CHIPPY LIDO SCOOPS GOLD
IN ANNUAL SWIMTASTIC AWARDS

Friday 26^th October: Chipping Norton Lido scooped “Gold” as Community Project Award winner at the Swimtastic Awards 2007 in Stratford-Upon-Avon.  In addition, Ken Norman won the silver award in the Fundraiser of the Year category for his achievements in raising funds to keep The Lido open. The awards, part of national awards organised by the Amateur Swimming Association (ASA) and backed by cereal manufacturer Kellogg’s, aims to acknowledge and celebrate pool-based projects in the UK that have benefited their communities the most.

Claire Jarvis, Trustee of Chipping Norton Lido, nominated the lido for the award on the strength of its work with young people.  She said:  “Chipping Norton Lido Ltd is one of the country’s few remaining open air pools. It was saved from closure by local campaigners four years ago and, since then has played an increasingly important role in the sporting and recreational life of the community. Projects aimed at young people included Dip ‘n Chill evenings for 11-18 year olds, top-up swimming lessons and mentoring for 10 and 11 year olds, a lunchtime swim club for local school children, and a junior lifeguard training programme.”   Fellow Trustee Sarah Watson had this to say on winning the award, “Obviously we are delighted to receive this level of national recognition in what is only our third season of independent operation. As a charity and a social enterprise, The Lido can truly be described as a pool with a social conscience. We are passionate about ensuring that all areas of the community benefit from a regular swim, and we hope our work with young people demonstrates just that.”

Picture shows  Sarah Watson with our award together with Commonwealth medallist
Rebecca Cook and British water polo team captain Craig Figes.

Lido launches new lottery

Chipping Norton Lido is reviving the local lottery which ran in the 1960s to raise the original funds to build the pool. The aim some 40 years later is to help generate ongoing income to support the pool now that it is run by the community.  “The new Lido Lottery is a way for us to raise funds and at the same time to give something back to our supporters,” explained Claire Jarvis, trustee of The Lido.  Since West Oxfordshire District Council withdrew its financial support in 2004, the only public funding for the pool’s running costs comes from Chipping Norton Town Council in the form of a £2,000 grant. This leaves a core funding ‘gap’ of over £20,000 which trustees currently meet through public fundraising. The Lido is inviting the public to subscribe to the lottery for £3 a month with 50% of the takings going straight into the prize fund. This means that if 200 people subscribe, the first prize will be £150, the second prize £90 and the third prize £60. The draw will be made on a monthly basis and the first draw is scheduled for 10 December. For more information and an application form, call in at Jaffé & Neale  or   DOWNLOAD AN APPLICATION FORM HERE