hampton pool trust Poolside Chat News from the charity securing the future of Hampton Pool
WINTER 2015
Hampton Pool Trust is a small independent not for profit company and educational charity. It is run by volunteers with a vision to maintain Hampton Pool as a safe, welcoming, enjoyable, sustainable and inspirational heated, public open air swimming environment, all year round. Registered in England No 1870925, limited by guarantee. Charity No 294117
Get on board! Not perfect – Would you like to become a member or Trustee of Hampton Pool Trust? Hampton Pool Trust members are but pretty good! passionate about the facility and how it is run. If you care about the future of the pool then why not become a member of the ‘company’, or even a Trustee? Contents: A company? by Daphne Wharton, Deputy Chair of Hampton Pool Trust Satisfaction survey Hampton Pool Trust is registered as pages 1 & 2 both a charity and a company. The Hampton Pool Trust received a generous thumbs up in a recent company owns the building and the Letter from HPT Chair pool and exists to secure the long term customer survey as it celebrated 30 years of growing success since page 2 future of the pool for community use. saving the pool from closure in 1985. Meet the new Trustees page 2 Limited liability and responsibility Thames Turbo Each member of the company is liable 99.9% of the people surveyed in a the poll said that • Removal of the large vending machine in reception in the unlikely scenario of bankruptcy page 3 they would recommend Hampton pool to a friend to create a more open aspect and room for – but it is limited to only £25. There are customers to relax. Building development over 100 members of the company and with 22% stating that Hampton Pool was perfect! page 3 • Two umbrellas have been positioned by the learner they elect the Board of Trustees who are The vast majority were also hugely complementary pool to create protection from the weather for parents Operations update responsible for the general oversight of about our management contractors YMCA LSW page 4 the running of the pool. who manage the pool for all of us. • Kiosk now selling hot drinks as well as ice creams and snacks Poolside Swim & BBQ Become a Trustee There were also suggestions about how to make It is sometimes difficult catering to all our user Club news page 4 HPT Trustees attend a Board meeting Hampton Pool better especially in terms of the groups. We have however made improvements Teddington Masters once a month to oversee YMCA LSW’s buildings, requests included this year so that regular lane swimmers are not page 4 (our appointed managing agent) • changing village for families with children day-to-day operations of the pool inconvenienced by swim lessons by putting in We are a charity that and to progress the HPT strategic plan. • larger and better gym an extra lane. We are proud to be a family pool depends on voluntary • bigger café with more covered seating and to encourage children to swim but we assistance and donations Sound interesting? If you are and shade for the summer also provide adult only sessions on a Monday, to secure the future passionate about Hampton Pool • improved changing areas Wednesday and Friday between 10-12am. of the pool. and would like to join the team • overhaul of the building and car park. aiming to make it an inspiration The 112 responses also made suggestions about If you can help in for the popularity of sustainable, That is exactly what Hampton Pool Trust has how to make your visit to Hampton Pool more any way, please get in touch with us at open air swimming, and the good had on their agenda since the public consultations enjoyable in the future: more regular customer info@ management of a local community of 2013 which you can read more about in this service training, employing an additional full facility, then please contact edition of Poolside Chat. hamptonpooltrust. time cleaner, improving the website, improving org.uk [email protected] the pool surround, ensuring that the pool robot Improving customer care was also mentioned in Thanks to the London Get in touch the survey and Simon Bailey and his team are goes into the pool regularly to clean the bottom, Borough of Richmond working hard to improve your experience of the new cardio equipment in the gym and improving upon Thames, Hampton We welcome your contributions pool with key changes including: the café menu. Contd. on page 2 Fuel Allotment Charity and feedback. Please drop us a line and the local community at [email protected] for their financial support. HPT Chair’s letter Welcome to our winter 2015 edition of Poolside Chat
hampton pool trust
Returning from a weekend trip, visiting friends in Somerset, my wife We have three new trustees who Jeanette and I took a detour to the Portishead Open Air Pool. We have joined Hampton Pool Trust found a thriving open air pool run by volunteers that was popular Fergal Cawley despite the strong wind off the cold Bristol Channel. In Fergal’s younger years he was a competitive Just by chance we also met Angie Butler, a trustee Full bloom swimmer. Moving to the area in 2010 allowed him of the Jubilee Pool in Penzance, and Janet Wilkinson, Another Pool tradition that I really enjoy, is the to rediscover the joy of outdoor swimming at Hampton. who has made it her mission to swim in every beautiful floral displays that are the hard work His wife swims at the pool and his two eldest children Four of the public open air swimming pool in the UK. of a dedicated band from the Poolside Swim have learned to swim here and he is hoping his youngest Calendar Why am I going on about other pools you are and BBQ Club. We have gained several awards team l to r: will follow this tradition. Fergal’s work experience is probably asking? Well, it reminds me how from Richmond in Bloom – see Betsy’s article on Chris finance based and after seeing a request for new popular open air swimming pools have become, gardening on the back page. Pickard, members he put himself forward for the Board to Christine offer his professional experience and many years and how lucky we are to have Hampton Pool Special calendar on sale now Berry, of involvement with pools/sportclubs. on our doorstep. In the six months or so since Last but not least – have you seen the new William becoming the interim Chair of the Hampton Hampton Pool Calendar for 2016? It has been Redfern and Pool Trust Board, I’ve become even more aware produced by another group of enthusiasts who Carrie Lees. Kate Thomson that as well as being responsible for ensuring the Photograph are raising money for a lift to the Sun Deck Café. by Gareth Kate joined the Board in July. With 20 years experience future of the Pool, the Trust must also improve Please support this worthy cause and buy a Harmer and develop the facilities so that it continues to calendar for your friends and relatives. (c/o RTT) in marketing she is a member of the Marketing Committee be a valuable resource for our local community. and has also taken over as editor of Poolside Chat. That is why Hampton Pool Trust is working on a The calendar, the Kate has lived in Twickenham for seven years and plan, with our management contractors YMCA Picnic Concerts Hampton Pool has become a much loved family London South West, to enhance the changing and the hanging destination. Kate grew facilities, the gym and the much-loved Sun Deck baskets show up in Cheltenham where Café. Additionally we want to make Hampton how people get there is a huge lido (although not heated Pool more sustainable and green by using enjoyment from these open air or open all year round!) alternative forms of energy, and new technology and feels there is to heat and clean the water. The plans are still community pools, not just from something so special evolving, but they are based on some of the and worth preserving feedback from you, the Pool’s customers. swimming and leisure, but also in public, open air pools Dependence on fundraising by having fun across the UK. The scope of the improvements will, of course, volunteering, depend on how much funding we can raise. giving back and Part of the fundraising efforts are the fantastic getting involved. series of Summer Picnic Concerts. We had So next time you another successful season this year. The support are enjoying the we received from volunteers and the music- Pool, think about Richard Jackson loving public was really inspiring – kudos to one all the benefits customer who I understand attended every it brings to our Richard Jackson joined the concert, and sampled every drink at the bar too. community. If you are travelling around the UK, Board a year ago and as a I really enjoyed the atmosphere at the concerts why not take your own little detour and sample founder member of the – it is a unique blend of the goodwill of all the the delights of one of the other great open air City of London Thameside volunteers, the good nature and enjoyment of pools around London and the UK. All of these Water Polo Club Association the audience and the friendly professionalism precious facilities hold rewards for those who he brings great insights into of the Pool staff. Oh, and not forgetting the great swim in them or who are involved in saving and the use of the pool. He is also involved in the acts chosen by the concert team, who are all running them. Enjoy! ● Stock Exchange Swimming Club and organises over volunteers and spend most of the preceding Mark James, Hampton Pool Trust Interim Chair 20 events at the Tooting Lido each year so we are lucky 12 months organising the concerts. to have such useful skill and experience.
Jean Hughes
Continued from front cover Not perfect – but pretty good Jean has just been appointed to the Board, Some suggestions are difficult to action because to respond to the problems and issues that have having been slightly of the need to keep a balance in all our activities been raised. An exciting new initiative to facilitate obsessed with open for example your feedback is now up and running on the first air swimming since • the pool temperature 28°C is the optimum page of the Hampton Pool website. In the middle her school days in temperature for all the activities going on of the page you will see a blue button which says Windermere when in the water compliments, complaints or comments. swimming lessons took place in the lake. • spin dryers in the changing rooms have been Whether online (via the blue button on the Jean is a solicitor; looked into previously, however we are working pool’s website) or on paper forms (available at very close to our power limit and do not want to she and her family have lived in Twickenham for overload the system however this will be addressed reception), please keep telling us what you think fourteen years and they love the pool. Her daughter in the new development. about Hampton Pool and the experiences that Alice learned to swim there and most of the extended you have when using the pool. Your comments Your feedback from the customer survey has been family have been treated to the delights of the balmy are invaluable in helping us to maintain the allure really helpful in informing HPT and staff about waters followed by Dabbie’s cooking. Jean is deeply of this wonderful community facility. ● what we are doing right and what we need to do committed to the future of the pool and is looking forward to contributing where she can. ● page 2 Poolside Chat Winter 2015 Hampton Pool, the home of Thames Turbo Triathlon Club Update on Hampton Miles Irving, Thames Turbo Pool redevelopment t was 1985, the year that Mikhail Gorbachev came to I power, Live Aid took place and Boris Becker first won, but Grahame Hadden, Technical director and building team also the inauspicious start of Thames Turbo Triathlon Club and their association with Hampton Pool. Started by four revious proposals for the redevelopment By locating this new equipment to a new building friends in late 1985 who loved swimming. The club has P of Hampton Pool have retained existing at the end of the carpark along with new high gone from strength to strength. Taking the name from facilities simply adding on to the existing efficiency water heaters, it would enable the one of the members who drove a Porsche Turbo to training, buildings. The problem has been that this limits complete west end of the site to become available the club is now not only one of the oldest but probably available space and restricts development due for a new larger gym and studios and changing the biggest Triathlon Club in the country. to the current footprint. rooms. New heaters would include a Combined 1991 National Club Relay Championship Winners Howard Fulford, In the planned redevelopment however we have Heat and Power (CHP) unit, are well suited to Peter Moysey (founder), Danny Ashley, Chris Sly investigated a ‘clean slate’ approach, working Hampton Pool as it will provide some of the with the architect and mechanical & electrical pool heating requirements and a majority of the engineers to determine how to best serve electrical load for the site. The new plant room Hampton Pool for the long term future. could be built and made ready for use with little disruption to current operations. The feasibility study that has been completed shows that the existing main pool plant equipment, It is proposed that the new building would be are from 1940 and 1960, with some of the pumps eco friendly and sustainable, with low heating rescued from Twickenham baths in 1984 after it requirements and natural ventilation where too had been closed. While this equipment is old possible. Roof mounted, Photo Voltaic Cells and robust it is not very efficient in terms of power (PV)s will generate additional electricity for pool or water usage for example: use, excess power will be exported back to the National Grid. We have also looked at Solar • The filters require “backwashing” every few days Thermal panels for pool heating and heating – more frequently in summer months – and all the water used goes to waste. shower water. Exciting times ahead! ● Today the club comprises around 400 members both junior • New developments in both pump and filter technology could vastly reduce our water and and senior from all walks of life and all abilities. There are power consumption whist improving water quality. training sessions at Hampton Pool most days preparing members for every race distance and type of multisport. The club has an Adult race team (TT i-ride Race Team) and a junior development squad, which helps our junior athletes Summer Picnic Concerts ALL Sell Out! to achieve British Triathlon Academy status. Thames Turbo is a charity with a purpose to promote participation in triathlon Tim Lawes, Series Producer and Director of Hampton Pool Trust through the provision of facilities for people to participate in swimming, cycling and running. Our Race Series is Already, we’ve seen bands that we’d really like to specifically aimed at helping new triathletes into the sport. present to you and bands that we thought you would love but have left us disappointed. We’ve had offers out on some bands since September, but we’ve yet to get a firm yes from anyone. We’d like to get the programme confirmed before Christmas, but know that we won’t. We’re Over the years the club has attracted many talented athletes, working hard to get the programme confirmed who have gone on to achieve great things in the world of by the end of January. We know that it will sport, including probably take us until the end of February! • Tim Don, who came up through the junior ranks and went As soon as we have programme finalised, we’ll on to finish 10th in Sydney 2000, and was crowned World let you know. We hope that we can devise a Champion in 2006. programme that you are as enthusiastic for • Richard Stannard a former lifeguard at the pool, became Aquathlon Sell out opening night with ELO Experience & T-Rextasy as you were for this year’s series. And, most world champion three times and is still very active in the sport. importantly, we are working hard to delight you • Spencer Smith, who after winning the Junior World title, went he annual Summer Picnic Concerts Series is on each and every night at least as much as we on to win two senior world titles and two European titles. T Hampton Pool Trust’s principle fundraising did this year. We’re all looking forward to the • Stuart Hayes rose to number three in the Triathlon World activity, which only happens because of the hard 2016 Series, We hope to see you there. Do come, rankings and represented team GB in the London Olympics, work, dedication and commitment of an army of have fun and help to support the Pool. ● performing the role of domestique for the Brownlee brothers volunteers and the Pool management and staff. and still competes today. Each Easter, Spring and Summer Bank Holidays see Work on the 2016 Concerts season is already well Hampton Pool turned into a perfect place for Triathlon, under way. I’m writing this in early November. We as the club runs the had the first main team meeting in early September, highly successful when we reviewed our sell out 2015 season, our Triathlon Race Series most successful yet, and all the lessons learned. using Hampton Pool Our mission is to develop a programme for 2016 as it’s HQ. The Race that sells out again and then delights you all at series attracts around every Concert you attend. 400 competitors and We talk with people, produce long lists and work is ideal for novices through them to get to shorter lists. We talk with because of the staggered and meet with agents. We read reviews and listen start pool swim, it’s a to live sets on You Tube and, of course, we go to friendly and relaxed see bands, potential headline bands, potential atmosphere. So why support bands and potential tribute bands. We-e-e-e-e-e-ell – Lulu thrills a packed house not give triathlon and Thames Turbo a tri! ● If you haven’t done already, register for advance warning of our Summer Picnic Concerts at www.hamptonpool.co.uk/register.php raceseries.thamesturbo.com Poolside Chat Winter 2015 page 3 Blooming marvellous Betsy Edwards, Poolside Swim and BBQ Club gardeners Operations update Hampton Pool is managed on behalf of The judges for the annual competition advise Hampton Pool Trust by YMCA London South West. each year on what we should do to improve The ethos of this arrangement is ‘Partnership the site and each year we try and build on our working within a management agreement’ hampton pool trust success, for example: • The stump has been removed by the main gate and this area is now in the process of being made into a Lifeguarding at Hampton Pool butterfly garden and the Royal Parks Gardeners cut back the foliage and trimmed the trees in the car park. Angela Garett, • This year we have window boxes and new pots YMCA LSW Chief Operations Officer at the main entrance to the pool. The labels have been left in place so that people can find out the name of the plants. ifeguards have a critical role at Hampton Pool, he Poolside Swim & Barbecue Club swim four • We also planted a large tomato plant and runner L supervising the safety and rescue of swimmers. T times per week over spring and summer at beans for the nursery class children who come to the All our lifeguards are strong swimmers and Hampton Pool. pool to enjoy. They took the produce to talk about in trained in first aid, certified in water rescue. ‘Show and Tell’ sessions back at their nurseries. As well as volunteering with the bar, stewarding Did you know? Many customers have commented very favourably and undertaking other tasks relating to the concerts Lifeguarding as a profession has existed for and general fund raising activities for the pool, a on the plants. One said the plants made her feel very happy when she comes for her daily swim over 200 years. Jack Nicholson, Clint Eastwood group of club members also work hard to produce and Ronald Reagan were all lifeguards. It is the gardens and hanging baskets at the pool, and one Richmond in Bloom judge said ‘The water is healing and so are the plants!’ reported that Ronald Reagan saved 77 lives even entering the annual Richmond in Bloom over seven summers!! competition. The pool was awarded a Silver Gilt With these comments in mind we decided to this year, but we hope to get the elusive Gold plant a Winter Garden this year for the first time Meet two of our next year. and eighteen people, mainly from the Swim and talented lifeguards… There is a close team with Club volunteers who BBQ club, sponsored a hanging basket, others Some of you may be wondering why you can’t come garden whenever they can, as well as Simon the donated Spring bulbs and pansies. So a big thank to the pool without seeing Caolan Humphries. YMCA Pool Manager who provides pool funds you to all who made this Winter Garden possible. Having been a member of the lifeguard and swim for plants and the pool staff who help with the In spring the bulbs will flower to welcome people school team for several years he is now working gardens when they can. to Hampton Pool. ● at the pool as often as he can be to fund a trip of a lifetime to New Zealand early next year. Caolan Join the club! Do you like the idea of sharing the pool with a sociable group of Hampton Pool enthusiasts? You can find information of how to become a member of this friendly club on the pool website. is keen to take the opportunity to travel around the world before he starts university in September. Caolan says “Being at the pool full time come Teddington Swimming Club Masters hit gold rain or shine means I have met many members and have a much better appreciation of community Steve Folsom, Teddington Masters – who train at Hampton Pool of the pool. It is such a great place and the joy of swimming outside even in the winter is so special”. hilst many of us were watching the Rugby W World cup on the sofa, 19 swimmers from “I’m always here so please feel free to come Teddington Masters were amongst the 1,100 and say hello!” Masters swimmers competing at the British Masters Nationals in Sheffield. The team had some great swims, including setting a new British record for the mixed 4x100 medley relay. Teddington Masters won a total of 29 medals across the three day competition which saw the very best of Masters swimmers from across Great Britain competing for honours. Established in 1978 the Masters group of Teddington Swimming club has over 150 members, aged from 18 to over 70 years. The club has a great Huge congratulations to the Teddington Masters team of Hannah Loughlin, Leon Smith, Steve Folsom and team spirit and supports all levels of swimming, Susan Oltner who swam for gold. including open water swimmers and triathletes. For those wanting to develop their stroke and number of members also participate in many competitive open water events including sea swim to keep fit, for example, there are Having recently graduated from the University swims such as the 2.25km Bournemouth Pier to ‘Developing Masters’ sessions three times a week of York Louisa Feary is a full time lifeguard and all sessions are coached by experienced and Pier swim; lake and river swims including several Thames swims; the 14km Henley Bridge to and receptionist at Hampton Pool. Working ASA qualified coaches. Whilst there is no at Hampton Pool is Louisa’s dream job as she pressure to compete, all members are encouraged Bridge; the 2.1km Henley Classic and the local 3.6km Hampton Court to Kingston Bridge. is a keen sportswoman and has played sport to participate in at least one of the competitions or danced for as long as she can remember. that take place locally and around the country. Most members swim between once and Recently Louisa competed Nationally at Earlier in the year the club organised a time trial four times a week which means in a year the cheerleading and uses the gym and swims to gala giving many members the chance to Teddington Masters members swim a staggering experience the thrill of a competitive environment 10,000 times a year. Hampton Pool is proud to stay fit in her spare time. “I work most mornings and help them prepare for their first competition. support such a great, successful club. at the pool and love the sense of community amongst the swimmers. I have so much respect Club members compete at most local open With several social events through the year the for those brave enough to get up really early events and sometimes further afield with a club has a huge buzz and is a very welcoming when it is really cold”. ● number also competing internationally at environment, so if you are interested in joining European and World Masters championships. the Masters group of Teddington Swimming In 2016, many club members will be preparing club, you can find out more information via themselves for the upcoming European Masters their website at www.teddingtonsc.org/index. Write to Kate Thomson, HPT Trustee and editor Championships which will be held at the London php?page=masters. You can contact the club of Poolside Chat by email kate.thomson Aquatic Centre in May 2016. An increasing via email at [email protected] ● @hamptonpooltrust.org.uk or by letter to Hampton Pool Trust, Hampton Pool, High Street, page 4 Poolside Chat Winter 2015 Newsletter designed and produced by William Redfern www.williamredfern.co.uk Hampton, Middlesex, TW12 2ST.