49 GEORGE HARDY “The word


rollercoaster comes to mind when I think of this project!.”


Trust Project Manager This is such a big moment for the Trust and the community as a whole. It has taken years of hard work. I remember first going to an indoor pool meeting over 60 years ago as a small boy and sitting in the Guildhall with my parents - the place was jammed full. Everybody was very enthusiastic and started the fundraising off by putting half crowns, florins and silver sixpences into a hat that was passed round the audience. The money raised was later put towards the outdoor pool, which was built as an alternative in the 1980s. so here we are over half a century later and the long-awaited indoor pool is finally a reality. The word rollercoaster comes to mind when I think of this project! There have been some great moments when we have been flying and celebrating, then moments of absolute despair. A major breakthrough for us was being able to negotiate an agreement with HMRC enabling us to be able to reclaim the £460,000 VAT on the construction cost, without which we would not have been able to continue with the project. The initial plans had to be scaled back to keep within our budget but we have still ended up with a building that is functional, attractive and economical to run and most important completed on time and within budget.


YVONNE COTTAM Secretary and fundraiser I’m so pleased the doors are actually open for the people of Dartmouth who have supported us over many years. The final sum was £2.3 million; it was up to Ray Bridges and other members of the Trust to go for the larger cash sums, my job was to organise small-scale fundraising projects in town. I’ve been behind all the quizzes, bingo nights, tennis tournaments, tabletop sales, fetes and coffee mornings over the past few years. Each one raising between £100 and £2,000 but the constant drip-feeding of cash has all mounted up. I’m also in charge of the sponsored tile project which has been a huge hit and made over £3,000. People donated £10 to cover the cost of a tile and in return their name will be recorded in a wave of names on the pool window. The fundraising won’t end now the pool has opened. There will be ongoing maintenance costs to pay along the way, as the Trust will always own the pool with a company coming into run it. It has been hard work at times but I do enjoy organising and planning events. I didn’t see myself doing all this when I first became secretary! I remember going to a meeting called by Geoffrey Newman and when he asked for volunteers to help with fundraising I put my hand up and then realised I was the only one! However, people have been very helpful and I have my regulars I can call on for support. There was a time when my house and two sheds were full of boxes of brick-a-brac, clothes and books. People have been so helpful throughout the project. In the last few months we have had regular volunteers coming in to paint, sweep and tidy. Local builders have also given their time and supplies for free. I love seeing people’s reactions when they first walk into the building. It’s fresh, clean and beautifully laid out with artwork from students at the academy. Everyone will be able to use the facility; there’s a learner pool and a hoist for anyone who needs help getting in or out. We will have school times, lane swimming, exercise classes and clubs such as canoe and sub-aqua.


“when he


asked for volunteers to help with


fundraising I put my hand up and then realised I was the only one!.”


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