NEWS IN BRIEF
BRITISH GAS POOLS 4 SCHOOLS WINS PM’S BIG SOCIETY AWARD
British Gas Pools 4 Schools, the programme that takes temporary swimming pools to schools and communities across England to teach swimming, has been recognised by Prime Minister David Cameron with a Big Society Award.
A partnership programme between British Gas, the Amateur Swimming Association and Total Swimming, the programme aims to get more children swimming and has already helped 30,000 youngsters across the country learn since its launch in 2009. The initiative constructs temporary pools for up to 12 weeks, often at schools that do not have access to pools. After school hours, the pools are open to the community so that as many people as possible in the local area benefit.
Each school is also visited by an inspirational Olympian who gives a special swimming lesson in the pool.
BRADFORD’S POOLS SET TO BENEFIT FROM £17M REVAMP A plan worth £17m for a new city centre swimming pool plus three further community pools has been unveiled in a report by Bradford council.
Three swimming pools in Bingley, Bowling and Queensbury would be closed if the plan goes ahead. The Richard Dunn sports centre at Odsal, dubbed the city’s “highest and most inefficient consumer of energy” in the report, would also be closed, however no pool would close until alternative sites have been built.
The report said the preferred option including a city centre facility with a 25-metre pool, diving facility, squash courts and a dance studio would contribute to the regeneration of Bradford.
www.swimmingpoolnews.co.uk
STA Relaunches Learn To Swim Programme STA is relaunching its International Learn to Swim
Programme (ILSP) with an exciting range of new award certificates that have been specifically designed to appeal to children progressing through the scheme. The new format, which will be officially
unveiled at LIW 2013, retains the same loveable characters from the current ILSP scheme, but now incorporates a modern colourful twist that makes them age appropriate and visually appealing at each stage of the programme. STA has also added the learning outcomes on each of the certificates to help teachers and parents clarify what a learner has achieved. The STARFISH and STAnley First Steps Series for the youngest learners, the Gold, Silver, Bronze and Platinum awards from the Advanced Swimmer Series, plus all the distance and supporting certificates have also been transformed in line with target age groups.
STA’s ILSP, which has successfully helped millions of children across the globe learn to swim, is the complete
progressive aquatic pathway for learners of all ages. The new improved scheme is even more user friendly and flexible for different teaching pool environments, and aims to build on knowledge and skill development at each level and reward achievement through a range of exciting new certificate and sticker designs.
The renewed scheme will enable learners in all types of pool, including those that are just 1.2m in depth, to complete the progressive award scheme from baby learners to advanced swimmers.
The launch is also supported by a wealth of new teaching resource materials and a range of new Good Strokes stickers. The STA’s Success Tracker, which has been designed to help parents track their child’s success through the ILSP, has also been updated to reflect the changes.
STA
01922 645097
www.sta.co.uk
Pearl Anniversary For Devon Pool And Spa Firm
Harris Pools of Torquay, Devon are celebrating their 30th anniversary in business. It’s all the more satisfying for the multi-award winning company that this impressive milestone has been reached against a backdrop of the worst economic conditions in the UK since the 1930s.
Harris Pools were born in the spare bedroom of founder Mike Harris’ house back in 1983, and since those humble beginnings have now grown into one of the most prestigious and respected pool companies in England, operating out of Torbay’s largest pool and hot tub showroom in the Ellacombe area of Torquay. Commenting on why Harris Pools continues to go from strength to strength, especially during a time when many others in the industry have struggled or gone to the wall, Mike says: “We deliver an attention to detail and a
meticulous personal service which other companies simply cannot offer. We have a fantastic team of industry- qualified engineers and showroom staff who have worked tirelessly over the years to make Harris
Pools synonymous with excellence in service and customer care. Perhaps this is why so much of our work comes to us via customer recommendations and referrals.”
Left to Right: Kris German, Glen Gardiner, Mike Harris and Sally Harris
This attention to detail and uncompromising attitude to quality and service has also earned the company wider recognition, having won an impressive number of industry awards over the years, including in 2012 the highly coveted SPATA (Swimming Pool & Allied Trades Association) Pool Of The Year award.
The 30th anniversary party also coincides with Mike announcing his retirement and the firm
passing into the hands of current employees Kris German and Glen Gardiner. Mike says: “I am
delighted that the business is going forward in the very safe hands of Kris and Glen. They have many, many years combined experience in the industry and are held in enormous affection and respect by all our customers. They were also instrumental in developments like the
launch of our new online store and Facebook page, meaning customers can now either come into the showroom to pick up their needs like they always have done, or, if they prefer, order online at their convenience and have it delivered to their door. I know that they will continue focussing on exemplary
customer service and take the business to new heights under their leadership by delighting our customers in the next 30 years in the same way we have for the last 30.”
Harris Pools Ltd 01803 296336
The Harris Pools service team ready for another busy day
www.harrispools.co.uk SPN October 2013 9
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