Friday, April 18, 2008

KIRKHAM BATHS UPDATE


'The Big Splash'
The first meeting of the working group committed to the saving and restoration of Kirkham Baths took place in Kirkham on April 9th, chaired by Raymond Green, Chairman of the Friends of Kirkham Baths. Members of the working group include the Mayor of Kirkham Councillor Liz Oades, representing Kirkham Town Council and neighbouring parishes, Councillors Elaine Silverwood and Peter Hardy, Trust Lawyers Dickson Haslam , Croft Good and John Rowe both local architects, a builder, marketing consultants, and other experts. Their brief is to prepare a robust business plan for presentation to Fylde Borough Council, which will enable Kirkham Baths to be transferred from the ownership of Fylde Borough Council into a Trust for the community of Kirkham and surrounding parishes. Raymond Green said: 'We have got off to a flying start, with an incredible array of talent on the working group, all of whom are giving their time and effort for nothing to this major project. When the Group has completed its study and Business Plan this will be presented on behalf of the community to Fylde Borough Council, so that the Council can fulfil its promise to pass the facility over into safe hands. We will be looking to establish charitable status which will free the Baths from 90% of its rates burden and will render it eligible for grant aid. We will be looking to Fylde Borough Council for a capped subsidy and will exploring all avenues for revenue including donations grants and fund raising events. We intend to ensure the future of the Baths for Kirkham and surrounding district for decades to come. I would urge the public to support our efforts. The first fund raising appeal will be to 'buy a brick' and this will be launched soon, so that people can go on record as having supported this worthy cause. One of the best ways to support your local baths is to use them. Please, please swim, buy a season ticket if possible, and take your children swimming. This is a fantastic facility on our doorstep. Don't lose it!' The working group have adopted the logo KIRKHAM SPLASH (Kirkham and District Swimming Trust) and you will be seeing much of this in the near future.
A new Web Site dedicated to Saving Kirkham Baths has now been commenced which can be viewed at
http://www.kirkhamsplash.co.uk/

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