RORY PAYS TRIBUTE TO WIGTON BATHS TRUST: ‘A COMMUNITY ASSET FOR ALL TO SHARE’

Rory Stewart MP, whose backing of the ‘Save the Pool’ campaign in Wigton has been well-documented, visited the swimming pool on Saturday, where he learned more about the many community initiatives it is involved in, and to personally thank some of the team involved in the successful campaign to retain the historic baths for the community to use.

A Community Trust was established to take over the running of the amenity in the long-term, which is now a fully-registered company and charity. Since then, Wigton Baths Trust has lengthened opening hours, introduced new sessions (including Aqua Babes and One to One sessions), and train new lifeguards. The ladies changing rooms were refurbished and more improvements are in the pipeline.

Rory Stewart met with some of the lifeguards and with Mave Tyas, Deputy Chair of Trustees, and Trustee Anna Swindells, and chatted about how important a community asset the pool is. He gave his support to their latest fundraising initiative, a ‘Bag for Life’ designed by Wigton and Solway schools whose pupils wanted to raise funds for the pool, and who came up with the motto ‘Support Us, Swim With Us, Share With Us’. The bag is printed in Wigton and distributed in the area.

Rory Stewart said: “Wigton Baths is a true community asset, one for everyone to share, and I’m thrilled to see it going from strength to strength. I am only too happy to continue to offer any support I can to ensure its long-term survival, but meanwhile it seems to be thriving under the able leadership of the Wigton Baths Trust, whom I congratulate.”

Mave Tyas said: “The staff at Wigton Baths were very pleased to receive a visit from Rory Stewart on Saturday. It was his first visit to the Baths but he demonstrated an in-depth knowledge of the recent history regarding the threatened closure, the work of the Wigton Baths Trust in rescuing the building, and its efforts to further develop the Baths as a Community Pool. He was particularly interested in the initiatives to sustain the Pool, and the degree of support enjoyed by the Baths from the community.”

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