IT IS an enormous relief that good sense has finally prevailed over the future of Yearsley Swimming Pool.

Not only is it a rare proper-length pool, a facility highly valued by York residents, and an asset with a good deal of useful life left, but it is furthermore a part of the city’s history and social fabric, as a gift to the citizens of York by the Rowntree organisation.

The philanthropy of industrialists in the Rowntrees and Terry’s era went far beyond today’s often superficial corporate social responsibility “gestures”, focusing as they did on real benefits to the city’s inhabitants.

The wasteful closure of a generously created amenity providing enjoyment and healthy exercise for thousands would be an ignorant and short-sighted dismissal of a strong element of this city’s history and tradition.

Yearsley is a real legacy of our chocolate industry, for which plastic sweet-themed tourist attractions are no substitute.

Catherine Jardine, York

 

MAY I say a heartfelt thank you on behalf of the young to the old, beginners to champions, fitness buffs and all other water babes who use Yearsley Swimming pool, to Cllr Keith Aspden for saving our much loved pool from the threat of closure.

Thank you for the executive’s 13-year commitment, but most of all thank you for listening and taking our request seriously.

Hedy Parkin, Hill View, York

 

I AM just writing to express thanks, in particular to Cllr Keith Aspden, for all the hard work that has gone into keeping Yearsley Pool open.

I have been a regular user of the pool for 30 years, and have valued its unique size as well as ease of access by foot or bicycle.

It provides a service that should never have been under threat, and the executive and Keith Aspden can take a lot of credit for preserving an important part of the heritage of York.

Valerie Tuffs, York