Community effort sees funding secured to reopen village swimming pool

Built by villagers in 1972, Billinghay and District Community Pool has been run by volunteers for the community, usually opening each year from May to September as it is an outdoor, heated facility.

Due to frost damage the top tiles around the edges need to be replaced and the dosage machine also needs to be replaced to ensure constant safe water chemical levels. The pool had to close for the 2025 season due to lack of funds for these repairs, which has been a huge loss to groups including SEND, Scouting, schools, youth groups, parent and babies and the elderly.

At the pool’s AGM in October it was decided that it would have to stay closed and the committee disband as the cost of renovating was too great, with estimates calculated at £500,000.

An extraordinary general meeting was then called in November by community members eager to rescue the village amenity and a new committee was formed to move forward with fundraising.

Trustee, Treasurer and Secretary Samantha Bryant is the only remaining member of the old committee. She explained that, on revisiting the potential contractors, it was established that the high price tag had been for a full, “dream” rebuild of the whole pool and changing rooms, which they advised was not necessary for a small community pool, leading to a revised target of £25,000.

Fundraising kicked off in earnest, with raffles, bingo nights and other events raising thousands of pounds and then, just before Christmas, the parish council chipped in with a sizeable donation meaning that work can go ahead at pace to open for the 2026 season.

Sam said: “We have secured that money in our bank. It is all guns blazing to get the work completed, but we are still expecting to open by mid-April, which is earlier than normal, meaning we can hopefully bring in yet more income.

"Extending the season gives you more opportunity to tap into more funding down the line and secure the long-term future of the pool."

Among the first tasks would be draining the pool of water and they were looking at a number of options, including the local fire brigade and Anglian Water, who might recycle the hundreds of gallons.

Sam said the pool has been used by a much wider community than just Billinghay in the past and they have had support from other local community pools in Metheringham and Woodhall Spa, where the latter has been training Billinghay’s new lifeguards for the upcoming season.

"We are also looking for volunteers to help run the kiosk to maximise our opening times,” she said.

During the school term it is open in the evenings and at weekends. During the school holidays it is open for several sessions each day. There are dedicated adult only swim sessions, babies, tots and perinatal sessions, Aqua Zumba and swimming lessons for children in Years 1-6.

Besides Sam, the other trustees are chair Debbie Holmes and Julie Holmes (her sister-in-law), plus 11 other committee members – mainly locals, all with their own useful skills. They have also received advice from former committee members, which has been massively useful, said Sam.

The pool committee is now looking to build up reserves for contingencies and running costs, so fundraising is continuing.

The latest event was a 12-hour non-stop gym relay challenge which took place between 7am and 7pm on Saturday (January 17) at Hudson Fitness gym in the village, led by committee member Emma Hudson. Around 30 volunteers put down their names for half-hour slots to be sponsored using the running/walking, cycling and rowing machines. There was a bake sale for those recovering from the exercise!

Then the following weekend on Saturday, January 24, The Ship Inn is hosting an open mic night from 8pm. Whether you would like to step up and perform, or simply sit back and enjoy the atmosphere, everyone is very welcome. It is free entry but donations welcome.

This will involve live performances (not a karaoke) by local singers, musicians, spoken word and acoustic acts. Performers bring their own music or instruments .

Sam said the pub has been very supportive in hosting committee meetings.

There will also be a jumble sale in the village hall on February 28 at 2pm and an Easter bingo session coming later.

Sam said: “These fundraising events are bringing the community together too. We are being invited to coffee mornings at churches and ladies groups bringing our cause to the forefront of people’s thoughts.

"The pool was built by the community, for the community.

"The primary school next door is keen to see it reopen so they don’t have to send children off on coaches for swimming lessons.”

You can make a donation or sponsor the pool at: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/d8ba274ae9022da0f7efbce7d25cab29?