Thank you for continuing to give such solid support for Save Our Swim letters.

J Goodhall (Letters, January 27) wrote that: 'Yearsley is a good pool but the facilities are very poor'. While agreeing that it is a good pool I would say the facilities are basic rather than poor.

What makes the pool such a valuable and popular place is that it is uniquely long in this part of England.

And the poolside lockers are in sight of both staff and swimmers which is a comfort. The showers and lavatories, although simple, are adequate and clean.

It is the simplicity of the pool that delivers low-cost, public swimming, for many and that is why it is being supported so loyally.

Ian Wormald,

Main Street,

Elvington,

York.

...I support your campaign to save the two York swimming pools. I regularly swim at Yearsley baths, once or twice a week, even though I live in Dringhouses and work in Selby. It is worth my while to cross the city to enjoy a quality swim in a large pool.

I tend to avoid peak times yet the pool always has a considerable number of users. My swim sessions are essential for my fitness and sanity!

Jill Gibson,

Middlethorpe Grove, York.

...I am concerned about the possible closure of swimming pools in York, especially the Barbican. At Fishergate Primary School swimming has an important place within the PE curriculum. We take advantage of our close proximity to the pool and the two hours of time we are allocated in the training pool to offer swimming to all children from year one to six for at least part of every year.

Not only are we able to help nearly all children to swim but many go on to win awards. Aspects of water safety, personal survival and rescue techniques are included in the programme.

Currently there are 14 local schools using the Barbican for swimming. Some, like us, take advantage of the accessibility of the Barbican and walk to and from the pool. Others find it easily accessible by transport routes. Rather than close pools, the council should be looking to increase accessibility and provision for them and ensure children learn to swim.

Angela Johnson,

Headteacher,

Fishergate Primary School,

Fishergate, York.

...Having swam in pools from Scotland to Cornwall, Blackpool to Scarborough, I ask the council to provide a list of pools closing in other areas.

It would seem that York people could soon be unable to do what many people from all corners of the globe do, use a pool for relaxation, exercise and therapy.

If this is only a money issue about cutting costs, it is time we stopped paying excess wages to a failing council and recoup some of our money to keep our pools open.

Pull the plug on the York Council, not our pools.

P Paxman,

Keble Park South,

Bishopthorpe, York.

See Save Our Swim

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.