common sense prevail to choose Option 1, to keep their manifesto promise on the budgeted £1m, and to work closely with our preferred operator to give this scheme every chance to succeed.

Please Email to IBC Executive members the following statement; and forward to & ask all supporters and friends of the pool to do the same ! Cut and paste the following message; or send your own thoughts; and send to the IBC Executive Committee members below:

Dear IBC Executive members, The future of Broomhill Pool is likely to be determined at the next IBC Executive meeting on Tuesday 22 November 2011. I support Broomhill Pool and believe that it is an important asset for the town.

I support OPTION 1 (Fusion Lifestyle’s bid) as it represents an exceptional opportunity for IBC & Taxpayers for a multi-million £ scheme, led by an outstanding not-for-profit trust; restoring Broomhill Pool to its former glory, plus a state of the art fitness centre for North West Ipswich. I believe the cost to mothball, demolish, change use are likely to cost taxpayers just as much ! Additionally, the pool is built on parkland, so there is NO commercial value (only extra costs) for IBC or taxpayers to demolish and clear the facility.

Options 2, 3, 4 & 5 will cost taxpayers in excess of the £1m currently approved and guaranteed by IBC (as per findings of the 2006 Feasibility Study & 2009 All Options Appraisal). There is also a significant risk that the pool car park will have to be developed for housing to offset higher rebuild costs. Such a scheme is unlikely to attract a top operator, will destroy Broomhill Park’s open environment and could lead to greater transport and parking issues.

Third party funding is less likely because these options are likely to fail to meet listing consent. I therefore call upon IBC Executives to do the right thing and choose OPTION 1 (Fusion Lifestyle’s bid) putting the £1m budgeted guarantee to optimum use. I urge you to secure this bid as it would represent an outstanding return for the people of Ipswich, plus outsourcing of operational costs and liabilities to a leading operator.

The last decade has been a momentous and worthwhile journey, requiring great teamwork and a strong legacy to “carry the baton”. In October 2010, our much respected Chairman, Mike Cook, stepped down after 6 years. Mike continues to play a key role in the Trust and has been a great support to me, since my election.

The Trust has always been aware that empty protesting (particularly now in times of austerity) was never enough to save our lido. So, during the last decade we have invested our supporter’s funds carefully; securing indisputable and supporting evidence to confirm the pool’s viability. We have also built up a loyal network of professional and qualified committee members - and associates - to validate and present our argumentation. In 2010-11, we were fortunate to welcome three new committee members, offering expertise in local government and charitable management.

Across 2011 the Trust has retained its high profile, and has revelled in its evolving role as a “community partner”. In February, 2011, the Trust helped to establish the Friends of Westbourne Library (FWL). Our youth officer, Garath Jones, was elected Chairman of the Friends of FWL, and I, myself, have represented Westbourne Library trying to help shape the Ipswich Library Managers pilot scheme. The Trust & FWL held the first “Broomhill Fete” in July, which brought together the whole community (plus many delighted senior citizens at Sherrington House !). We also welcomed 200+ Westbourne High students to visit the pool in November 2010; and have engaged & supported their excellent “School of Samba”.

We’ve worked hard to enhance our community - by continuing the excellent “Community Payback” works; to clean, tidy and remove graffiti at the pool; and to assist the FWL in giving the library a much needed makeover. We extend our sincere thanks to Suffolk Probationary Services and FWL, but particularly the payback workers themselves. They have not only cleaned up the pool, but enhanced the whole area. We must also thank our local MP, Dr Daniel Poulter, for his unswerving support and assistance for both the Trust & FWL.

The political landscape changed dramatically in 2010-2011. Following a Conservative-Lib Dem national coalition at Westminster in 2010, the roles were reversed in Ipswich local elections in May 2011, with Labour forming a new administration at Ipswich Borough Council. The Trust remains neutral throughout, and tries at all times to retain positive and professional relations with all.

All the major Ipswich party leaders were lobbied prior to the election, and we will continue to do so. The Trust would like to publicly thank Cllrs Andrew Cann & Elizabeth Harsant and their teams for including restoration of Broomhill Pool in IBC’s 2010 Cultural Strategy; agreeing to formally budget the £1m IBC commitment; and for authorising the revised “Expression of Interest” to attract an operator. We would also thank Cllr David Ellesmere and his team for their 2011 manifesto pledge: “Working with the Broomhill Trust & interested parties to reopen Broomhill Pool”. In fact this was the first listed, intended action for recreation in the town by the Ipswich Labour group.

The Trust is in excellent organisational & financial shape. We have completed a 5 year business plan that maps out our future direction - and plan of action - in both eventualities: a) our strategy and objectives if IBC/Operator agreement succeeds; and b) our strategy and objectives if IBC/Operator agreement fails.

The Trust has also completed provisional business plans to advocate options for an operator to 1) retain a high diving stage; and 2) reintroduce heated water - a restored pool. Note: Wicksteed stage would not meet current H&S, and Broomhill’s boilers removed 1941.

We have also worked on an integrated Parking & Transportation action plan to manage and mitigate any negative impact on a reinstated lido. We aim to work closely with our preferred operator to ensure that this key issue is well planned and addressed from the outset; to ensure minimal disruption for local residents, and equally to ensure that public transport, bicycles and walking are maximised.

Finally, the pool’s future now clearly lies with the new administration at IBC. In early September 2011 we met with senior officers and the new leaders of the Borough. The Trust was asked to formally confirm our preference of the Borough’s five possible options for Broomhill Pool, vis-à-vis:

The Trust has formally confirmed that we continue to strongly support our preferred operator’s option. We also provided IBC leaders and officers with a summary of supporting economic and political benefits, which demonstrates that this scheme is the best option - not only for the Trust - but in the clear interest of taxpayers, voters, the administration and the Borough. In fact, all options carry a similar cost to taxpayers (approx £1m), yet - in a time of austerity - only our preferred operator scheme would deliver a positive return and tangible benefits for local taxpayers.

We believe that all the facts (from the 2006 Feasibility Study & 2009 All Options Appraisal) strongly concluded that our preferred bidder’s scheme to restore and operate Broomhill Pool would resolve a difficult and costly problem for the Borough; as well as providing an asset to the people of Ipswich. The option is financially viable and would solve the complex capital and legal problems associated with the facility.

The Trust has respectfully appealed to the administration and officers of Ipswich Borough Council to seize this outstanding opportunity and to reach an agreement with our preferred operator; to provide them with the very best prospect to secure the pool’s future.

The Broomhill Pool Trust is delighted to announce our first ever fundraising dinner.

£25 per head (with £10 proceeds from each sold ticket directly to the Broomhill Pool Trust),

includes an excellent three course set meal, tea & coffee, light music, raffle and an after dinner speaker.

(a choice of):
starter: seasonal vegetarian terrine; or fish terrine
Main: butternut squash and sage risotto; or beef bourginion
dessert:sticky toffee pudding; or selection of gourmet cheeses and crackers with fruit; or fresh fruit salad
Tea & coffee.

DETAILS
Attire - smart casual.
Group or table requests can be accomodated.
For tickets, please email enquiries@arlingtonsbrasserie.co.uk or call on 01473 230293

Broomhill Pool to feature in Dave Kindred's latest book on Ipswich "A cetury of change for better for worse". £19.95 avaiable from local book stores from 22 October.

The Broomhill Pool Trust is delighted to announce our first ever fundraising dinner.

£25 per head (with £10 proceeds from each sold ticket directly to the Broomhill Pool Trust),

includes an excellent three course set meal, tea & coffee, light music, raffle and an after dinner speaker.

The Friends of Westbourne Library (FWL) & Broomhill Pool Trust (BPT) have been busy enhancing two of the town's valued but endangered assets.

The Friends of Westbourne Library has just completed a project to repaint Westbourne Library. The “make over” (see photo) was carried out at no cost to taxpayers, using materials purchased with funds raised from the recent FWL & BPT "Broomhill fete". All unsightly graffiti has been removed, and the Library has been restored to its original white. The library and pool were both built simultaneously in 1938. The library is believed to be the only former WW2 decontamination unit in the country being used as a public library (converted in 1948).

The Friends of Westbourne Library are playing a key role, working very hard behind the scenes to find, and shape, a long term solution to save all Ipswich Libraries.

Garath Jones has been working with (Suffolk Probationary Services) “Community Payback” team for this years clean up of Grade II listed Broomhill Pool. BPT member, and FWL Chairman, Garath, is a trained horticulturalist, and has given his skills & time freely to specifically revamp the front entrance borders. Garath has redesigned the borders with a Mediterranean feel, using white chippings and natural grasses. The borders are visible from the roadside so the pleasing result makes a positive difference to the local area. Community Payback teams have been working hard throughout the spring & summer to tidy the pool grounds, repaint the buildings and to clear litter. Community Payback works are arranged by the Trust with virtually no cost to local taxpayers. All materials were paid for by the Trust from its campaign funds.

1) HERITAGE OPEN DAYS - BROOMHILL POOL
BROOMHILL POOL TRUST - 2011 EVENTS
SATURDAY 10 SEPTEMBER and SUNDAY 11 SEPTEMBER (10am-5pm).
HERITAGE OPEN DAYS - BROOMHILL POOL

Those two magical days when [safe areas of] the facility is open to the public for heritage viewing. Come and see what we have all been missing. Learn more about the rich history of Broomhill, the benefits it can still bring to the community and the fight to save it.

2a)Thanks to Paul Bailey for his historic photo of Broomhill (circa 1985?) showing front entrance (with windows un-boarded), plus a very tidy car park, and original cycle racks. Anyone remember using the cycle racks as a cricket court ?

2b) Thanks to Film Director, James Sharpe for 9 new images of the facility today.

3) The Trust has also been contacted by one of the two girls sunbathing at a packed Broomhill (circa 1998) in Paul Nixon's iconic shot for the Evening Star ! This photo is on our main webpage. We are hoping that we may be able to re-act and update the shot for Heritage open day.

An ongoing annual maintenance plan to keep the Broomhill Pool site clean, tidy and graffiti free has been agreed between The Broomhill Pool Trust, Ipswich Borough Council and Suffolk Probationary Services.

“You can see for yourselves how good the facility is looking and what it could deliver for Ipswich ! This represents an excellent example of Community Payback. The workers have delivered a terrific civic benefit by cleaning up a much loved, Grade II listed public building; and enhancing the local area”.

“The payback teams also succeeded in making the pool presentable for "would-be operators", allowing them to see that the lido has true potential. We are hopeful that there will be positive news from IBC and operator negotiations very shortly”

The Broomhill Pool Trust is delighted to unveil a brand new campaign image for Broomhill Pool.

Nicki Porter, an ex UCS mature student, was chosen to create a fresh design to reflect the grade II listed lido.

“Nicki has really captured what Broomhill Pool was - and what it can be again!”

“Nicki has retrained and now works as a freelance graphic designer at www.mrspcreative.co.uk/. The Trust likes to support local talents and businesses, and we are also trying to forge links with UCS because we believe their students will have much to gain from Broomhill Pool re-opening.

“Nicki’s design perfectly pans the generations and styles; reflecting part art-deco when the lido was created; part 1960’s Beatles artwork; plus a crisp modern update showing how stunning the restored Broomhill can be today”

“The new image is unveiled at a most critical time in the pool’s future. Ipswich Borough Council officers have been in negotiations with interested operators for the pool. The officers are due to make their recommendations to the new IBC executive hopefully in July"

£5.00 on the door, in aid of the Broomhill Pool Trust.
BBQ & drinks on sale throughout the day.

Broomhill Pool Trust President, Mike Read, has been formally inducted to the International Swimming Hall of Fame. At a prestigious ceremony in Miami on 5th May, Mike received his award from Micki King, US gold medal diver, 1972.

Mike shared the platform with 15 Olympic Gold medallists, and with H S H Prince Albert II of Monaco, the recipient of the Hall's Gold Medal for 2011. Open Water swimmer, Michael Read, represents Great Britain, having held the Channel Swimming Association title of “King of the English Channel” for 26 years !

As a further civic honour to celebrate Mike's achievement, he will be a guest of the Mayor of Ipswich later this month.

Mike joins other illustrious British swimmers, including (FINA Masters World Record Holder) Jane Asher, and (Olympic Champions) Adrian Moorhouse and David Wilkie.

It was at Ipswich’s magnificent Broomhill Pool that Mike trained and prepared for his record breaking accomplishments and hence his desire to see the popular facility reinstated.

The Trust would like to congratulate our secretary, Tom Wilmot, for completing a 837 mile sponsored bike ride from Landsend to John OGroats. Tom has raised £250 for Trust campaigning funds.

You can see footage of Tom's epic journey across England, Wales and Scotland at the youtube link below. Tom's journey included views of the incredible Jubilee Lido at Penzance, crossing the Severn bridge, and sampling all the local delicassies. Copious amounts of local cheeses were consumed so, despite some vivid dreams, we are assured Tom did not make the whole trip up !!

Adventurous Westbourne High School Teacher, Tom Wilmott, is going more than the extra mile to support Broomhill Pool, he is cycling 837 miles from Landsend to John OGraots to raise funds for the Trust !

"I am cycling from one end of the country to the other, with a swim at each end to raise money for the Broomhill Pool Trust".

"I will be be setting out on Saturday 9th April, and with a decent southwesterly wind and some glorious sunshine I should be taking a dip at John O’Groats on the 22nd".

"It is a crucial time for the Broomhill Pool Trust as they work with potential operators and the council to ensure that Suffolk, Norfolk & Essex’s only Olympic length lido is resurrected as the much loved and inspirational facility it once was".

"Any donations will be gratefully received and will be a big help to the Trust in their valuable work".

Labour has produced a 10 page manifesto for the Borough Council campaign. Broomhill Pool is the first mentioned in their list of intended actions for leisure in the town:

A Labour council would maintain and improve sport and leisure services and make sure they are available to all Ipswich residents.

The Conservatives and Liberal Democrats have presided over the steady decline of cultural and leisure services in Ipswich. A volunteer group had to step in to run the Film Theatre after the council closed it. The Corn Exchange is closed for part of the year. Landseer Play Centre is in a state of limbo. Broomhill Pool is still closed. The council is now looking to offload many of its sports and leisure facilities with seemingly little regard for how this will affect Ipswich residents.
What Labour Will Do

* We will work with the Broomhill Trust and interested parties to re-open Broomhill Pool.
....

The single A4 PDF newsletter provides latest news on Broomhill Pool operator bids, the fight for Westbourne Library, Trust 2011 events and Membership.

Welcome to a new and exciting era for Broomhill pool. We are inviting YOU to play your part in securing our lido’s future, whilst adding your name in the history of the pool by becoming a member of “In the swim”, a friend of Broomhill Pool!

THREE companies have expressed an interest in re-opening and managing a restored Broomhill swimming pool.

The lido was closed in 2002 by Ipswich Borough Council, after being seemed unsafe to open and too expensive to restore.However, the bids could mean that a brighter future is on the horizon for the iconic site.

Councillor Andrew Cann, Culture portfolio-holder, said: “We are encouraged by the increase in interest we received by the closing date of 26th January and now we go on to the next stage of the process.

“All three expressions of interest include retaining a pool on the site and now we are looking for more detailed proposals, including funding and sustainability.

The borough council has formally pledged £1 million to help the project bring Broomhill back to life and is working closely with the Broomhill Trust.

The Broomhill Pool Trust has warmly welcomed the news that IBC has received expressions of interest to restore & operate the grade II listed lido.

Broomhill Pool Trust Chairman, Mark Ling, said "The pool is built within Broomhill Park and the land is assigned for leisure and recreational use only. The Trust has always reasoned therefore, that it is better for local taxpayers to invest £1m supporting a skilled operator to deliver a multimillion pound, year-round asset for the town, than it would to spend the same amount to mothball or demolish the pool.

"We hope that IBC will be true to their word, that the lido be retained within the facility and that the £1m capital commitment is budgeted, allowing parties to expediently reach an agreement".

The Broomhill Pool Trust is delighted to release a short film montage by Ipswich born film director, James Sharpe.

The 3 minute documentary is narrated by channel swimming legend Mike Read, and was recorded by Ian Benfield. The short film contains new photographs of Ipswich's grade II listed lido.

Ipswich Borough Council is in the process of consulting residents and stakeholders regarding a new Cultural Strategy for Ipswich. This strategy sets out how Ipswich Borough Council will focus on six key objectives to further improve the town’s cultural assets while facilitating the development of others.

This is an excellent chance for you to strongly encourage the council to prioritise [under Question 7, Item 5]: “capital support to assist a partner(s) to lead and operate a restored Broomhill lido”.

The Broomhill Pool Trust is not only a resolute supporter of our lido we are equally proud of our home town. We would therefore encourage all our supporters to have their input and influence on the town’s cultural strategy. Thank You.

The Broomhill Pool Trust would like to thank all those who viewed and voted on Broomhill Pool’s entry on Suffolk Icons website.

Our page received over 2000 views, making it the second most popular viewed icon in Suffolk. The grade II listed lido was in fact the No.1 most viewed entry for a Suffolk building on the website!

A reminder that supporters can watch exquisite 1947 footage of 10 metre high diving at Broomhill Pool, featuring 1936 Olympian Betty Slade:

IPSWICH: They are the lost generation – the youngsters who have never known the joys of swimming in one of the town’s most treasured secret venues.

An expanded arts festival, more blockbuster events and the completion of a £4 million investment in swimming are all highlighted in Ipswich's new Cultural Strategy.

The strategy, which will be taken to the Borough Council's ruling Executive next week to approve consultation with key stakeholders and the wider community by Culture portfolio-holder Andrew Cann, outlines the delivery of key arts and sports goals.

- Completing the £3.4 million investment programme at Crown Pools next year - this follows a £600,000 refurbishment at Fore Street;

- Formally pledging £1 million to help the project aiming to bring life back to Broomhill lido;

- Developing the £600,000 fund-raising appeal to buy the former Ipswich Art School for use as a permanent contemporary arts space;

- Applying for Lottery and other funding to develop an 'arts quarter' around the Art School and Ipswich Museum;

- Aspire to make Gainsborough sports centre a state-of-the-art sports village;
Review operations at Maidenhall Sports centre (owned by Suffolk County Council) in order to cut operating costs.

Councillor Cann said: "This is a very exciting long-term blueprint for culture and leisure in Ipswich. Yes, we do face enormous financial pressures and we must cut costs but this Council has an incredibly successful record when it comes to doing more for less in both culture and sport. We will continue to work with private sector partners and others to deliver an enhanced programme.

"We are very excited by our events programme; we are pleased with the improved programming - and audiences - at the Ipswich Regent; we are committed to keeping the Grand Hall in the Corn Exchange for entertainment; we will complete our ambitious investment into swimming and we will enhance our key sports centres when and where funding allows.

"Of course, we have to cut operating costs, and Maidenhall is by far the least used and most 'old fashioned' sports centre in the town. We operate this for the owner, Suffolk County Council, but this costs the council taxpayer a lot of money. The past few years has seen the development of many more sports facilities in the town - Chantry Sports Centre, Suffolk One and the new arena at Suffolk New College - so we must recognise this changing landscape."

Councillor Cann added: "But with our Olympics partnership with Azerbaijan, our commitment to sporting excellence and our leading role in regional arts and culture, we will move forward with what is a very exciting programme."

The Cultural Strategy will be discussed by Executive on 14th December and it is hoped a consultation exercise will then commence and continue until 31st January 2011.

IBC ADVERTISES FOR OPERATOR TO REPAIR AND RUN BROOMHILL POOL (with potential £1M capital funding, subject t&c)

Details below of IBC's filing with OJEU and advertising on Lesiureopportunities.com

Invitations for Expressions of Interest (subject to contract) - Broomhill Outdoor Pool
Ipswich

Ipswich Borough Council (the “Council”) is seeking Expressions of Interest from suitably experienced parties wishing to work up detailed proposals to repair, refurbish and operate this redundant outdoor swimming pool. The facility was built in 1938 and is a Grade II listed building. The site is owned by the Council and includes a car park.

Planning conditions are likely to limit further re-development potential to ancillary recreational and leisure activities.

The Council may provide up to a maximum of £1 million of capital funding that may be available from 2013/14. The capital contribution from the Council will be conditional upon:

• confirmation of sufficient third party capital funding to allow the redevelopment to be completed.
• no further capital, revenue or other form of financial guarantee or underwriting being required from the Council.
• the pool being open to the public for swimming.

To register your interest and receive an information pack please contact:
Simon Unthank, Ipswich Borough Council -
t: 01473 432212 e: simon.unthank@ipswich.gov.uk

The closing date for receipt of Expressions of Interest is noon on 26 January 2011.

The Broomhill Pool Trust is delighted to report that our President, Mike Read, has been inducted into the prestigious “International Swimming Hall of Fame” (ISHOF).

The “Honouree Induction Class of 2011” consists of eight of the greatest names in aquatic history. Open Water swimmer, Michael Read, represents Great Britain, having held the title of “King of the English Channel” for 26 years !

Mike joins other illustrious British swimmers, including (FINA Masters World Record Holder) Jane Asher, and (Olympic Champions) Adrian Moorhouse and David Wilkie.

It was at Ipswich’s magnificent Broomhill Pool that Mike trained and prepared for his record breaking accomplishments and hence his desire to see the popular facility reinstated.

The Broomhill Pool Trust is extremely grateful to the outstanding local aerial photographer, Mike Page. With his permission we are delighted to publish two, new, awesome aerial photos of Broomhill Pool and surrounding area.

Mike Cook has announced his decision to step down as Broomhill Pool Trust Chairman. Dr Cook has led the Trust since its formation as "Friends of Broomhill Pool" in 2002, becoming a registered charity and "The Broomhill Pool Trust" in 2003.

Under Mike's seven year leadership the Trust has vociferously campaigned for the reinstatement of the grade II listed lido. The Trust secured Manifesto pledges for a £1m grant in 2004, project managed the 2006 £67,000 Feasibility Study, worked with IBC on the 2009 "All Options Appraisal" and has just lobbied for IBC to reinstate the £1m pledge aimed at attracting a not for profit operator to secure the pool's future in 2011.

Dr Cook is a true Ipswichian, a member of "The Ipswich Society", with a genuine passion for the town. He will continue as a highly valued committee member of the Trust.

The Trust's Press Officer, Mark Ling, was elected as Chairman at last night's annual general meeting.

CASH OFFER WOULD BOOST BROOMHILL BID

Ipswich Borough Council is set to reinstate a £1 million lifeline to breathe new life into the bid to resurrect the disused lido.

Councillor Andrew Cann, Culture & Sport portfolio-holder, is to ask Executive to provide the money to the successful private bidder aiming to re-open the pool as a swimming and leisure complex.

Discussions will take place with potential bidders over the next few months, with the aim of agreeing a partner in the new year.

“This is good news for everyone,” said Councillor Cann. “We know any bidder will have to seek Heritage Lottery funding; this grant would give them a better chance of securing that. At least we have a fighting chance of securing a future for the pool.”

Councillor Cann accepted that there would be a delay. “But it will be worth it. My colleagues and I see this as a positive step forward - one that will be supported by the Trust and many local people.”

As to the future funding of the pool, he stressed: “There is no question that the Council will pay for the running of Broomhill if it does re-open. “We are making very clear that any future operator will have to make it work. The £1 million would be a major sign of our continuing support to the campaign but we would not agree to underwrite the project or pick up any debts incurred if things don’t succeed.”

The Broomhill Pool Trust has warmly welcomed IBC’s decision. Trust Spokesman Mark Ling said "The Trust has always reasoned that it is better for local taxpayers to invest £1m supporting an operator deliver a multimillion £ asset than it would to spend a similar amout to mothball or demolish the pool. We hope that an operator will come back to the table and that all parties will work together expediently to reach a deal. It’s a bit like being in the 6th round of the FA Cup, we have a good chance of success, but there is still a long way to go".

Please Email to IBC Executive members the following statement; and forward to & ask all supporters and friends of the pool to do the same !

Cut and paste the following message; or send your own thoughts; and send to the IBC Executive Committee members below:

The future of Broomhill Pool is likely to be determined at the next IBC Executive meeting on Tuesday 21 September 2010.

1) I support Broomhill Pool and believe it is an important and valued asset for the town.

2) I believe that the Fusion Lifestyle bid represents an exceptional opportunity for IBC & Taxpayers for a multi-million £ scheme, led by an outstanding not-for-profit trust; restoring Broomhill Pool to its former glory, plus a state of the art fitness centre for North West Ipswich.

3) I believe the cost to mothball Broomhill Pool for another decade is likely to cost taxpayers just as much ! Additionally, the pool is built on parkland, so there is NO commercial value (only extra costs) for IBC or taxpayers to demolish and clear the facility.

4) I therefore call upon IBC Executives to restore the original £1m capital guarantee and secure this bid as it would represent an outstanding return for the people of Ipswich, plus outsourcing of operational costs and liabilities to a leading operator.

Three years ago, Ipswich Borough Council's full council agreed to and budgeted for a one off – grant of £1M towards restoration of Broomhill Pool. This guarantee was to be reviewed in December 2009.

In May 2009 we discussed with the Council the idea of outsourcing Ipswich Grade II listed lido to an independent operator. By August, Ipswich Borough Council had agreed and an advertisement for expressions of interest was placed in the appropriate trade journals. We were told that no less than sixteen expressions of interest were received. However, ultimately, only two have proved serious. One is from a highly regarded, not-for-profit, leisure trust that operates many centres including lidos; they do not lose money.

We are lead to believe that the operator’s proposals are for a £5m scheme to fully restore the pool and add a health club/gym all the year round. The operator would probably invest £1m, £1m must come from IBC, forming the basis for “match funding” with about £3m from grants. The operator would likely take full operational responsibility and liability for the facility. Clearly, without IBCs £1m, this scheme cannot proceed.

We know nothing about the other bid. The council insist that commercial confidentiality precludes any information release.

Bids were supposed to be received by last November; this was postponed until February 2010 . Meanwhile, at its last meeting in December 2009, the Executive Committee of the Council tactically withdrew the £1m guarantee on the grounds of the current austerity situation.

The elections, local and general and a change of Council portfolio holder, has further delayed a decision. Now, they are awaiting the outcome of the Governments' Departmental Spending review, expected in early October. It is not likely that it will bring good news. Currently no officer or Councillor will discuss the bid status with us.

The Trust believes that local taxpayers would support the promised £1m capital funding knowing that an outstanding operator was willing to deliver the scheme. This would be an extremely cost effective solution to deliver an outstanding local facility.

Note: Please come and see the Pool and meet us at Heritage Open Days this Saturday and Sunday, 11th and 12th September.

Ipswich's magnificent Grade II listed Broomhill Pool features in "British Listed Buildings", an online database of buildings and structures that are listed as being of special architectural and historic interest.

As well as reading Broomhill Pool's official listing data, you can also view the location on a map, and, where possible, see it in Google Streetview and Bing Birds Eye View. You can also add your own comments, information and photos and view comments and photos submitted by other users of the site.

The Trust is also delighted that the pool is the most viewed "Suffolk Icon" (760+ views to date) on the prestigious Choose Suffolk website. http://www.suffolkicons.com/icon.asp?id=111

Broomhill Pool is currently No.1 viewed Suffolk Icon on the Choose Suffolk website.
You can see the entry for the lido at http://www.suffolkicons.com/

We are also delighted to advise that Broomhill Swimming Pool is currently the most viewed Icon on the Choose Suffolk "Suffolk Icons" webpage.

You can view the pool's Icon and learn why we believe that Grade II listed, Broomhill Pool fully deserves to be considered as one of Suffolk's finest assets. http://www.suffolkicons.com/icon.asp?id=111

Broomhill Pool has been added to the ChooseSuffolk.com Website as a true "Suffolk Icon".

LISTED Theatre dives into the deep end, premiering Listed Lido at Crown Pools, Ipswich. Water is the main character in Listed Lido, and this site-specific piece is performed in and around the water. For the last six months, LISTED have been gathering memories from local people about outdoor pools all around the country - including Ipswich's Broomhill Pool.

These memories are the inspiration for Listed Lido, a true story set in a real pool. The LISTED Theatre Company slip into swimsuits from all eras to tell the watery story of lidos through the ages in Britain.

Date: 03 July 2010 and 10 July 2010 *
Time: 7.30pm (doors open 7pm)
Venue: Crown Pools
Tickets: BOX OFFICE 01473 433100; or online https://online.ipswich.gov.uk/PEO/
Category: Performing Arts

* Note: World Cup football. The Trust recommends that non-football fans can "get away from it all" by attending the 3 July date (as this is world cup quarter final date). For England football fans, relax and unwind at the 10 July performance - the 10th is "third place play-off" day (which in football terms let's face it, is a non-event).

The Trust is encouraged that a leading not-for-profit operator - with unrivalled experience in restoring an operating lidos - has stepped forward with a multi-million pound scheme to restore the pool to its original condition (plus state of art fitness suite) as a major tourist attraction, and important public facility, for Ipswich.

A cost effective, sympathetic and deliverable solution has been found for Broomhill Pool. However, it is wholly dependant on Ipswich Borough Council playing their part. It will simply not be realistic, or possible, for the operator to secure “match” funding (from third party funders) unless funding bodies can see that the local council has taken an appropriate stake in the outcome.

The desired circumstances outlined for the Broomhill Pool Trust to secure IBC’s £1m Broomhill Pool pledge have been presented. With IBC's contribution, along with the operator’s own investment, there would be a sufficient basis for third party funders to support. But, without IBC’s £1m pledge, then this fabulous opportunity will not only be lost, it is unlikely to ever present itself again.

It has, and continues, to cost Ipswich taxpayers in the region of £50k per year to keep Broomhill CLOSED. So, we believe that most will back IBC in meeting the operator’s wholly reasonable needs and fully support them in delivering an outstanding asset - and deal - for the town.

The Broomhill Pool Trust
www.savebroomhillpool.org

The Broomhill Pool Trust has published previously unseen photographs of the grade II listed lido. The four underwater shots are part of a collection owned by former head lifeguard John Carter.

Mr Carter, now living in New Zealand, says “I have been pleased to gift the Trust many of my personal photos of Broomhill taken in the 1995 & 1996 seasons. The pool was consistently attracting 40,000+ swimmers per season, and provided a significant social and recreational hub for the town. I recognise the work of the Trust and I'm very proud to support that end. Broomhill’s diving boards were a major attraction, but I think many may have forgotten that the size and depth of Broomhill is also perfect for sub-aqua, water polo, triathlon training, canoeing & dinghy sailing. I guess lots of us have fond memories of diving down into the 15ft pit, the excitement of looking up at the shadows of the boards above.”

Mark Ling of the Broomhill Pool Trust commented “Ipswich Borough Council has received a comprehensive bid from a leading operator. The recently withdrawn £1m pledge could still secure the future of the pool and deliver taxpayers with a terrific return on their investment. Otherwise, local taxpayers may unwittingly spend the same to let this wonderful facility rot !”

The new photos can be viewed on the Trust website www.savebroomhillpool.org, photo gallery tab; and "Using the Pool" folder.

Dr Daniel Poulter secures Central Suffolk & North Ipswich seat; emphasising commitment for Urban North Ipswich, and his support to save Broomhill Pool.

“My first job is to represent my constituency and my constituents, putting them first is my priority.” But he emphasised he will not be ignoring the urban part of his constituency. He has plans for two surgeries each month in north Ipswich.

“I am very aware that this is not just a rural constituency. I am looking to support the campaign to save Broomhill pool, also the issues surrounding Ipswich Hospital are something I am particularly interested in and are very high in my thoughts.”

The turnout in Central Suffolk and North Ipswich was 70.6% across the three local councils, Mid Suffolk District Council, Suffolk Coastal and Ipswich Borough. That is 4% up on the turnout recorded at the last general election in 2005.

Ahead of Ipswich Borough Council elections, and the General Election on 6 May, the Broomhill Pool Trust has attempted to survey prospective councillors & MPs to enable our 18,500+ supporters to make an informed electoral choice for Broomhill Pool on 6th May.

The Trust has endeavoured to reach all candidates. The survey was, however, conducted via email, and we accept that this is not foolproof. We apologise unreservedly, in advance, if we have missed out, or misrepresented, any candidate. Inevitably, some politicians were not able to provide a straight “yes” or “no”, so we have summarised their key statements regarding IBC’s [withdrawn] £1m pledge and the future of Broomhill Pool.

So, will your prospective councillors, MPs and parties secure Broomhill Pool’s future as a lido ?
We asked:

If it is required - to secure an operator willing to restore Broomhill Pool to its former glory as a public swimming facility (55 yard lido) - will you support the use of the £1m (originally pledged by IBC) towards the restoration ?

Chris Streatfield - UKIP – p.p.c Ipswich supports using the £1m; and has made saving Broomhill Pool his key local election issue.

Sally Wainman – Independent p.p.c Ipswich supports using the £1m; and has made saving Broomhill Pool her sole election issue.

Andrew Aalders-Dunthorne - Lib Dems – p.p.c Central Suffolk & North Ipswich supports using the £1m.

Several Lib-Dem prospective IBC Councillors support using the £1m. Senior Lib-Dems, Andrew Cann (Westgate Ward), Dr Tim Lockington (Westgate Ward), Inga Lockington (St Margarets); Jane Chambers (Alexandra Ward) all support using the £1m.

The Lib-Dems are currently coalition partners (with The Conservatives) on IBC Exec. However, current Lib-Dem councillors serving on the IBC executive have not responded.

No Labour Group member was allowed to individually respond to our survey. However, the Labour Group Secretary did provide a detailed statement on behalf of all prospective Labour MPS and IBC Councillors. Key extracts below:

“The fact that the £1million was withdrawn at a point when it looked like it might actually be needed has led some people to wonder whether the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats ever seriously intended to hand over the money… … Labour councillors have not been allowed to see the details of any of the Expressions of Interest submitted to the council…. For these reasons we do not believe it would be honest for us to commit IBC to spending £1m on a scheme until we know what the scheme is and whether the £1m exists. We do wish to see Broomhill reopen. But we would need to see the details of the Expressions of Interest and the effect on the council’s finances before committing the council to this level of expenditure”

Both Green Party prospective IBC Councillors, Barry Broom (Stoke Park Ward) & Rick Deeks (Bridge Ward) support using the £1m.

The Conservatives are currently lead-coalition partners (with the Lib Dems) on IBC Exec. Not one Conservative prospective IBC Councillor responded to our survey. 18,500+ Broomhill Pool supporters, and the people of Ipswich must draw their own conclusions.

However, Dr Daniel Poulter Conservative p.p.c for Central Suffolk & North Ipswich supports using the £1m. He has publically stated:
“the taxpayers of North Ipswich deserve a first rate community facility and pool at Broomhill. Ipswich council promised the money and they must now deliver.”

The Broomhill Pool Trust wishes all candidates our very best wishes for Election 2010. We look forward to working closely with both elected, and opposition parties, to achieve a successful reinstatement for the town’s magnificent grade II listed lido.
We believe Ipswich taxpayers would prefer to benefit from an iconic, outdoor 50+ metre swimming facility (and attraction for the town); rather than unwittingly spending the same to let Broomhill Pool rot!

The Outdoor Swimming Society (OSS) was founded in 2006. The nationally recognised, and highly influential Outdoor Swimming Society has published a report supporting the campaign to save Ipswich's endangered grade II listed lido.

Pool campaigner Sally Wainman will be standing to become the MP for Ipswich in the forthcoming general election on the single issue of saving Broomhill lido.

Sally has stood previously in six elections (both local and general) with the aim of keeping the pool's plight in the public view and encouraging action to save the grade II listed lido.

Sally and the Broomhill Pool Trust have continuously campaigned for the pool's reopening since its closure in 2002.

The next few months will be critical, as Ipswich Borough Council considers expressions of interest from parties looking to re-develop the site of the pool.

Among these is a high profile leisure trust with a first class track record in restoring pools - but the Council are unable to confirm whether the other developers intend to keep the site as a swimming pool or not.

An additional frustration for campaigners is the Council's recent withdrawal of a pledge of £1m towards the cost of restoring the pool.

The money was initially promised by councillors elected in 2004, but at the end of last year it was removed from the budget, just as expressions of interest were being received.

The £1m sum also proved controversial in 2008 when the Trust's application for a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund was rejected. The HLF found that the money was ‘unsecured' and that the council needed to show ‘greater commitment'.

The Council queried the building's listed status in 2001, and in 2008 were only stopped at the last minute from filling in the pool.

A representative for Ipswich Council said: '"The Council maintains its position of working with the Broomhill Pool Trust. We have received a number of expressions of interest over the pool's future and these will be properly evaluated in the coming months."

Surveys conducted by the Broomhill Pool Trust and by the Council itself have shown that restoration would be popular with Ipswich residents. The Trust estimates the cost of keeping the facility closed at £50k per year.

Sally said: "Ipswich Borough Council cannot expect an outside operator to bear the financial brunt of the council's decision to leave the pool needlessly derelict and neglected since the end of 2002."

The OSS fully supports Sally in her campaign and will be following events closely.

UKIP parliamentary candidate for Ipswich, Chris Streatfield, has made reopening Broomhill Pool a top local policy, if elected.

Independent candidate, Sally Wainman, stole the show at the Election Hustings on Monday evening. Sally is campaigning to save Broomhill Pool. Her camapign demands IBC to honour their £1m pledge, particularly as an operator has expressed interest in the facility.

"I thoroughly enjoyed my tour of Broomhill Pool earlier in the year. As you know, Sir Michael Lord MP has worked hard to support the Broomhill Trust and since my selection as his prospective successor, as you know I have been campainging to support the Broomhill Trust.

North Ipswich needs more community facilities. The re-opening of Broomhill Pool would provide an excellent community facility, gym and swimming pool to be used by the local community all year round. You have my continued and full support for re-opening Bromhill Pool and no matter which party wins control of Ipswich Council after May 6th, provided I am elected, I shall go into bat for Broomhill as the taxpayers of North Ipswich deserves a first rate community facility and pool at Broomhill. Ipswich council promised the money and they must now deliver.

The Broomhill Pool Trust recommends that taxpayers, like swimmers, should only take a plunge with their eyes open, and when fully aware of what lies beneath the water. On the surface, any decision to keep Broomhill Pool closed looks to be a cheap option. However, Ipswich taxpayers are blissfully unaware of the hidden costs, estimated at £400,000+, for Ipswich Borough Council to keep Broomhill CLOSED during the last 8 years. These ongoing costs, estimated at £50,000+ per year, relate to taxpayer's responsibilities for IBC administration, health & safety, security, maintenance, insurance, and management & officer time.

Broomhill Pool is Grade II listed, and is built within Broomhill Park. It is a legal obligation that IBC must ensure that the site is protected and maintained. So, continued “mothballing” would not only be a wasteful, slow death for a much needed asset. It is a decline likely to cost taxpayers a further £1m+ of costs, plus liability, over the next 10-20 years.

In 2009, a joint IBC & Broomhill Pool Trust project explored an “all options appraisal” for the site. This encouraged IBC to go out to the market for “Expressions of Interest”. From sixteen genuine responses, four have been selected by IBC to make bids by 31 March 2010.

As an example of what can be achieved, the Trust is aware that amongst the bids, is an operator who has submitted a cost effective scheme to restore Broomhill Pool to its former glory. This top-drawer, not-for-profit operator would take full operational responsibility for the facility, thus saving taxpayers £50k+ p.a. The operator has an unrivalled reputation, and proven track record, in successfully restoring and running historic lidos; combining them with modern (all year round) fitness facilities.

We believe that operators of this calibre should be taken seriously. If they are successful with their funding plans, then taxpayers would benefit from a restored, and improved, swimming facility worth several times the value of their outlay. In our view that’s taxpayers money used to greater effect and very well spent! That’s why we believe the IBC Executive must at least honour their manifesto pledges, and use to maximum effect the £1m guarantee (which they inexplicably retracted on 31-12-09).

It is absolutely vital that Ipswich has major cultural attractions, promoting health & heritage. The restored lido would tackle several other costly problems, such as obesity, swimming space and social cohesion. Taxpayers face a real choice; to benefit from an iconic, outdoor 50+ metre swimming facility; or to unwittingly spend the same to let it rot.

So, we invite taxpayers to join us, in appealing to IBC, to seize this genuine opportunity; to benefit the whole community and to secure real value for your hard earned council taxes!

Following Sir Michael Lord's retirement at the next election, Dr Daniel Pouter has been selected as parliamentary prospective candidate for the Conservative Party, in the North Ipswich & Central Suffolk seat.

Dr Poulter met with the Trust at Broomhill Pool on 4th February. Following that meeting, Dr Poulter has written to the leader of Ipswich Borough Council in support of the pool, and backing prompt action on operator bids to restore the facility as lido & fitness venue.

Broomhill Pool featured in Ipswich Flyer Magazine, March 2010 edition (pages 1 & 9):

There have been recent decisions which all Broomhill Pool’s supporters should know about.

At The Executive Committee Meeting of Ipswich Borough Council on Tuesday December 16th 2009, Cllr Terry presented a paper describing the Options available for the future of the Pool and supported Option 2 ("transfer of Broomhill Pool to an alternative provider").

The Chairman of The Trust, Mike Cook, was then invited to speak; he supported Option 2 pointing out some of the sporting and cultural attractions that would be made available at no future cost to the Council. However, he was concerned that the cancellation of the £1m pledge would encourage the idea that the Council was not supportive of the project. He said there would be no financial improvement to the Council’s balance sheet [by withdrawing the £1m] as the pledge would remain there [in IBC contingency fund] until April at least.

“118.1.Councillor Terry reported that following the receipt of 16 expressions of interest in support of Option 2, three companies had been requested to submit costed proposals by early February 2010.

118.2.Dr Cook spoke on behalf of the Broomhill Pool Trust and reported that the Trust were in support of Option 2, which provided the best opportunity for Broomhill Pool to be turned into a cultural attraction for Ipswich. He was concerned that the Council was not providing financial support in the commercial negotiations.

118.3.Councillor Terry reported that the advertisement for expressions of interest did not indicate that the Council would be providing funding, and that an application for funding could be made
to Executive in the future.

118.4.Councillor Terry thanked the Broomhill Pool Trust and the officers for all their hard work in preparing the options for Broomhill Pool.

118.5.A revised recommendation in support for Option 2 was tabled and agreed.
Resolved:

(i) Executive resolves to support pursuing Option 2, namely the transfer of Broomhill Pool to an alternative provider, and authorises the Head of Culture and Leisure Services to report back to the Portfolio Holders for Arts, Culture and Leisure and Finance the outcome of negotiations with potential providers,and further, that the Head of Culture and Leisure Services subsequently reports to Executive on any viable proposal – in the absence of a viable proposal, that the Head of Culture and
Leisure Services maintain the position as set out in Option 4 until further report;
Reason: The Council needs to make a decision based upon the leisure/cultural needs survey

(ii) that Executive note that the Borough Council offer of £1million to support the BHT efforts to refurbish the pool expires on 31st December 2009 and that any future application for support would be subject to the usual budget setting.”

The Broomhill Trust have had lengthy discussions of this outcome; generally members felt that the Council were giving it away without any financial pledges or guarantees. However, the Chairman remained 85% sure of a good outcome; he felt the Council knew that they would have to give some financial support at some time but they were not prepared to put their cards on the table at this time but would wait for commercial proposals.

At the present time, therefore, the function of the The Broomhill Pool Trust has changed.

If there were to be a successful commercial bid, the Trust would be an essential part of that - as a vital link to to ensure that a restored facility would integrate back into the community, a source of volunteer labour and as a fund raising group.

If there is not a satisfactory commercial outcome and IBC were to adopt Option 4 [mothballing] we would revert to a full campaigning mode.

IBC has received three expressionsof interest, and we believe that a large well run not-for-profit leisure trust are preparing a fully costed proposal to take over the Pool, restore it and then operate it for presentation to the Council in mid February.

Tooting Bec - the largest fresh water lido in England - featured on yesterdays Blue Peter (in a article on Zorbing):

Key times:
16 mins:40 secs feature on Zorbing starts
17 mins:30 secs filming from Tooting bec
20 mins:20 secs outline on lidos

The positive news is resolution 1 that IBC Exec will allow expressions of interest with operators to be fully explored.

The bad news is resolution 2 that IBC Exec has withdrawn their £1m manifesto pledge right at the most critical moment. Remember that both Conservatives and Lib-Dems were voted in with manifesto pledges to "work with the Trust on the future of Broomhill…to conduct a feasibility study into the future of the pool [managed by the Trust] …and if salvageable a pledge of £1,000,000 towards its restoration".

It now remains to be seen what will transpire "behind closed doors" - and within realms of a commercial negotiation - between borough and would-be operators.

(Tuesday 15th December 2009) the IBC Committee passed two recommendations from
the Officers and the BPT that :-

1. "That the Executive agrees to support Option 2, namely the transfer of Broomhill Pool to an alternative provider and authorises the Head of
Culture/Finance to report back to the Portfolio Holders for Culture and Leisure/Finance the outcome of negotiations with potential providers and,
further, that the Head of Culture and Leisure subsequently reports to Executive on any viable proposal. In the absence of a viable proposal, that the Head of Culture and Leisure maintain the position as set out in Option 4 until further report"

2. "That the Executive note that the Borough Council offer of £1 million to support the BPT efforts to refurbish the Pool expire on 31st December 2009 and that any future application for support would be subject to the usual budget setting procedures."

IPSWICH: Hopes rose today that Broomhill Pool could be open for business again in the summer of 2013.

Members of the borough's executive approved a proposal to hand over the lido to a private sector operator who would restore the pool and bring it back into use.

The move has the backing of the Broomhill Pool Trust - for whom Mike Cook said it could see the pool open again in three years' time.

The borough has short-listed three potential operators who are interested in taking over the pool, and will make a final decision on who will take it on in February next year.

If they decide that none of the potential operators have the financial stability to take on the work, the pool could be left in its current state until 2014 when its future would be re-examined.

Leisure spokeswoman Judy Terry said the £1 million dowry that had been on offer to attract an operator had not been renewed because of the financial problems facing all councils.

“However all three operators are aware of this before we go into talks with them about their proposals for the pool,” she added.

Mr Cook had asked the executive to extend the offer, but after the meeting remained confident that the long fight for the pool would have a positive outcome.

He said; “I'm 85 per cent confident a deal will be reached - we have spoken to one of the potential operators and they are very serious. This is good news for the pool.”

Would you use a reopened Broomhill pool? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk

Ahead of Tuesday’s key “all options” decision, the Broomhill Pool Trust, supporters of the Trust (some 18,500+), and enthusiasts of the lido in Ipswich and beyond, call upon Ipswich Borough Council Executive to do the right thing for this iconic 1930’s Grade II listed swimming facility. Quality operators are preparing their proposals for IBC’s 10th February 2010 deadline, so we respectfully appeal to the IBC Executive to:

1. Approve Option 2: Disposal of Broomhill Pool to a quality operator; to restore the pool as a swimming facility.
2. Fulfil manifesto pledges and continue your £1m guarantee, thus allowing Option 2 (and funding options) to be fully explored; and to encourage an operator to secure the facility’s future.
3. Commit fully to delivering a successful outcome for the facility.

The 2006 Feasibility Study and 2009 All Options Appraisal studies prove conclusively:-

o That there are clear expressions of interest from quality operators.
o That business plans in 2006 & 2009, professionally and independently prepared by leading consultants (with input from 22 similar situated outdoor pools and lidos), demonstrate that the facility can run without an operating loss.
o That the facility currently has no structural defects beyond repair.
o That it can be reinstated with just 9 months building work as a heated outdoor pool with enhanced community facilities providing benefits 12 months a year.
o That at a [2009] revised rebuild cost of just £3.6m (down from £4.2m), the project addresses an undersupply of water space in Ipswich - as highlighted in IBC’s Nov 2006 Swimming Needs Assessment (consultants: Torkildsen Barclay).
o That demolition would be both costly, and is highly unlikely. The facility is Grade II listed and is built within Broomhill Park (thus having no commercial resale value).
o That mothballing the facility will bring no benefit to the people of Ipswich; only continued health & safety and management costs. It would represent a wasteful use of a much needed public facility. The site would slip into further disrepair, increasing future refurbishment costs, and leave taxpayers with a much bigger bill for tomorrow.

Anglia TV's news report covering 1947 rare footage has now been uploaded to youtube:

The Broomhill Pool Trust would like to thank Mr Edwin Mason of Kesgrave for providing us with rare 8mm footage of Broomhill Pool during 1947 season. Mr Mason and his family enjoyed many happy days at the lido and wish to see the unique, and practical, asset reinstated for future generations of Suffolk people.

* An exhibition of professional high diving, featuring Miss Betty Slade, who competed in the 1932 Olympics at the age of just 14 years old.
* Professional high diving from a Johnny Weissmuller (Tarzan) look-a-like.
* A diving board extension to increase the top board from 5 metre to 10 metres !
* The 700 seat grandstand in full use, plus seating on the sun terraces to accommodate a sell out crowd.
* Film of the entrance fountain (aerator for the children’s pool) in full flow. Plus shots of the original outdoor flood lighting.

The footage has been uploaded to YouTube by local film maker James Sharpe and is free for all to view. The film is 3 minutes long and is accompanied by James’ own 2002, 4 minute film “The Pool”.

As part of an “All Options Appraisal” for Ipswich’s grade II listed lido, Ipswich Borough Council have taken out “Expressions of Interest” advertisements, in two respected industry journals. Ipswich Borough Council are “seeking parties wishing to work up detailed proposals to either refurbish, or redevelop, the existing redundant outdoor swimming pool, as a leisure facility in north-west Ipswich”.

Ipswich Borough Council states that “Ipswich is the fastest growing centre in the East of England... With 350,000 people within a few miles of the facility…this provides a unique leisure related opportunity. Ipswich is the cultural envy of other regional centres, its diversity of arts, entertainment and leisure is unparalleled. The development of University College of Suffolk along with the £1 billion investment in Ipswich Waterfront makes for exciting opportunities within Ipswich”.

Interested Parties can obtain further details and information pack, by contacting Simon Unthank, Ipswich Borough Council on 01473 432217 or email simon.unthank@ipswich.gov.uk. Closing date for receipt of Expressions of Interest is noon 23 October 2009.

“We welcome any initiative by Ipswich Borough Council to find a suitable, long term solution for Broomhill Pool. This is a tremendous opportunity for any leisure operator, and not least IBC themselves, if they have the political vision & will to make it happen. The 50m + pool IS the answer to Ipswich’s acknowledged, desperate shortage of swimming space.

The facility has tremendous potential, providing many future opportunities for an interested leisure operator:

1. Broomhill was built as a out door, HEATED POOL. The boilers were removed for WW2, but the proposed restoration includes sustainable energy heating. This means the pool can be potentially be open all year round. It has the only outdoor high diving boards in East Anglia.

2. The pool can additionally be used 12 months a year for many other leisure pursuits such as training, triathlon, sub aqua, wind surfing, dinghy sailing, water polo, and model boating.

3. There is also great interest from outdoor theatre, dance, arts and music to stage suitable events, using a unique setting, and the 700 seat grandstand.

4. The facility has also buildings ideal for conversion to exhibition centres, class rooms, and community rooms.

As just one of twelve grade 2 listed lidos left in Britain, Broomhill represents a practical & prestigious asset for any leisure operator !”

Unsure why Ipswich Borough Council should be making Broomhill Pool its TOP PRIORITY for Culture and Leisure in Ipswich, please see our updated "WHY SAVE ?" page:

We ask the good people of Ipswich that if you feel the same way, to please ensure your views are registered, and incorporated, into the Council's strategy, using the survey at:

IBC’s latest "Culture and Leisure Needs Analysis Survey" represents a landmark survey (and moment) for the future of leisure in Ipswich.

May I, on behalf of the Broomhill Pool Trust, thank the generous customers of Morrisons Ipswich, who last weekend contributed a magnificent £1149.40 towards the Trust’s fighting fund ! We would also like to thank the wonderful management and staff of Morrisons for allowing us to conduct a collection at their superstore, along with all their kind support and assistance.

The Trust is currently engaged in a joint project team with Ipswich Borough Council to explore all options for the iconic grade 2 listed lido. The “all options appraisal” and its recommendations will be presented to IBC Executive in October.

The Trust also has a joint project with “Community Payback” (Suffolk Probationary Services) to clean, weed, tidy and paint the site. This represents a meaningful scheme for “Community Payback”, whereby offenders can make amends. It helps preserve a cherished Ipswich landmark and demonstrates to IBC that the public cares deeply about the fate of the pool.

These generous contributions come at a critical time. They allow the Trust to buy materials for the clean up; and to ensure that the case and business plan for the restored facility is watertight. Finally, we would also like to welcome the public to visit the pool on Heritage Open Days 12/13 September to view the tremendous works that “Community Payback” teams are performing.

The Trust will be conducting a fund raising (bucket collection) at Morrisons on 14/15/16 August
to help raise vital funds for paint & materials; and to contribute towards the Trust’s costs to review and update our capital cost & business plans - as part of the review process.

If you support our campaign; if you support the Community Payback preservation works (that the Trust and Probataionary services are performing), and if you would like the Trust’s professional volunteers to continue our work to try to save Broomhill Pool. Please donate at our collections at Morrison’s Superstore on Friday thru Sunday, 14/15/16 August; or at our Heritage Open Days (at Broomhill Pool) on Sat/Sun, 12/13 September.

Help save Broomhill Pool by donating your memories to LISTED THEATRE.

LISTED THEATRE is hoping to stage a live performance, in the summer of 2010, to celebrate BROOMHILL POOL'S history and importance within the community; to increase awareness among our local youth; and to raise fighting funds to campaign for its restoration.

The show will be devised with material and ideas inspired by the memories of those who used the pool before its closure.

We are asking for people to pop into Westbourne Library (next to Broomhill Pool) between 10am-5pm on either 25th or 26th of July to answer a couple of questions and to talk about their memories of Broomhill Pool.

There will be coffee, tea, juice and biscuits for all who attend!

If possible please rsvp to listedtheatre@gmail.com or call 07886847712 with an indication as to which day and time is best for you.

Saturday 25th - Sunday 26th July 2009.
Doors open @ 10am - 5pm
Westbourne Library, Sherrington Road, Ipswich, IP1 4HT
(Left of the entrance to Broomhill Pool at far end of car park)

A little more history about the project -
LISTED THEATRE is a site-specific theatre company combing art and activism.
Listed Theatre integrates traditional theatre story telling to revitalize and revive places of historical significance.
For more information please visit:

Thanks to James Sharpe for this short film of the Mayors’ and Mayoress’ visit on Sunday 14 June 2009.

The Trust has engaged the services of “Community Payback” (Suffolk Probationary Services) who have agreed to a 6 month project to spruce up, tidy and paint the site. This represents a meaningful scheme for “Community Payback”, whereby offenders can make amends. It helps preserve a cherished Ipswich landmark and helps us demonstrate to IBC that the public cares deeply about the fate of the pool.

You can now donate on line using our PAY PAL account. Your contributions will allow the Trust to buy materials for the clean up; and to ensure that the case and business plan for the restored facility is watertight.

May I, on behalf of the Broomhill Pool Trust, thank the generous customers of ASDA Ipswich, who during the weekend of 25/26 April contributed over £650 towards the Trust’s fighting funds! We would also like to thank the wonderful management and staff of ASDA for allowing us to conduct a collection at their superstore, along with all their kind support and assistance.

The Trust is currently engaged in a joint project team with Ipswich Borough Council to explore all options for the iconic grade 2 listed lido. The “all options appraisal” and its recommendations will be presented to IBC Executive in late summer.

The Trust has also engaged the services of “Community Payback” (Suffolk Probationary Services) who have agreed to a 6 month project to spruce up, tidy and paint the site. This represents a meaningful scheme for “Community Payback”, whereby offenders can make amends. It helps preserve a cherished Ipswich landmark and helps us demonstrate to IBC that the public cares deeply about the fate of the pool.

These generous contributions come at a critical time. They allow the Trust to buy materials for the clean up; and to ensure that the case and business plan for the restored facility is watertight.

James Sharpe’s much anticipated, first feature length film has just reached completion. James has gained cult status in his home town, with a succession of short length films offering more twists than John Sergeant.

Filmed with less than a shoestring, Sharpe pulled in favours, bribes and naked photographs, assembling a cast of established talent - Mark Killeen (Rise of the Footsoldier), Lisa Armytage (Neighbours) James Fisher (The Zombie Diaries) - mixed with raw new talent - James Lacey, Peter Barfield, etc.

Written, filmed, produced, edited and given birth by James, the plot is Fantasy Romance with comedy. A man is visited by God. She tells him he will be spending time at a "halfway house" when dead….until she can make up her mind about where to put him. While in his suburban limbo he meets others in the same situation of which one could be the "Girl of his dreams", they plan to spend eternity together but God has other plans.

A true independent “Brit-flick” filmed in and around Ipswich (including Broomhill Pool).

Andy: James Lacey
Devil: Mark Killeen
Doctor: Andrew Lindfield
God: Catherine Locardi
Joyce: Lisa Armytage
Louise: Ciara Dooley
Patrick: Paul Easter
Paul: Peter Barfield
Priest: James Fisher

James was born in Ipswich in 1972 and lived there 25 years before moving to Elstree, Boreham Wood where he began making films. He has 2 children James JR and Harrison Sharpe. He is now living back in Ipswich. James has shot 2 films since moving back to Suffolk; and a pop video. He is also a member of www.savebroomhillpool.org and is making his first feature film HALFWAY TO HEAVEN proceeds being donated to save the pool.

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TO RESERVE YOUR FUTURE COPY (OR FOR ANY INTEREST) OF "HALFWAY TO HEAVEN" EMAIL: info@savebroomhillpool.org.

Latest News : Joint IBC & BPT project team to perform “all options appraisal” for Broomhill.
Latest News : Trust engage “Community Payback” to help preserve site.

The Trust has been invited by Ipswich Borough Council to form a joint project team to explore all options for the iconic grade 2 listed lido. The “all options appraisal” will be presented to IBC Executive in late summer.

2. The Trust has also negotiated to engage the services of “Community Payback” (Probationary Services) who have agreed to a 3-6 month project to de-vandalize and tidy the site in the interim period.
This represents a meaningful scheme for “Community Payback”, whereby offenders can make amends. It will help preserve a cherished Ipswich landmark and helps us demonstrate to IBC that the public cares deeply about the fate of the pool.

3. The Trust will be conducting a fund raising (bucket collection) at ASDA on 25/26 April to help raise vital funds for paint & materials; and to contribute towards the Trust’s costs to review and update our capital cost & business plans - as part of the review process.

Trust members and volunteers will conduct a fund raising collection at the ASDA Superstore on Goddard Road. The Trust will have a public display of the history and planned future for the facility; and provide the public with up to date information on the fight to save Broomhill.

We are extremely grateful to ASDA for this opportunity and their support. This is a key fundraising activity at a critical time for the pool, so the Trust would welcome any supporters/volunteers to help us conduct the collection.

The Trust will have a public display of the history and planned future for the facility; and provide the public with up to date information on the fight to save Broomhill.

These two days are critical to fundraising for the Trust. The previous generosity of visitors has enabled the Trust to continue its work.

BROOMHILL POOL is featured in the latest [February 2009] edition of EADT Suffolk Magazine. Available in all good newsagents, priced at £2.95 per copy. The Broomhill article is on page 64/65.

Paul Geater has largely ignored a very detailed and factual reply given by the Trust on 31 December. However, he is quite right to be concerned about any waste of local taxpayer’s money. The Trust is therefore pleased to explain why we believe taxpayers should back our efforts to lobby Ipswich Borough Council to “come off the side lines, and become fully engaged in delivering a solution for Broomhill Pool”.

* IBC’s own needs assessment shows that Ipswich has an “under provision of swimming pool supply that is likely to grow as the population of the Borough continues to expand”. We welcome news that Crown Pool and Fore Street are to be refurbished, but the fact is that this adds no additional swimming space.

* IBC own figures also reveal that the cost of any new build pool will cost the taxpayer 6-10 times more than restoring Broomhill Pool (including heated water).

* The current IBC £1m guarantee for Broomhill remains until end 2009. However, to put this into context, the public should be aware that £1m would not even pay for Broomhill’s demolition and stabilisation of the site (which lies within Broomhill Park).

* Broomhill Pool is the responsibility of IBC. With their full engagement IBC & the Trust stands an excellent chance to secure 50-75% of the £4m capital funding needed to restore the facility. This can be raised from lottery, government and third party funding but it will only happen if there is active IBC leadership for the program.

* Taxpayers are also entitled to ask why IBC would ignore the findings of a £67,000 feasibility study (that taxpayers paid for) ? The study was prepared by independent experts and states that “the pool can be run without an operational loss”. In fact operating budgets within the study were conservatively estimated on attendances of just 21,000 pa. (Note: when the pool was well maintained and operated actual attendances were often 45,000+ per year).Naturally, it is also more likely that such an operator will be more attracted if the pool owners (IBC) carry out the appointment directly (rather than through the Trust as third party volunteers).

So, with a more hands on approach from IBC, it is clear that i) CAPITAL funding can be found that limited exposure to tax payers; and ii) experts believe that NOT FOR PROFIT operators can be found who will run the pool at no cost to the taxpayer.

It is the Trust which is working to SAVE local taxpayers money and to find an effective solution for a needed public asset. Paul Geater may think we have “rose tinted spectacles”. However, we are working to hold our elected officials to account. Ironically, we thought that was Paul’s job.

"I KNOW I've never been popular with Broomhill campaigners - over the years I have tried to balance reports about the pool and the fact is there have always been people questioning the figures of those trying to reopen the pool.

I don't believe anyone wanted to see the pool close for its own sake, or wanted to see the efforts to gain finance to reopen it fail.

What I have been concerned about is that some campaigners have seen the issue through rose-tinted spectacles and imagined that everyone in the town was as committed as them to reopening the pool.

It's one thing to sign a petition on the Cornhill - it's another thing for people to be happy about paying a lot of money in council tax to maintain a facility most of them are unlikely to use.

And that is something the authorities know and the campaigners need to constantly persuade them that the pool could be viable".

The pool failed to get National Lottery funding because the campaigners were not able to persuade those making the grant that they had the necessary financial and practical backing".

It does them no good to be constantly told what a wonderful thing Broomhill is, they need to be challenged to build a case robust enough to win the argument.

That is something they have failed to do so far as the National Lottery is concerned. And I can't believe I'm the only person who now feels that in the current climate there is nowhere left for them to go.

The Broomhill Pool Trust would like to wish its many friends and supporters a happy New Year !

In response to Paul Geater’s (Ipswich Evening Star) article on December 19 (“Its time to forget the open-air pool dream”) the Trust has published the following response which is printed in todays Evening Star.

1. Broomhill is just one of twelve Grade II listed lidos in the UK. It is the only 50m + length lido in East Anglia; the only “Moderne” style building left in Ipswich.

2. The Grade II listing requires that any demolition order must be made to the Secretary of State. The owners (IBC) would need to prove that the lido is not restorable or viable for its purpose. However, the IBC/Trust, £67,000 feasibility study (conducted in 2006) already confirms that IT IS fully restorable (just £3.9m) and can be run without an operational loss. Operating budgets within the study were conservatively estimated on attendances of just 21,000 pa. (however, when the pool was well maintained and operated actual attendances were often 45,000+ per year.

3. The lido is within Broomhill Park. IBC would face a battle to use the land for anything other than recreational use. Demolition of the pool, remediation and stabilisation of the site would cost in excess of £1m (IBC has so far pledged £1m for its restoration).

4. Broomhill Pool was built in 1938 as a heated outdoor pool allowing extended seasonal opening (the boilers were requisitioned for WW2). The feasibility proposed scheme includes modern sustainable boilers to heat the pool. The facility would also house an education and heritage suite, catering, and promote many other outdoor pursuits such as canoeing, sailing, triathlon and suba.

5. St Matthews and Pipers Vale have gone; school pools at Northgate and Westbourne have gone. Crown Pools and Fore Street are inadequate for a growing Ipswich population. Any new built indoor pool for would cost six times more than restoring Broomhill. So, Broomhill is by far the most cost effective solution to meet the towns swimming needs and seasonal peak demands.

6. Broomhill could quite easily be restored to Olympic length. However, our objective is to cater inclusively for ALL Ipswich residents and user groups to increase healthy and social activity – more than just pandering to a handful of elite athletes.

7. We have NOT “exhausted every area of funding and failed”. On the contrary, we know exactly where funding must and can come from, but no one will make the first move until the owners (IBC) and the majority funders (HLF) have reached mutual agreement on their commitment.

8. During a period of economic turmoil a local capital project like Broomhill will secure local jobs in construction, civil engineering, surveying, and long term jobs for pool operators and staff.

9. The first £1.99m bid for Heritage Lottery Funding was rejected in 2008. The project met the three key HLF objectives. However, the HLF indicated it was seeking “greater long term commitment from the pool’s owners”.

10. The Broomhill Trust has continued to lobby councillors on all sides. We hope to convince our council to provide long term commitment; and to present a combined, enhanced bid to the HLF in 2009.

· Public and user groups would like the facility re-opened (18,500 petition signatures (2008), 88% of IBC’s own (2003) survey;, 3000 hits per month on www.savebroomhillpool.org

         Councillor Terry introduced the report and detailed the options for each pool.

         At the invitation of the Chair, Mrs Wainman speaking as a supporter of Broomhill Pool, raised concerns relating to proposals to fill in the pool and the lack of consultation that had been carried out.

         In response the B&DS Co-ordinator confirmed that consultation with the appropriate bodies would be carried out once finance had been agreed.

that option A2 in respect of extending the life of Crown Pools for 10 years be adopted and that the Head of Finance make the necessary financial provision in the agreed capital programme for future years.

Reason: to ensure adequate swimming provision is retained for the community in the short to medium term whilst a comprehensive review of sports facilities is undertaken.

(ii) that the Portfolio Holder for Culture and Leisure
           commissions a Sports Facility Needs Review for Ipswich
           utilising internal resource supported by external funding
           following the outcome of Local Government Review
           and to report back to Executive or the new authority as the
           case may be on the outcome.

Reason: to clearly identify the strategic sport facility needs both (wet and dry) in Ipswich for the next thirty years.

(iii) that option B1 in respect of Broomhill Pool to make the
           Pool safe, pending a longer term review at an estimated
           cost of £113,000 be adopted and that the Head of Finance
           makes the necessary provision in the capital programme
           financial year 08/09.

Reason; to improve health and safety at the pools as outlined in the report and to provide Broomhill Trust more time to seek the necessary third party funding to reopen the pool at some point in the future if possible.

(iv) that option C1 in respect of Fore Street Baths to bring the building up to date and more suitable facilities at an estimated cost of £300,000 be adopted and that the Head of Finance make the necessary financial provision in the capital programme for 2009/10.

A MAJOR bid to give Ipswich's swimming pools a radical makeover is being launched today.

A report on possible developments at Fore Street swimming pool, Crown Pools and Broomhill Pool is published today, and explores the issues of improvements and health and safety measures to be undertaken.

The options include a £300,000 makeover at Fore Street, which would mean a massive renovation project, including repairs to the roof, retiling the floor and general redecoration work.

Judy Terry, Ipswich Borough Council's portfolio holder for arts, culture and leisure, who will be presenting the report to the Executive committee on December 16, is also hoping that a £4million bid for improvements at Crown Pools will be granted, which would allow them to reconfigure the changing rooms, repair the roof and undertake major redecoration.

Mrs Terry said: “We have put quite a lot of money into improving the pools on things like plant machinery and safety issues, but it is not work that people can see. They are tired-looking and need proper refurbishments.”

It is also requested in the report that health and safety measures are undertaken at Broomhill Pool, which would consist of draining the pool and replacing the water with innate material, like foam, and removing the diving boards.

She added that plans to redevelop the borough's sports centres also need to be looked at and an assessment would be carried out across the whole area if they achieved unitary status.

She said: “The sports centres are also tired. They need a complete reconfiguration and extensions but we cannot afford to do that.”

Crown Pools consists of a competition, leisure and teaching pool, as well as other facilities like a fitness suite and crèche. The council has been considering either renovating or replacing it for several years.

Fore Street pool was built in 1854, and is primarily used for clubs, schools and private hire.

CAMPAIGNERS trying to save Broomhill Pool today said they are heartbroken that the site has become a magnet for vandals and thieves.

Money is now having to be spent on improving security and health and safety measures after it emerged youngsters were breaking in and jumping off the diving boards.

Part of the Pools Development Options report looks at making some safety improvements at the disused pool, which closed in 2002, following a number of incidents.

A film of youngsters jumping into the water has been placed on video sharing website, YouTube, and has already had had hundreds of viewers. Thieves have also stolen copper from wires and pump motors, and vandals have smashed an underwater observation window, which let out a third of the water.

The council has installed a palisade fence to make it more secure and the observation windows will be made vandal proof.

Mrs Terry said: “We have spent £100,000 on safety issues. We need to drain the pool and put some innate material there to stabilise it which can easily be removed. We also have to remove the diving boards for health and safety reasons.”

Since its closure, campaigners have been fighting for the restoration of the pool as it is the only open-air Olympic pool in East Anglia.

Mark Ling, of the Broomhill Pool Trust, said: “Anything that detracts from the pool as it is, is heartbreaking but at the end of the day health and safety is paramount. We know IBC cannot do anything other than comply with health and safety rules.

“I would prefer to see the money spent on the restoration of the pool but in reality, that is not going to happen. Any derelict building is going to draw certain people in and that is the additional reason why if the pool was restored and run by a professional operating group it would be a good facility and safer in the long run. It has become a magnet for vandals which is heartbreaking.”

Since the Trust's Heritage Lottery bid for restoration was rejected in October, they have been lobbying all the political parties and are working closely with IBC to explore options for a re-bid.

“We are pretty upbeat about it and remain cautiously optimistic. We know the people of Ipswich are behind us,” Mr Ling added

Note: A full financial account has been published and filed. This shows that nearly £18,000 has been raised to support the efforts to save Broomhill Pool in the last two years. Two significant grants had been received from IBC (£1500) and AHF (£3000), and generous corporate donations from BT OpenReach, Cory Brothers and Nick Glenndining. However, an outstanding £13000 has been raised from public donations. Local people have therefore paid the main contribution of the Heritage Lottery Fund bid application (£9122) and towards the Trust's £9000 contribution for the 2006 feasibility study. Although consultancy fees are inevitable, both projects were managed by the Trust and largely completed by professional volunteers. We believe this demonstrates the depth of support and public demand for East Anglia's only Olympic length lido.

This has been a very difficult year for the Trust. In the first half of the year the Project Team prepared and delivered the bid for £1.9m to the Heritage Lottery Fund complete and on time. There followed silence for fourteen weeks, leaving only eight weeks before the final decision. Following the HLF visit, they told us they were unhappy with certain aspects of the restoration programme, which we have been able to adjust; and then, that Ipswich Borough Council’s support was, as it stood, inadequate to ensure a successful bid. Despite high level meetings with the Council we were unable to secure the necessary change of Council policy in time for the vital HLF committee meeting on September 9th.

Debriefing by HLF to the Trust showed that it had been a close run decision; particularly because of the reduction in funding of the HLF (due to 2012 Olympic drain and competition for funds). However, the restoration of the Pool and its operation would fulfil all the HLF’s requirements as to heritage, education, opening hours and accessibility. Since then we have been meeting the IBC team with oversight of the Pool and making presentations to the party groups on the Council.

We are making audio recordings of peoples’ memories of the Pool over the past seventy years – our living history project.

Many hours of filming have been carried out at the Pool by James Sharpe for his feature length film which is to support us. We’ve done many interviews with the press, TV features, and photographic sessions.

We have approached a number of other funding organisations which have, as yet, not been successful. It is clear that they will not come on board until the HLF makes us a major grant.

We celebrated the 70th anniversary of the Pool’s opening in April with an open day at the Pool followed by an evening fund-raiser courtesy of The Emperor Inn; in June we benefited from an evening 20/20 cricket match at Copdock between Ipswich CC and Suffolk CCC ‘A’ team. Attendance at fairs and fetes culminating in the Heritage Open Day in September raised over £5000. We were helped by a small grant from IBC. This enabled us to pay for the expenses in making the HLF bid.

We have also been active in improving our website which averages 300-500 hits a week in normal times.

It is sad to record that there has been an increased level of vandalism at the Pool, with an episode of youths swimming and diving (a recent test of the water showed it to be perfectly clean!) and a professional breaking and entering to steal copper from wires and pump motors. Both of these groups were apprehended. Vandals succeeded in putting a scaffolding pole through an underwater observation window thus letting out a third of the water into the drains.

The Council has installed a palisade fence and will make it even more secure. The observation windows will be made vandal proof. In all, this will cost in the order of £55,000.

Finally, I am extremely grateful to all the Bid Team members and to the Trust Committee for their extra hard work this year which has had such a disappointing outcome and for their support in such tough times.

We are completing presentations to the main political parties in Ipswich (all elected councillors) and remain hopeful to convince the council to take greater ownership & leadership on a new HLF bid. We see HLF lottery bid like a “driving test” - if you fail, you do not throw aside all the good work, but look to put right what is missing, and then retake it.

We live to fight another day and I remain convinced that we will be successful in restoring the Pool to many years of use to the people of Ipswich; we know at least 20,000 people support us.

Councillor Macdonald: Thank you Mr Mayor. The Heritage Lottery cited ‘lack of support’ from Ipswich Borough Council as the reason for turning down the bid to refurbish Broomhill Pool. Can Councillor Terry tell me what support was requested by the Broomhill Trust and what was offered by the Council?

Councillor Terry: Thank you Mr Mayor. According to a letter from HLF to the Broomhill Pool Trust dated 11 September, the reasons for refusal included risks in project management and financial viability as well as future sustainability. The HLF also cited the level of partnership funding still be secured as one of their concerns. The Council has given considerable support to the Trust as was acknowledged during the debrief with me and officers only last week. Not only did the Council put £1 million, which was secure and not unsecure - as subsequently reported, but also contributed £58,000 towards the feasibility study. The Council also extended the deadline for the Trust to raise external funding and to provide extra time for the HLF bid to be submitted. At two meetings attended by me and officers, including either the Head of Legal Services or her deputy, and immediately prior to the HLF’s final deliberations, the Trust indicated that the HLF wished assurances that the Council would effectively underwrite the project by entering direct into contract with the main contractor for the capital works, procuring and entering into an operations and management agreement with the operator, underwrite the operation and management agreement to future-proof the HLF’s investment. We were advised by Legal that this was a fundamental change to the original terms of the Executive Report of 3 April 2007 and it would not only have been irresponsible to accept an open-ended risk, it would also have been illegal without a further report to Executive. However, the Trust was assured that a report would be taken to Executive to consider this request and a letter to that effect was addressed to the Trust Chairman by Legal Services to be made available to the HLF to assist them in their deliberations. I have the letter here if anyone would like me to read it to them. Does anyone want me to read it? A copy can certainly be made available. It’s not breaching anything as far as I am aware, I have checked that.

Councillor Macdonald: Is the Council prepared to increase its support to the Trust to allow a further bid to be successful?

Councillor Terry: I think as I have already said Councillor, the Executive will receive a report shortly to discuss the options.

Councillor Atkins: Can I move under Standing Order 6.13 that the time be extended Mr Mayor?

Broomill's plight has received national recognition with an article in this fortnights Private Eye magazine. The magazine is the UK's number 1 best-selling news and current affairs magazine edited by Ian Hislop.

The magazine is currently on sale at £1.50 per copy. Broomhill is featured on page 12.

Ipswich based Film Director James Sharpe has almost completed his feature length movie "Halfway to Heaven". The movie was shot around Ipswich and on location at Broomhill Pool. Subject to success of the movie, James and the cast have generously agreed to make proceeds from the net profits to the Broomhill Pool Trust.

The film will be ready for DVD release to the public in January. Meantime, James will be seeking a distributor for the film. The film will be available in January at £5 per DVD copy through www.savebroomhillpool.org website.

Many British Independent movies have gained cult status and made significant revenues through the DVD charts. So, please view the trailer, spread the word and if you know any good distributors be sure to let us know !

Broomhill Pool Trust President, Mike Read, speaks with Mark Murphy about Heritage Lottery Fund bid rejection and next steps in the campaign to save the grade 2 listed lido.

ORWELL WALK 2008
The Orwell Walk took place in September this year after the Rotary Club of Ipswich East had had to cancel the Walk in June after torrential rainfall had flooded parts of the course.

Sally Wainman received pledges of £140 in total: - 25% of which goes to the Rotary Club (who distribute all funds raised to different charities) and 75% for Broomhill Pool.

This means that the Broomhill Pool Trust have received £105 as a result of the Walk this year.

Sally says, "Grateful thanks, once again, to the Rotary Club for organising this wonderful event and good luck to the Trust in all their efforts to see the Ipswich Lido back on the map as a fully fledged sporting and heritage attraction."

Sally says "This group was set up to help people in their campaigns for their local swimming pools. Six years ago I started campaigning for our local lido, Broomhill Pool in Ipswich. As the fight to save it became better known I realized that other people were also fighting pool closures and it therefore made sense to try and "pool resources".

EAST ANGLIAN DAILY TIMES FRONT PAGE 12-9-08
Historic pool denied £2million lifeline
12 September 2008 | 07:00

CRAIG ROBINSON

Broomhill Pool
SUFFOLK's only Olympic-sized swimming pool has been denied a £2m lifeline - a decision that campaigners said “flew in the face” of a 2012-inspired drive to get more people involved in sport and fitness.

The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) yesterday rejected a bid to restore the historic Broomhill Pool in Ipswich, which has been closed for six years.

The decision was met with dismay by campaigners - especially at a time when the Government is promoting the need for exercise to prevent growing levels of obesity.

The Grade II listed lido, in Sherrington Road, was shut in 2002 because Ipswich Borough Council thought it was unsafe and too expensive to renovate.

The council has since pledged to give £1m to help with its restoration - so long as members of the Broomhill Pool Trust could guarantee the rest of the £3.9m that would be needed for it to be re-opened.

But last night their hopes suffered a huge blow when the HLF announced that it had rejected the group's bid for £1.9m in funding to help with the renovations.

Long-distance swimmer Mike Read, who is a member of the trust, said: “We are always told the Government want to support sport at grassroots level - they are saying people can swim for free in an effort to stem obesity but when is it going to happen? Where is it going to happen? Certainly not Ipswich.

“This decision totally flies in the face of what they have said in the past. I can't help thinking they get carried away with terms of utopia and centres of excellence - what we really need are centres of activity.”

Mr Read, who has swum the English Channel a staggering 33 times, added: “It's heartbreaking because a golden opportunity has been lost.”

Mark Ling, spokesman for the Broomhill Pool Trust, said the group was “extremely disappointed” but pledged to continue with the restoration. “We believed we had submitted a strong case that showed the pool was viable,” he said.

The lido, which celebrated its 70th birthday in April, was opened in 1938 and is Suffolk's only Olympic sized swimming pool.

Judy Terry, Ipswich Borough Council's arts, culture and leisure portfolio holder, said she would soon meet members of the trust and then report back to the executive committee.

“We made a commitment to give £1m to the trust if they could raise funds to restore the pool and now we'll have to review our position,” she said.

In June the Government announced that England's swimming pools could be free to use by the time of the London Olympics as part of a bid to get more people involved in sport by 2012.

Robyn Llewellyn, head of Heritage Lottery Fund East of England, said it was a “tough decision” to reject Broomhill's application.

“We are aware that this project has a huge amount of public support in the local area,” he said. “There were, however, significant concerns about project delivery and future sustainability without a greater commitment from Ipswich Borough Council, the owners of the site. Therefore the committee considered that the project was too high risk.”

The HLF was set up by Parliament in 1994 to give grants to a wide range of projects involving the local, regional and national heritage of the UK.

Its decisions about individual applications and policies are entirely independent but it reports to Government through the department for Culture, Media and Sport .

N Mr Ling said Broomhill would still be opening its doors tomorrow and Sunday between 10am and 5pm. Members of the public will be able to view safe areas of the pool site and there will be an exhibition of the lido, competitions and raffle prizes. There will also be a barbecue and party tomorrow at the Emperor public house on Norwich Road at 6pm.

HLF Chief says that with greater backing by Ipswich Borough Council that a new bid can be made to save Broomhill Pool.

Reaction to Broomhill Verdict: Richard Powell, regional chairman of the Heritage Lottery fund, explains why the Broomhill Lido pool was refused funding.

HERITAGE OPEN DAYS - BROOMHILL POOL 10:00-17:00 on Saturday 13th & Sunday 14th September 2008; plus BBQ AND PARTY - EMPEROR PUBLIC HOUSE on Saturday 13th September at 18:00 onwards (Norwich Road, bottom of Sherrington Road)

The Broomhill Pool Trust will host Heritage open days at the pool from 10:00am to 17:00 on Saturday 13 & Sunday 14 September 2008. The public will be able to view safe areas of the pool site. There will be an exhibition of the pool, competitions and raffle prizes. Entrance is free, but donations to the Broomhill Pool Trust will be welcome.

On Saturday 13 September at 18:00 an evening BBQ and party will be held at the Trust's worldwide HQ at Emperor Public House on Norwich Road. Entrance is free, but donations to the Broomhill Pool Trust will be welcome. All proceeds from the BBQ go to the Trust.

A special "Broomhill 70th Birthday" souvenier booklet will be sold at £2.00 per copy.

The Heritage Lottery Fund has rejected Broomhill Pool Trust’s application for lottery funding to save Suffolk & Norfolk’s only grade 2 listed lido. Despite the backing of a detailed £67,000 feasibility study and 7 months of professional bid preparation, the Cambridge based, East of England Regional Committee has declined the £1.99m bid application. HLF staff will meet with the Trust to outline their reasons for rejection in due course. Celebrating its 70th year, the future for the Ipswich Borough Council owned facility is now uncertain.

The Trust are very grateful to Town 102 FM for their continued support - and extensive coverage of our campaign - to restore Ipswich's rare grade 2 listed lido.

A delegation from Town 102 including; Breakfast Club Presenter Dave James, Mark Pryke (Mid-morning slot) and Susie Broderick (News) visited the site on 26 August.

A regeneration project for Castleford town centre - planned with input from its own people -prompted Town102 FM (David James' Breakfast Club) to poll listeners on what they would like to add/change about Ipswich. Results below:

Which of these areas of Ipswich would you like to see as a priority for regeneration and redevelopment?

21% voted for a large new shopping complex on the edge of town, with everything under one roof and lots of free parking

42% voted to restore and renovate Broomhill Pool to a modern version of its former self, for families to enjoy all year round.

11% voted to spend some serious money to clean up and modernise Felixstowe seafront, including a new pier to boost tourism

23% voted to develop the Odeon building into an arts centre for young people, with clubs and activities to keep them off the streets

3% voted to update and redesign Chantry park, with a new safe play area and a clean pond for the children to enjoy.

See Broomhill Pool - 1996 Season – John Carter’s Photographic Record at www.savebroomhillpool.org

The Broomhill Pool Trust is indebted to John Carter, a former Head Lifeguard at Broomhill Pool, who has donated his personal scrapbook of the 1996 season. John’s journal brings back a lot of fantastic memories, and importantly provides a complete photo journal of a season at Broomhill. We hope that the full scrapbook (with over 180 images) will form one of many exhibition pieces at a restored Broomhill. However, for now, we are delighted to share with you 24 of John’s images.

John’s notes also show an official end of season report for 1995 showing that 42,922 swims took place that season. 19785 in August; and a huge 1572 in one day on 31 July 1995 ! Just think what an asset a restored and heated Broomhill Pool would be for the people of Suffolk !

A new friends group has been set up on www.facebook.com (by Daniel Sawyer). 393 members have signed up (so far) to make friends, and to share memories and stories about our much loved and much missed lido.

As you may have heard the Orwell Walk planned for 8th June2008 had to be cancelled due to flooding on that weekend, making the course untenable. It has been re-scheduled for Sept 2008 and therefore anyone wanting to make a donation still has time to do so!

We are delighted that Pooling Resources campaigner Sally Wainman will be entering the 32nd Orwell Walk and will be raising funds for the Broomhill Pool Trust. Sally successfully completed the whole 25 miles both last year and the year before.

The Broomhill Pool Trust thank Sally for her generous support and wish her luck !

“King of the Channel”, Former Olympian, and Trust President Mike Read completes swim across the Gulf of Toroneos (Greece) to raise funds for Broomhill Pool !

On July 19th 2008 Ipswich’s “King of the Channel”® Mike Read completed a 27 km swim across the Gulf of Toroneos in Northern Greece from Kallithea to Nikiti to raise funds for the Broomhill Trust in support of the restoration of Broomhill Open-Air pool.

If you have sponsored Mike [or would still like to] and help SAVE BROOMHILL POOL pleas send donation cheques to Mrs Janet Adams, 18 Dales View Rd, Ipswich, IP1 4HL Tel: 01473 742721. For copies of the sponsorship form or questions please email Mark Ling on info@savebroomhillpool.org.

A BBC Look East news team visited Broomhill Pool on 01 July to report on the current status of the pool.

A recent act of vandalism had lead to a substantial loss of water from the pool. Whilst the damage is fully repairable, it is yet another demonstration of the vulnerability of the derelict site. It also provides an urgent reminder of the need to restore our grade 2 list pool without delay.

The Broomhill Pool Trust is delighted to announce that Ipswich Cricket Club will host a "Twenty20" game against a Suffolk County Cricket XI in aid of the Pool to raise funds. Our inside reporter advises us that "county are picking a strong team for the Twenty20 game".

The match starts at 6.00 pm on Thursday 12 June at the Ipswich Ground at Clayhall, Copdock (see directions below).

Ipswich cricket Club have also kindly allowed the trust to provide a Barbeque (all profits to the Trust). A public bar is also available.

DIRECTIONS: from Ipswich: Junction 32B on the A12, turn left on the Old London Road at the cattery after going under the bridge. Postcode is IP8 3JL

The Broomhill Pool Trust would like to thank all those who attended the Grade 2 listed lido’s 70th Anniversary event on Saturday 26 April.

Around 500 visitors attended, helping raise over £900 towards the Trust’s fighting funds. We would like to publically thank our Mayor, Cllr Inga Lockington, Sir Michael and Lady Lord, Cllr Judy Terry and Ben Gummer for their visits and for their genuine interest in our progress. We are most grateful to Andy & Heather Kempton at the Emperor Public House for hosting the evening party and for generously donating 100% of the barbecue profits. We also thank Ken Sheppard and Ivan Rooke for exhibiting their beautiful vintage cars; and to all those who donated prizes for the raffle.

The Trust has raised around a further £6000 to complete our £2m Heritage Lottery Fund Bid application. The work took 7 months and was mainly completed by professional volunteers. However, we do have to pay technical and legal consultants, etc. The donations from the 70^th Birthday event are therefore essential to replenish our fighting funds and enable the Trust to continue completing further professional bids to the bigger charitable funds & foundations.

Broomhill Pool is a flagship leisure facility and unique attraction for Ipswich, one that successfully served the citizens of Ipswich for 70 years. With continued public support and with the Trust's efforts we hope to preserve this immensely practical icon for the town, forever.

We write to ask your help to raise vital fighting funds to enable the Trust to continue with its work.

1) Around £9000 towards the £67,000 feasibility study completed in 2005. The study concluded that Broomhill was restorable and viable. However, most significantly, it secured a £1million guarantee from Ipswich borough Council.
2) Around £6000 towards the professional completion of our Heritage Lottery Fund bid. If successful this bid will secure a £2million HLF grant.
3) The Trust also maintains this website, produces leaflets and regular events to maintain a strong public profile for Broomhill.

Whilst we eagerly await news from the HLF, we must continue the process of approaching other significant charitable funding bodies to secure the remaining funds needed to restore Broomhill. The Trust committee consists of many professionals who give their time and resources absolutely free. We do, however, need to engage and pay external professionals for legal and technical advice.

Either directly or indirectly, can you help us raise funds to continue our with our efforts ? Please lobby your employers or friends to support a most worthy local cause:-

A personal donation of £10, £25 or even £100 makes a huge difference to our working funds.

A business donation of £100, £500 or £1000 could enable us to complete a bid application that could secure £25,000 to £500,000 from a key charitable fund.

Please send cheques made payable to “The Broomhill Pool Trust” to Mrs Janet Adams, 18 Dales View Rd, Ipswich, IP1 4HL

Please visit us on Broomhill Pool’s 70th Anniversary on Saturday 26 April (10:00-17:00) followed by BBQ at the Emperor Pub immediately afterwards.

Our Heritage Lottery Fund Bid was safely delivered to HLF Cambridge offices 16:30 on Monday 31 March 2008. Many thanks to all of you who helped in any way, but particularly to Bill Haward who has slaved all night to get our bid in perfect presentation order. We now have to wait about three months to hear.

Meantime, we have EVENTS planned to mark the 70th Anniversary of Broomhill Pool. Please see our website events page for full details.

Broomhill supporting fim director James Sharpe is currently filming a feature film HALFWAY TO HEAVEN. A percetage of all the profits will be donated to the Broomhill Pool Trust.

Halfway to heaven is a story about a man who is visited in his sleep by God. God tells him he will be spending time at a "halfway house" when dead, until God can make up her mind about where to put him.

God, who is female in this film, puts more people in the house with him. There he falls in love with a girl. They plan to spend eternity together but God has other plans.

James Sharpe’s film “The Pool” has been selected to air on ITVlocal webiste.

The 5 minute short film is a touching tribute to the Broomhill Pool lido in Ipswich.

Film director James spent many happy days at the pool. He publicly supports the Broomhill Pool Trust in its efforts to save the popular and unique facility.

James Sharpe’s film “The Pool” has been selected to air on Channel 4’s website “Four Docs”.

The 5 minute short film is a touching tribute to the Broomhill Pool lido in Ipswich.

Film director James spent many happy days at the pool. He publicly supports the Broomhill Pool Trust in its efforts to save the popular and unique facility.

James says “If supporters take time to log in and favourably review “The Pool” then there is a good chance that Channel 4 will fully air the film on its terrestrial TV channel. This would help to further raise the profile of Broomhill Pool and may attract further supporters and funding”.

On behalf of the Broomhill Pool Trust we would like to thank all those who supported us at our recent, fundraising events.

The Heritage open days on Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th September raised £410. Over 600 visitors came, demonstrating their terrific vision and support for our endangered, grade 2, Olympic length lido.

On Sunday 16th we staged a “Jitterbug Picnic” at Castle Hill Junior School. Around 200 people attended the afternoon event. Broomhill Pool was built in 1938 and gave up it’s water boilers for the war effort. It was therefore fitting that a Jitterbug group performed war-time 1940’s music and dance in aid of Broomhill’s own fight for survival !

We are extremely grateful to Cactus Promotions whose Jitterbug troop of 20 dancers gave their services free to help us raise awareness and vital funds for the Trust. Ken Farrow, the Ipswich born artist was visiting from Australia. Ken had donated his “Framsden Windmill” painting to raise funds; and he personally presented it to the Whitmore family who had bid £500. Film Director, James Sharpe provided free viewing of his excellent films. We would also express our gratitude to the Head Teacher, PTA and children of Castle Hill Junior school for their efforts.

The Trust is proud of Ipswich’s heritage. We are extremely thankful that so many talented people - who share our value for living culture - have supported us.

We have raised around £1100 for our funds. This enables the Trust to continue our important work towards attracting lottery funding; and working with Ipswich Borough Council to save Ipswich’s iconic and unique lido.

2) David Whitmore has generously bid £500 for Ken Farrow's Framsden Mill painting.

1) King of the Channel - Mike Read opened bidding at £300. We believe the painting is worth in excess of £1000.

Broomhill Pool Trust announces "on-line auction" of Ken Farrow's painting - "Framsden Mill".

“King of the Channel” Mike Read opened the on-line bidding today of international artist Ken Farrow’s “Framsden Mill”. Mr Read has started bidding at £300 with all profits towards the Broomhill Pool Trust’s fundraising to restore Suffolk’s majestic 1930’s Olympic length lido.

* There will be a 4 week bid on-line auction via the www.savebroomhillpool.org website.
* All parties interested to buy Ken's painting can submit an offer using the www.savebroomhillpool.org website email contact page.
* The Trust will update the website daily (or as needed) to show latest bid price.

* The Trust will reveal the highest bidder (or if preferring to stay anonymous their bid total) at our Heritage Open Day on Sunday 9 September.

BBC Radio Suffolk 103.9 FM to announce Broomhill Pool Trust “on-line auction” of Ken Farrow’s painting - "Framsden Mill".

BBC Radio Suffolk will interview artist Ken Farrow & "King of the Channel" Mike Read today. BBC Radio Suffolk will exclusively provide details of the Trust's “on-line auction” of Ken Farrow’s painting - "Framsden Mill".

Outline details:

* There will be a 4 week bid on-line auction via the www.savebroomhillpool.org website.

* All parties interested to buy ken’s painting can submit an offer using the www.savebroomhillpool.org website email contact page.

* The Trust will update the website daily (or as needed) to show latest bid price.

* The Trust will reveal the highest bidder (or if preferring to stay anonymous their bid total) at our Heritage Open Day on Sunday 9 September.

The Broomhill Pool Trust would like to acknowledge the outstanding support of The Architectural Heritage Fund. The AHF has provided advice to the Trust in the early stages of setting up and commissioning the options appraisal (feasibility study). AHF has also provided grant assistance towards the Trust’s portion of the Feasibility costs.

The AHF have provided invaluable advice; and are also looking to support us with further grants and/or working capital loan subject to the project and the Trust remaining eligible (eg. The Broomhill Pool Trust or our appointed operator has to be a charity, not a company or local authority to be eligible)

AHF Overview
The Architectural Heritage Fund
Alhambra House
27-31 Charing Cross Road
London WC2H 0AU

The Architectural Heritage Fund is a registered charity founded in 1976 to promote the conservation of historic buildings in the UK. It does this by providing advice, information and financial assistance in the form of grants and low interest working capital loans for projects undertaken by Building Preservation Trust (BPT) and other charities throughout the UK.
AHF activities include:

The Trust would like to thank the pupils, parents and teachers of Castle Hill and Broke Hall Junior schools for allowing us to participate at their summer fetes (16 & 30 June).

The Trust raised over £100 towards our funds; and gained a further 100+ signatures supporting our work.

We are aware that most local children under the age of 10 will never have experienced an outdoor swimming pool; or have no knowledge about Ipswich's unique, Olympic sized lido. We are therefore delighted to have an opportunity to raise their awareness; and hope one day families will return to a restored Broomhill.

Dear Resident

I am writing to you to inform you of the planned security measures adopted by Ipswich Borough Council’s Swimming Service with regards to Broomhill Pool, for the summer season 2007.

As you may well be aware, Broomhill Pool will remain closed whilst the Broomhill Pool Trust continue to explore the options for the funding and management of the facility. You may be interested to know that the Trust are again planning to open limited areas of the site on the weekend of 8th/9th September as part of Heritage Open Days 2007 (organised nationally by the Civic Trust and English Heritage).

We have again introduced a number of increased security measures for the summer period, including utilising the services of Timely Help Security, who will be carrying out numerous site visits from Monday 2nd July through to Sunday 2nd September (the end of the school summer holidays).

If at any time you believe that there may be trespassers on the site, please feel free to call Timely Help’s control centre on 0800 052 8104 (freephone). In an emergency you should of course call the emergency services by dialling 999.

If you require further information or if I can be of further assistance please do not hesitate to contact me on the above number,

RESTORED HOPE ! IBC AGREE FEASIBILITY STUDY FINDINGS. In late 2005 Ipswich Borough Council provided a grant to The Broomhill Pool Trust to undertake a Feasibility Study. The purpose of the Feasibility Study was to ascertain the viability of reopening Broomhill Pool.

The Feasibility Study Final Report dated December 2006 has now been formally issued by The Broomhill Pool Trust and in a joint statement today Councilor Judy Terry (Portfolio Holder for Culture & Leisure) and Dr Mike Cook (Chairman of Broomhill Pool Trust) announced the findings of the £67,000 study, and outlined the future for Ipswich's iconic 1930's Lido.

Following the success and publicity surrounding the road pricing petition, you can now petition Tony Blair directly on the subject of saving local pools too. Click on link to see the E-Petition.

Local Swimming Baths across England are facing closure because Local Authorities are cutting back funding. Local Swimming baths are essential to local Communities and local schools. In some areas Local Swimming Pools are the only Local Amenity that communities have. We want the Prime Minister to Save Our Local swimming Pools!

Broomhill Pool Trust - Events Programme 2007
The Trust Committee are working to deliver the following program of events and fund raising in 2007.

James Sharpe/Broomhill “Movie Night”.
Venue: Ipswich Film Theatre
Date: 30th April 2007
Details: Premiere of Ipswich born Film Director’s short movie “Letters” plus “The Pool” (both filmed at Broomhill). Plus media campaign to locate other suitable films about Broomhill or Lidos that would compliment the event. Proceeds to the Trust.

May Day Festival.
Venue: May Day Festival, Alexandra Park, Ipswich
Date: 7th May 2007
Details: The Trust will have a stall at this popular event. Exhibition prints, photos and plans + T-Shirts, leaflets, petition + latest updates from Trust Committee members.

Broke Hall Primary School Summer Fete
Venue: Broke Hall Primamry School, Chatsworth Drive, Ipswich
Date: 30 June 2007
Details: The Trust will have a stall at this popular event. Exhibition prints, photos and plans + T-Shirts, leaflets, petition + latest updates from Trust Committee members.

Broomhill “Jitterbug”
Venue: To be confirmed
Date: August/September 2007
Details: In the mid 1930's - as Broomhill was being planned and built - "Jitterbugging" emerged as the latest dance craze to sweep across America. A popular, local jitterbug troop will be recreating this wonderful period, demonstrating the dance and inviting the public to participate. Proceeds to the Trust.

Heritage Open Days
Venue: Broomhill Pool
Date: 8th and 9th September 2007.
Details: Those two rare and special days when the gates of Broomhill are opened to allow the public to view the pool; and leave convinced that this magical and iconic place MUST be restored for future generations !

On Monday 19 February, Ipswich born Film Director James Sharpe filmed his latest short movie "Letters" at Broomhill Pool. Photo stills available on www.savebroomhillpool.org.

The film stars James Fisher (who appeared along side Elijah Wood in Green Street) and Elle Louise Berrie (who appeared in Footballer's Wives). Filming will be complete by early March; and James has offered an exclusive film night to raise funds for the Trust ! Details in due course..

Mark Ling, Broomhill Pool Trust Press Officer, was today interviewed by Ipswich’s new radio station “Town 102”, seeking the Trust’s views on IBC plans for a new £21m indoor swimming pool.

BBC News 24 has a new cultural program exploring communities in the UK. On Thursday, 7 December two BBC News 24 teams visited Ipswich to film various projects and sites of interest. These included Broomhill Pool and Crown Pools.

The Program is due to be broadcast globally on BBC News 24 on Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th December at 0330 and 1530.

Both broadcasts will be available on digital, freeview, cable and satellite! However, those with terrestrial TV will not miss out - the 0330 edition will also be broadcast on BBC1.

However, the Broomhill Trust strongly recommends sleeping off the “hangover” and setting your VTR !!

“Played in Britain” Lecture by Simon Inglis.

Ipswich Museums’ “Ipswich at Play” community heritage project invites you to an illustrated talk by writer and architectural historian Simon Inglis. A passionate and entertaining speaker on Britain’s sporting heritage, Simon is editor of the “Played in Britain” series (which features Janet Smith’s wonderful "Liquid Assets" book featuring open air lidos in Britain) and has just brought out “The Best of Charles Buchan's Football Monthly” (www.playedinbritain.co.uk).

Broomhill Pool features in the current “Ipswich at Play” exhibition at Ipswich Museum, and we are hopeful that Broomhill will be mentioned in Simon’s talk.

This fun evening will be an ideal opportunity to view the “Not all Balls!” exhibition privately, with the added bonus of an integral pay bar! Admission is free.

There’s nothing to prevent people turning up on the night, but for more information or to book a seat contact Ruth Gillan O1473 433544 ruth.gillan@Ipswich.gov.uk.

Get Busy with the Divi !
You can now support the Broomhill Pool Trust as you shop !

The Trust now have a share account with the East of England Co-operative Society.

Every time you use the dividend number at your Co-op the Trust will earn points. Twice a year, in June and December, the board will declare how much profit the group has made and how much each point is worth - expected to be 1p in the £1.