Monday, 22nd May 2017
Every primary school pupil in Pendle will once again receive free swimming during the May Half-Term holidays next week.
All 5-11-year-olds in Nelson, Brierfield, Barrowford, Barnoldswick, Earby, Kelbrook, Salterforth and Colne will be entitled to free swimming thanks to funding from Lancashire County Council’s Neighbourhood Well-being Initiative Fund.
During the Easter holidays, all Pendle primary school children were allowed daily access on week days during the holidays to a two hour pre-planned session at each of Pendle Leisure Trust’s pools – Pendle Wavelengths, Nelson; Pendle Leisure Centre, Colne and West Craven Sports Centre, Barnoldswick.
This was very well received, with hundreds of children taking up the offer to swim for free.
The schoolchildren will be entitled to the initiative during school holidays throughout the rest of this school year, including Summer, October Half Term and next February Half Term.
Chief Executive of Pendle Leisure Trust, Alison Goode, said: “I’m delighted to say thanks to cash contributions from some of Pendle’s town councils, plus Lancashire County Council’s Neighbourhood Well-being Initiative Fund, funding has been secured for 2017/18.”
County Councillor Azhar Ali added: “As a County Councillor and Nelson Town Councillor, I am responsible for health and well-being and wanted to make sure children are able to be active during the school holidays.
“Following discussions with Pendle Leisure Trust and some town councils, I accepted their bids to provide free swimming for primary school pupils during the holidays.
“This is really important to get children confident in the water and get them active.”
Free Swimming Session times can be found here.