On Thursday 2 March, we held our first Annual General Meeting (AGM). We updated local residents on the progress we have made so far and presented Arthur Awards to all the people who have worked hard to try to save Arthur Hill pool and gym. We also held a raffle with prizes donated by local businesses.
We were very grateful and pleased to see how many people showed up – the room in the Warehouse was full to capacity and it was a great demonstration that the local community remains passionate about Arthur Hill pool and gym. Thanks to everyone who came – and thanks also to Mrs Kakar for providing the amazing curry!
Date for diary – Reading Borough Council will be making a decision about whether to accept our Community Bid on 10 April. Please make your views known by emailing Councillors, spreading the word and coming along to the meeting.
Progress so far
Chris Beales, the Chair of the Directors, updated local residents on the progress we have made so far. Despite Reading Council’s closure of the pool on 18 December, we still managed to raise over £10,000 – smashing our target. We successfully set up a new Community Interest Company (CIC), as agreed at the community meeting on 17 November 2016. We named the company ‘Arthur Hill Save Our Swimming (SOS)’ and appointed an initial Board of Directors. We’ve also created a business plan which we’ve submitted to Reading Council, set up a working group of 14 people and launched our new website.
The immediate aims of the new company are to keep Arthur Hill open at least until the new pool opens in Palmer Park; to work with Reading Council; to coordinate raising money for the pool; to establish a 3-5 year business plan and to promote swimming and sport in East Reading.
We’re busy recruiting new members – lifetime membership costs just £1 and will ensure the community is shaping and guiding the company. You can join by contacting us at arthur.hill.pool@gmail.com
You can read the full AGM presentation, including details on our accounts, business plan and full company objectives, on the website under News and Documents – Progress Updates.
Arthur Awards
By the miracle of time travel, Alderman Arthur Hill was present at the meeting to award certificates to campaigners and prizes to lucky raffle winners. Full details of the award winners below.
Thanks to everyone who donated raffle prizes and to all the people who have worked so hard to support the campaign to save Arthur Hill pool and gym. Thanks also to Phil, aka Alderman Arthur Hill, and Peter who gave out the prizes.
Best pool attendant- Joint winners: all pool attendants including Steve, Danny, Omari, Luke, Aaron, Sam, Stu and casual workers
Best fitness instructors – Joint winners: all instructors including Amanda, Bob, Martin, Don
Best swimming teacher – Melanie Prendiville
Fastest circuit challenge (male) – Mick Brookner
Fastest circuit challenge (female) – Lena
Longest continuous centre user – Phil
Young hero – Evan Herath, for arranging for St Johns School to organise a non-uniform day to raise funds for our appeal
Hardest working fundraisers – Joint winners: Ashley Middlewick, for organising 10k fun run and the Chislett family, who swam their combined ages in lengths of Arthur Hill Pool to raise funds
‘Early bird catches the worm’ award for early morning swimming – Richard Wilson
Community award for clubs using the pool – Reading Dolphins swimming club for swimmers with disabilities.
Most inspirational character – Mark Marten, for regular attendance and hard work in spinning and circuits
Special award for persistence – Roger Lightfoot, for persistent questions to Reading Borough Council and regular letters to the papers about the pool
Special award for catering and fine food – Tom Lake, for preparing a special Arthur Hill Pool cake for 105th birthday evening
Best Dry Swim Challenge video – Gerard Stewart
Booby prize – Reading Borough Council, for closing the pool 🙂
Arthur Hill SOS News 