In the swim - South Molton pool saved

South Molton’s popular swimming pool is set to re-open on April 8th with a new name and with new owners taking over running it.

SMART Swim Centre takes its name from the first letters of South Molton Aquatics, Recreation & Training. The pool closed on October 1st last year with the previous operator, 1610 Leisure Trust, blaming spiralling energy and running costs leading to a forecast loss of around £30,000.

“I watched and read the fallout of South Molton losing their pool, and the sadness everyone felt,” said Lisa Bousted, Operations Director of SMART Swim Centre. “Pools across the country are closing down. We are told exercise is good for our physical and mental health, and yet opportunities are being taken away from us.”

“I want to make a difference and I want to make people feel better about themselves. My family and I are passionate about this industry and this pool.”

South Molton’s swimming pool was built on land owned by the town council in 1996 following a public fundraising campaign. Despite a £146,000 grant funded refurbishment in 2016, the original trustees struggled to keep it afloat and the sports facility was taken over by the charity 1610 in 2019, but the dramatic rise in energy prices meant they too couldn’t sustain the losses.

“The town council were very pleased to work with SMART Swim Centre to facilitate a smooth take over of the pool from 1610,” South Molton’s Mayor Stephen Lock told Molton Monthly. “I urge the people of our town and the wider area to fully support this company in their new venture.”

The planned timetable offers public swimming at various times of the day for different types of pool user, although the SMART team say they’ll adapt to meet the needs of the community and welcome feedback and suggestions.

Swim England is calling for urgent government support for the industry, stating that energy costs at pools increased from £500m in 2019 to £1.2 billion last year.

SMART Swim Centre is a private company without access to grants, so with two previous operators failing to make the South Molton pool pay - how will they be different?

“We are totally self funded and have access no grants, funds or loans. We have to make this work for that reason alone!” said Lisa, whose family will be involved in running the pool and are rooted in the local community.

Both Lisa Bousted, and her daughter and business partner Charlotte Smart, are “at the top end of the aquatic industry in terms of qualifications, experience and knowledge.”

They are currently looking for staff and volunteers, and ask anyone wanting to train as a teacher or lifeguard to get in touch.

To help the business thrive, there will refreshments available, a swim shop and a training room for teachers and lifeguards offering a range of national qualifications.

They also plan to host swim parties and offer sensory play sessions and other ‘dry land’ activities for youngsters.

“I want create a place for the people of South Molton and further afield to come to and enjoy,” Lisa told Molton Monthly

“Time is the most precious thing we have and I want to give people time to swim, to chat, to have a coffee, to feel welcomed, to feel safe and be part of a community.”

You can find more information and swimming and activity timetables on the SMART Swim Centre Facebook page and website (see advert on page 19): smartswimcentre.co.uk

Drought continues, despite recent rain

We’re starting spring 2023 officially still in a drought, which doesn’t bode well for the year ahead unless there’s significant rainfall in coming months, weather experts say. The warning comes as the Met Office recorded the driest February in England for 30 years.

South West Water says the winter has seen increased rainfall, which has helped stabilise reservoir levels across the region, however, they remain lower than average for this time of year. While Wistlandpound Reservoir is full again, Roadford Lake (pictured below) which is the main supply for North Devon, is still just under 60% full.

David Harris, South West Water’s Drought and Resilience Director, said, “The South West’s water resources are under immense and increasing pressure. Our current system relies heavily on rainfall, and climate change has shown us that we need to be developing climateindependent sources of water.”

“We continue to take every step necessary to manage water resources carefully, fixing leaks, investing in new capacity and planning for all possible outcomes.”

They are still urging customers in North Devon to continue to save every drop of water where possible. A hosepipe ban remains in force in parts of Torridge and the whole of Cornwall.

South West Water is sharing water saving tips and is offering free devices as part of its Save Every Drop campaign.

Day to day activities around the house can use a lot of water from 50 litres a cycle on a washing machine, up to 9 litres every time you flush the loo, to using 14 litres for a dishwasher cycle or even 30 litres for handwashing dishes.

Water saving tips can be found online here: southwestwater.co.uk/services/savewater/#/

England call-up for Emma

South Molton’s Emma Sing has been selected for England’s Red Roses rugby squad to play in the prestigious 2023 Women’s Six Nations tournament this spring.

The matches against Wales, Scotland, Ireland, Italy and France are taking place now and throughout April. All of England’s matches are being shown live on TV on BBC2 and on BBC iPlayer online.

The former South Molton Rugby Club player, who now plays for the Gloucester Hartpury team, scored her first try in only her second appearance in the senior England side against Italy last April. Head coach Simon Middleton named a 42-player squad for the tournament, seen as the start of preparation for the 2025 World Cup.

Vigil for Ukraine

Photos by Simon Ellery

People travelled from across North Devon to hold a vigil to mark the first anniversary of the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24th.

Many of those present outside the museum in The Square in Barnstaple, were refugees who have fled the war and are now living with host families in our area.

The poignant event was organised by the local charity The Pickwell Foundation, along with the organisation North Devon & Torridge with Ukraine and local councils.

So far 313 Ukrainians have settled in North Devon since the start of the war. The Pickwell Foundation is leading calls for more potential host families to come forward.

Jobs to do in April

1. Prune early flowering shrubs, such as Chaenomeles and Forsythia when they have finished flowering.

2. Divide snowdrops as they die back. Plant bulbs singly at the same depth at which they were growing previously.

3. Once tomato seedlings have their first true leaves, plant into individual pots. Plant them deeply, with their seed leaves resting on the surface of the potting compost.

4. Once leaf buds open, start formative pruning of plum and cherry trees.

5. Ensure birds are not nesting before trimming evergreen hedges.

Now is a great time to get your borders planted up again. The soil is beginning to warm up and by now you should be able to see which shrubs and perennials have not survived the cold weather over the winter.

As usual we have large selection of perennials at the nursery suitable for all aspects and soil types. From full sun to full shade and well-drained soil to boggy soil.

Until next month, Jenny Howells

VOUCHER: 10% off all 2 litre perennials until 30th April 2023

April Opening Times

Open 7 days a week

Monday – Saturday 9-5

Sunday 10-4

Farm Life - shop local to avoid food shortages

by Roger Hill

Last month I wrote ‘food supply chains are fragile’. Little did I think that, within two weeks, my words would become reality. Headlines such as ‘Supermarket shelves empty’, ‘Rationing of tomatoes’ and ‘Food shortages’. But why are some foods in short supply?

It’s certainly a combination of events. Weather is always a factor, here and abroad. Rising fuel and energy costs. Shortage of labour. The war in Ukraine.

Personally I get quite agitated about food waste. From that which is left on the plate, to all that is thrown in the bin, and not forgetting left in the ground because it is the wrong size, shape or colour. So what to do?

British farmers have the ability to ensure shelves should never be empty of any food that can be produced in this country. A return to seasonal produce would help. I would also advocate to buy local. Our market stalls (photo opposite), farm shops and ‘pick your own’ locations offer an array of quality, fresh produce.

We might not need to ‘dig for victory’ yet, but if we all grew a little ourselves it is not only an enjoyable experience but also an education for our younger generations.

‘Til next time, Roger #TuppertheTractor (website: quoit-at-cross.co.uk)