Free Swimming!
- 27 March 2009 16:3118411DDC Release************
FREE SWIMMING
Dover District Council and Vista Leisure have been working in partnership to roll out the Government's free swimming initiative to those aged 60 and over - and are pleased to announce that the two year scheme is launched on Wednesday 1 April at Dover Leisure Centre and Tides Leisure Centre in Deal.
Members of the public aged 60 and over can enjoy free swimming at both centres during public swim times. Proof of age is needed, for example bus pass, driving licence, passport or birth certificate.
Dover District Council's Cabinet Member for sport, Cllr Mrs Julie Rook, said: "With a growing population in the Dover District of people aged 60 and over, this initiative is ideal to support people in leading a healthy and active lifestyle. I am looking forward to seeing the impact in our community and hope that more people will swim more often."
In addition to the Government led initiative, the Primary Care Trust is providing funding for a limited number of targeted subsidised sessions for children and adults at the two leisure centres. Places will become available after Easter, and further details are available on the Vista Leisure website.
Vista Leisure's Chief Executive Kevin Fordham said: "We are delighted to be working in partnership to deliver both the swimming initiatives. Swimming is great fun and if people in our district take regular exercise of this nature it can really improve their health and well-being."
For the swimming pool programmes and more information, please see the Vista Leisure website at www.vistaleisure.com or call Dover Leisure Centre on 01304 201145 or Tides Leisure Centre on 01304 373399.
-ends-email: dover7@msn.com - 27 March 2009 16:3818412Im telling you this is a great country if you are aged 60 or over...I mean there are free bus passes, free prescriptions, free eye tests...I mean its shangri-la...pinch me why dontcha!!
And now with free swimming too! Great stuff!
There is also help for children and adults generally as well, also mentioned above. An excellent government led initiative, and excellent work from DDC. Credit where credit's due.email: dover7@msn.com - Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
27 March 2009 16:5118414consider yorself pinched.happy aprill fools day to you.
- 27 March 2009 17:2618419Yes and both of us are over 60years old ,good times see you in the pool.
Vic M
Ps Come on Sue you and me going in holding hands you can have your hat on and wear that new swim suit with the small top. - 27 March 2009 21:4518451i am trying desperately not to picture this event.
- 27 March 2009 22:2018458Only a rinse in carbolic will do it Howard, trust me.
- 27 March 2009 22:3718460Come on it would be a great event, i can just see it all,headlines in the local next week.
Vic M - Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
27 March 2009 23:2418467oh no whale watch head for those quick. - 16 April 2009 20:5219649see my letters in today's papers and Gwyn article on page 2 of the ExpressIf you knew what I know,we would both be in trouble!
- 16 April 2009 21:3219656I read all the letters but not sure why I shouls subsidise the under 16s or over 60s to go for a swim - if they are unhealthy that is their problem.... the sea is always free !!Been nice knowing you :)
- 16 April 2009 22:2219663I am with Paul aka Scotchie on this.
7 out of the 12 Councils in kent are not participating at all in this scheme and given the financial contraints DDC is under and will face next year I am amazed they are.
If I had one of the two positions I held in my time at DDC, when I had responsibility for budgets affecting the pool, I would certainly not have even entertained participating in this scheme. It is wholly inappropriate at a time when the Council is facing serious financial crisis. - 16 April 2009 22:5219669paul
the over sixties are not being subsidised, they have been paying taxes all their lives.
they are now entitled to some off peak services. - 17 April 2009 08:0819688Well said Howard.
- 17 April 2009 08:5819692Well as someone who has a child who cannot swim I would have welcomed the free swimming for kids.
I cannot afford to pay for swimming lessons for my child. Not only this but we have constant complaining about young kids having nothing to do, and yet an opening comes up and Dover doesn't take advantage of it.
So we have the sea?? Great, but it is not suitable to help teach a child to swim.
My child has just started going swimming with the school, but this only runs for 6 weeks, so not really enough time for the child to learn and become confident. If DDC is going to do it for one group then they should do it for both. I personally do not think it fair.
I do worry about my youngests weight. There is a history of being big on both my side of the family and my husbands, we take the little one to Taekwando and we encourage healthy eating, but it doesn't seem enough, and free subsidised swimming would have helped both not only her fitness, but would have taught her a valuable life saving skill. - 17 April 2009 09:1319694Subsidised swimming for those aged over 60 or under 16?
Pah!
What about ME??
Mandie, I feel I've heard vaguely in the background of conversations that there is some kind of passport scheme, whereby it's possible to get a pass for a certain number of gym/exercise sessions supported by the NHS. is that right? Does anyone know?The Dover War Memorial Project
www.doverwarmemorialproject.org.uk - 17 April 2009 11:5819705I see that BarryW mentions financial contraints DDC is under and will face next year. Isn't this a smokescreen so that a Unitary Authority by the back door can be imposed by the East Kent political elite at a size and area they deem?
- 17 April 2009 16:3619709Ashford dropped out I believe because this is a bit of a gamble, if it is too well taken up and all the over 60s and under 16s take part then it could have massive cost implications - it could result in a loss of all daytime swimming income !!Been nice knowing you :)
- 17 April 2009 16:5119711Really Sid - I know nothing about unitary authority and in fact it is something I would be against. Financial constraints mean just that - huge spending cuts are on the way remember, they are unavoidable whoever wins the next general election.
- 17 April 2009 18:4519713Yes really BarryW. There was talk of a unitary that would include Dover about ten years ago and it may be in the pipeline some time in the future. The trouble for the political elite [the ruling party in all East Kent councils at this time]is that population wise for a larger council to replace DDC etc the new unitary would likely encompass Canterbury, Thanet and Dover councils. They want to include Shepway in their plans that's why the Folkestone authority is part of these so-called dual arrangements. Why is is, and why do Shepway want to be included? Do the maths, eh.
When will the people have a say on this unitary by the back door then BarryW, I'm sure your mates have discussed it. The answer as far as their concerned is never, what a surprise. - 17 April 2009 19:0419715You will find there are a lot more functions that work between a lot of councils in Kent = Ashford doing things with Canterbury and Maidstone and Shepway and Dover, Shepway with Dover, Dover with Thanet, etc etcBeen nice knowing you :)