Newsletter November 2020 -

Welcome to our third newsletter

Sadly, Shoalstone Pool remained closed this summer. With the COVID-19 restrictions we would have had to put in place, which would have resulted in an experience very different to the family one we encourage, and the associated costs this would have entailed, we believed that this was the only choice to make. This doesn’t mean that we have been sitting on our laurels though. The closure has the given us the time to continue behind the scenes on our strategy development and the resulting long, ongoing job list.

• finalising our 10-year strategy document, to put it in a format suitable for funding applications

• revamping our website, to put together one site for Shoalstone Pool, incorporating Shoalstone Pool CIC and the Friends of Shoalstone Pool (FoSP)

• starting discussions with BTC and TC with regards to our governance structure and becoming a CIO (charitable incorporated organisation), and also with the FoSP to see how we can more closely work together as one organisation in the future

• taking a skills audit of the current board, to see the gaps we have and look to recruit help as necessary

• setting up subgroups made up of the directors and other volunteers focussed on the strategy areas of governance, operations, H&S, infrastructure, finance, fundraising and marketing/communications

• working on setting up a consultation with our volunteers to see what areas they are interested in, how they can help and the time they can give us, so that they can become involved in these subgroup areas

• researching areas of funding available, starting by looking at other lidos around the country to see who they have funding from and what makes them successful

• considering how we can fund our goal of having an operations and development manager in place to take on the day to day running of the pool

• considering additional revenue streams such as merchandise, further pool events and activities

• overhauling our documentation, working practices and risk assessments, to draw up a full manual on every aspect of pool operations, from pool cleans, to lifeguarding, to finance, to fundraising

• forming partnerships with other organisations, such the GeoPark, Admiral Swimming Pool, MDL and other lidos, to swap knowledge, work together on fundraising and discuss how to support each other

• writing a marketing strategy, considering the users of the pool now and how to make it accessible and appealing to others

• redesigning our marketing literature and banners, and looking at the signage around Brixham and on-site

• drawing up a yearly maintenance schedule, to see what we would usually be doing at what time of year

• putting together a list of urgent repairs on site, so what we must do as a priority before next season

• considering other improvements we would like to do before next season, such as the addition of reserved drop-off spaces for disabled drivers, extra picnic benches, an external web cam, work on the shelters

• forming contacts/consulting with engineers/marine surveyors, to see in the long-term what works we would need to do to secure the physical infrastructure of the site

As you can see, there is an awful lot to do!

We must also mention that, after the enforced halt during the main COVID-19 lockdown, our caretaker and volunteers have restarted the pool cleans. This was difficult to start with, because of the detritus and algae that had built up, but we are now back on track with our monthly schedule.

Roy, our caretaker, has also been working down his maintenance job list, with repairs to fencing/railings, electrical inspections, toilet block repairs, beach hut maintenance and general winter shutdown activities. He has also been looking at the north deck, which is one area of concern. The patched repairs are not holding and the water is pushing up from underneath very quickly. We will continue to investigate.

As you can see, the list of jobs seems never ending. It may be that you don’t see a lot going on on-site itself, but in a way that is the tip of the iceberg. As with many organisations, it is the work that goes on in the background that keeps things going. And hopefully, as we begin to tick things off the list, you will start to see improvements on site, as we all work together to secure the long-term future of the pool.

Finally, we just wanted to say a huge Thank You for all the fundraising support we have received over this period, from the 365 Challenge swimmers, to the Great Churston & Brixham Scarecrow Hunt, to the many anonymous donations. As always, we couldn’t do it without you.

Sadly the Friends of Shoalstone Pool have had to cancel all of their planned fundraising events for the foreseeable future. As a result we are ever more reliant upon your donations

We’re always keen to hear from you on any matter concerning the pool be it fundraising ideas, offers for help or anything that we may not have thought of. Please feel free to get in touch via our email address info@shoalstonepool.com or phone Dave on 07799 414702.

Read our previous newsletter

Our July 2020 can be viewed here

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Contact Us

Shoalstone Pool, Berry Head Road, Brixham,TQ5 9FT

Further Information

We are always keen to hear your views and feedback. If you have something to tell us please do get in touch. New Volunteers are always welcome. We’re busy maintaining and improving the pool all year round.