Secondary school pupils have weighed in to oppose any possible York swimming pool closures.

Two groups of Year Nine students at Easingwold School discussed articles written for the Evening Press Save Our Swim campaign as part of their English course.

Teacher Jean Webster sent us over 20 letters from pupils who expressed strong views against any closure possibility. Only a brief selection can be reproduced here.

Natalie Strickson said: "I think that the Barbican and Yearsley Pools should stay open because families like to swim at the weekends. Elderly people like to go for exercise classes.

"I learnt to swim at Yearsley Pool. Pregnant women and mothers with babies also like to go to the pools. Also schools take young children for swimming lessons. If the pools were to shut where would children and adults alike learn to swim?"

Robert Burnett said he learned to swim at the local baths. "As well as safety issues there are also health concerns," he added. "The middle-aged and older people use the pools to keep fit.

"Doctors, nurses and physiotherapists advise their patients to go swimming for the benefit of their health."

He added the pool was also a place for socialising, where children had parties and was a safe place for teenagers to meet and have fun.

Mark Dixon pointed out that swimming was "an energetic sport and it is suitable for all the family. If you can swim you can go swimming, canoeing, diving, play water polo or do aqua fitness sports such as aquarobics.

"It helps you with your aching muscles. Swimming is good for your body and it is good for people with arthritis. Many disabled people use Yearsley and the Barbican Pool.

"So don't close the pools for the sake of the children and disabled people of York."

Adam Howard said swimming pools bring the community together, and there were not enough pools anyway so closing any would not help.

Gemma Madison said all the staff at the pools were friendly and helpful and people enjoyed their leisure time there.

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