Worthing Herald - News Feed

RICHARD WILLIAMSON: Channel’s chill wind is home to Arctic migrants

Fri, 17 May 2013 13:44:22 GMT

“Take your sea-sick pill,” said my wife. An hour later: ‘Brought you a pint of beer,” said my brother.

We were rumbling out of Dover on the ferry last week to see the Somme battlefields.

Having once crossed the Bay of Biscay on the troopship Lancashire in a near hurricane one bitter January, I obeyed wife – and stayed on the open deck.

Shakespeare’s cliff with its King Lear dramas faded into scud. The sea swelled, white-lipped. The wind freshened and the drizzle increased.

A lone herring gull perched on the rail, watched me and waited. I was waiting too, with my binoculars.

Half way to Calais they appeared. First one, then ten, until a score were circling. This is what I want, thought I. While brother Robert is down below with his pint of beer and pie, I’m up here with the real gannets.

White wings like oars, the magnificent birds sheared the cold wind. Soon they had found a shoal, and plunged down to feed, wings closed tight, black-tipped, becoming missiles as they attacked the mackerel packs.

I was hoping for flocks of scoters, but those days are gone for the ocean ducks.

A tern or two floated on their graceful tireless wings. The English Channel probably looked much like Antarctica to them this April day.

Then all at once I saw my real target: a dark brown bird, narrow-winged, big as a black-backed gull, but with a white wing patch. I hollered gleefully to myself. A group of obsessive smokers eyed me suspiciously, and moved away.

It was but a fleeting glimpse, for the great skua en route to the Shetlands or Murmansk sailed on east. A final score was an arctic skua.

On our return journey four days later another young herring gull posed on the rail at Calais as the two ferries passed. It was close enough to easily see the sandy patches of teenage plumage on its flanks (they go through several annual phase changes).

As we came back into the rising seas once more, passing 20 cormorants on the pier end which seemed to have been more successful than the French anglers, these herring gulls took their stations about us in the sky, catching the crusts and crisps hurled by passengers.

Brother Robert was back with his pint below. He sails the seas in a classic wood-hulled sailing boat called Maid of Tesa and is unimpressed by the banality of big-boat crossings.

“I want to steer myself,” he said. While I wanted to see for myself what I knew would be on offer on the return journey.

Sure enough, our wake was no more than a quarter-of-a-mile long before those white aerials of the high seas appeared: the kittiwakes.

Finer, slimmer, more delicate than any gull, wings tipped with black as if dipped in ink, they soared and sailed astern, searching for the tiny fish chopped by our propellers.

Down they went, rising again and diving again, like bits of pure spume.

The fag-puffers (this time mostly French students jabbering in shrill excitement and rushing and pushing like a colony of gulls) saw not one. For my wife, having brought me a cup of ferry tea, it was too cold after a while. My brother was totally dismissive.: “The Irish sea is where I want to be – with a pint of Guinness.”

For me, unwanted pill dutifully stowed, this ocean highway that links Atlantic to Arctic for the April migrants gave me a brief blast of the last of winter and its travellers.

Emergency services and air ambulance called to Lancing

Fri, 17 May 2013 13:00:22 GMT

POLICE, paramedics and the air ambulance were called to Lancing this morning (Friday, May 17) after it was reported a man had fallen from scaffolding.

The emergency services went to Crabtree Lane at 11.33am after was a man was reported lying on the pavement injured.

He has since been taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital, in Brighton, for assessment of a back injury.

A Sussex Police spokesman said initial reports the man had fallen three storeys from scaffolding on a building had “not been substantiated”.

The incident is not being treated as suspicious.

Bob Smytherman installed as new mayor of Worthing

Fri, 17 May 2013 12:42:14 GMT

A HIGH-spirited ceremony has been held to welcome new mayor of Worthing Bob Smytherman into the role today (Friday, May 17).

Councillors, honorary aldermen and distinguished guests gathered as outgoing mayor, Charles James, handed over his duties to Mr Smytherman.

Mr Smytherman said it felt “amazing” to become mayor.

He said: “It’s wonderful, absolutely amazing. I want to put Worthing on the map.”

Deputy mayor will be cllr Vic Walker, and the mayoress duties will be performed by cllr Norah Fisher.

Youth mayor for the next year will be Brogan Kirkby-Bott, while her deputy will be Jenny Hirst.

For the full story, see next week’s Worthing Herald, out Thursday, May 23.

Anti-gull netting criticised after death

Fri, 17 May 2013 10:26:11 GMT

A FIREFIGHTER has criticised the use of netting to dissuade birds from nesting on roofs after it claimed the life of a seagull on Monday.

A crew from Worthing attended Edgehill Close at 12pm, where they found the gull entangled in netting on the roof of a house.

Despite their quick intervention, it was too late to save it, and it died shortly afterwards.

It it thought the seagull had been trapped for several days, but no-one had noticed it.

Firefighter Andy Gilbert said reports of birds getting trapped in such netting were not uncommon, and he knew of three similar incidents in the past three weeks.

He said: “It is torture for the bird. It would have been killed slowly.

“This one was a yearling, which had returned to the nest.

“I would like to show those who put up the netting what they have done. If you don’t like gulls nesting, don’t live by the sea. We invaded their space, not the other way.”

A spokeswoman for the RSPCA said it was an offence to cause unnecessary suffering to animals and nets should be maintained in order to prevent such incidents from occurring.

Police donation to Worthing school

Thu, 16 May 2013 11:08:56 GMT

West Park First School in Worthing will be able to purchase outdoor play equipment for reception children, thanks to a donation of £200 from Sussex Police.

Helen Manley and PC David Whitcombe, from Sussex Police licensing team, presented the school with the cheque on Tuesday, April 21.

Head teacher Peter Neale said: “We are very grateful to receive this kind donation from Sussex Police. I know our reception children will enjoy playing with the equipment that we are buying for our new early years outdoor play area.

Helen Manley added: “Sussex Police is pleased to be able to assist the school to provide a stimulating outdoor environment for their youngest children and encouraging their development and learning”

The donation comes from the Police Property Act Fund (PPAF), made up of monies received by the police from property confiscated by order of the court and then sold.

UPDATE: Air ambulance called for elderly man

Thu, 16 May 2013 09:31:41 GMT

A MAN who collapsed in Montague Street on Wednesday afternoon is believed to have suffered a head injury and possible stroke.

The Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance, along with two road ambulances, were called to the scene at around 4.45pm, with initial reports suggesting the man had suffered “serious head injuries”.

The man, believed to be in his 70s, had reportedly collapsed and sustained the head injury as a result.

He was transferred by road, with a ground escort ‑ a doctor from the air ambulance crew, to the Royal Sussex hospital, in Brighton.

The hospital is classed as a major trauma centre.

The ambulance crews left at about 5.20pm, with the air ambulance departing a short while later.

VIDEO: Air ambulance in Worthing town centre

Wed, 15 May 2013 17:41:14 GMT

ONLOOKERS gathered as the air ambulance landed in Worthing town centre today (Wednesday, May 15).

It was called following reports that a man had suffered a serious head injury after falling in Montague Street, at about 5pm.

Paramedics were also called, with ambulances parking in Portland Road.

The ambulance crews left at about 5.20pm, with the air ambulance departing a short while later.

Reader Katie Newland kindly sent in some pictures of the air ambulance which can be seen by clicking the photo gallery link above.

Filming of thriller takes place in Worthing hotel

Wed, 15 May 2013 15:48:15 GMT

THE filming of a psychological horror set in an eerily quiet hotel has just finished in Worthing.

The Graveyard Shift, written by Matt Prior and directed by Jonathan Vinicombe, was filmed last Saturday and Sunday at the Cavendish Hotel, in Marine Parade, which has been empty since September.

More than 20 people came together for the shooting of the film, which is being produced by Worthing-based United Magic Films.

The company previously made films about kite-surfers from across the area, including Lewis Crathern. and recently the new Splashpoint swimming pool, which was opened at the beginning of the month.

Matt, a graduate of the Northern Film School, in Leeds, said he felt a sense of relief now the filming was done.

He said: “For me, the real hard is over because it’s very difficult organising a short film when you’re dealing with 20 people who are working for free.

“We got all the footage we needed and it was an amazing experience.

“There is still a lot of work to do, but as far as I’m concerned a lot of the stress is off now.”

The film’s plot centres on a man who suspects there might be a presence with him while he is working on a late-night shift at an empty hotel.

Matt, 24, from Padwicks Field, Fittleworth, said the story was inspired by his own experience of working at the Cavendish at night.

He said: “When I worked in the evening shifts there was sometimes very little to do.

“I would think about plot ideas when I was there.”

Having completed shooting the film, editing work will now take a couple of months.

Once completed, the film will be sent to film festivals around the world.

Friends set up fund after tragic accident

Wed, 15 May 2013 11:34:31 GMT

FRIENDS of a charity fund-raiser who is fighting for his life after a tragic accident in France have raised thousands to help pay for his care.

Grant Andrews, 30, from Worthing, is in a coma in Strasbourg, after suffering severe head and chest injuries, following a 30-foot fall onto Tarmac on May 5.

It is understood he fell through a hedge, and down an embankment.

He was there to take part in the Scumrun, a four-day charity drive across Europe.

Grant, who was travelling with a friend, had reached Strasbourg, and was to start the final leg of the journey the next day, when the incident occurred.

He has been joined at his bedside by pregnant fiancée Anna.

Chris Thwaites, 33, of Singleton Crescent, whose brother was travelling with Grant, said what had happened was “surreal”.

He said: “My brother and Grant have been best mates through school and I’ve seen them grow up together, so the whole thing is really surreal.

“He is a happy-go-lucky guy, who will help anyone out and he doesn’t expect anything in return.”

He added: “My brother has been back and forth between here and France and is going back out there this weekend.”

Although Grant has medical insurance, it only covers a proportion of his care, and around £280-a-day extra is required.

A staggering £7,000 has been raised so far.

To donate visit www.gogetfunding.com/project/grant-andrews-fund

For the full story, see the Worthing Herald, out today (Thursday, May 16).

Brighton and Hove Albion training ground extension approved, despite flood fears

Tue, 14 May 2013 16:37:51 GMT

AN extension to Brighton and Hove Albion Football Club’s training development has been approved, despite fears it will “literally open the floodgates”.

At a meeting on Tuesday, May 7, Adur’s planning committee approved the addition of three extra football pitches at the club’s training facility, which will be built on land on the south-west of New Monks Farm.

The extra pitches, one grass and two artificial, will bring the total of training pitches up to 15, with one to be exclusively used by the community.

The plans were, however, opposed by Lancing Parish Council on multiple grounds, including the flood risk of building on an existing water course, and increased traffic movements and footfall.

At the meeting, Geoff Patmore and Bill Freeman, from the Lancing Manor Residents’ Network and West Beach Residents’ Association, as well as newly-elected county councillor Lionel Parsons, spoke out against the plans.

All of them pointed to the flood risk of further development on the flood plain.

Geoff Patmore said building the training ground facility on a flood plain was like “putting a brick in a bucket of water” because of its effect on water displacement.

He said: “If you agree to this proposal you are literally opening the floodgates, opening adverse life-changing circumstances.”

However, Albion’s director, Martin Perry, said the club had taken the flood concerns of residents “very seriously” and had devised ways to deal with the problem.

This will include collecting surface water in storage tanks and using it to irrigate the training pitches.

He said: “We have no doubt at all that the ground flooding issues in the area are very serious. However, we will be collecting all our foul drainage and will not be discharging any into the system whatsoever. We’re above the groundwater table. The existing ground at the site is above 2.5 metres and the development will be 1.5 metres above that. We do not go below that on any part of the site. There’s no displacement of water whatsoever caused by this development. We believe we have adequately addressed the flooding issue.”

Southlands councillor Darren Burns spoke in favour of the development.

He questioned why the parish council had been concerned about extra fall, saying “this is what Lancing needs”.

He said: “I think Brighton and Hove Albion has always been very, very considerate to residents in its actions with things like the accoustic fencing.

“I think another couple of pitches is no problem. Mash Barn is quite a deprived area and Lancing needs developing.”

However, Marine ward councillor Ben Stride questioned the club’s flooding strategy, asking what would happen if the club’s rain water tanks became full.

In response, the meeting heard the water would be drained away.

The plans were approved unanimously.

Worthing’s HIV rate up more than 300 per cent in last decade

Tue, 14 May 2013 16:16:57 GMT

THE proportion of people living with HIV in Worthing has increased by more than 300 per cent in the last decade.

Currently, one in 365 people in Worthing is living with HIV – up from one in 1,333 back in 2002.

UK-wide, the figure is one in 650.

Worthing has the 22nd highest prevalence of people with the condition outside of London, while Brighton is second, with around one in 105 living with the condition.

Dr Emma Rutland, consultant in HIV medicine at Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “HIV is now a manageable condition, and with early diagnosis and treatment patients are able to live long and healthy lives. “Unfortunately in Sussex, like many other parts of the country, too many people end up getting tested late, when they have already become unwell and effective treatment becomes more challenging. Early testing, diagnosis and treatment significantly reduces the risk of people with HIV suffering ill-health and passing the infection on to others.”

The National AIDS Trust (NAT), which released the figures, is calling on Worthing and West Sussex councils to prioritise sexual health after cental Government handed the public health budget to West Sussex in April.

Deborah Jack, chief executive of the NAT, said: “West Sussex County Council has been allocated £26,698,000 by the Government to spend on public health over the next year, but, worryingly, within that budget there will be no ring-fencing for HIV. Worthing’s councillors need to push for a strong commitment to HIV from West Sussex County Council to ensure HIV prevention and testing continues to receive the necessary funding.

“Disinvestment in HIV prevention and testing would seriously harm public health, especially in an area like Worthing which has a high rate of HIV.”

A West Sussex County Council spokeswoman said: “One of the public health objectives is around earlier diagnosis of HIV, and we are working with the service providers to make sure we are appropriately screening and getting the messages, including awareness of HIV and general sexual health, to help the general population to protect their sexual health.”

The NAT is calling on people to boost HIV awareness by holding a birds and bees bake aware event.

For resources to hold a bake aware event, visit www.hivaware.org.uk/act-aware/ideas-for-fundraising/fundraise/bake-aware.php

12-year-old becomes youngest youth councillor

Tue, 14 May 2013 16:13:04 GMT

A 12-YEAR-OLD has set his sights on Downing Street after becoming Worthing’s youngest ever youth councillor.

Joshua Davies, a year-seven student at Our Lady of Sion, in Gratwicke Road, broke the previous record of 13 after he was elected by peers from his and other secondary schools last month.

He has already taken part in his first meeting and said he was looking forward to making Worthing a better place for young people.

Joshua, from Palmers Way, High Salvington, said: “I’ve always been interested in politics and I felt I wanted to know Worthing even better and help people who are in need. I’m looking forward to improving Worthing to suit young people much more than it does at the moment.”

Worthing Youth Council, an a-political body, promotes the area for the good of young people in the town and also acts as a conduit to adult councillors.

Joshua said his interest in politics stemmed from childhood.

He said: “My mum told me that when I was six I could lecture about the 10p tax band. I can’t remember that now but I’m interested whenever there’s politics in looking at voting sheets so I have an idea of what’s going on.”

While Joshua’s political career is only just beginning, he already has dreams of one day being in Downing Street.

He added: “I’ve always been told by everyone I’d make a good Prime Minister because people ask me a question and I’ll reply and walk off and they’ll realise I haven’t really answered it.”

Shirley Robinson-Vine, Worthing and Adur youth councils co-ordinator, praised Joshua’s commitment to giving young people a voice.

She added: “Joshua’s manifesto showed him to be enthusiastic about young people’s voice and the desire to make a positive contribution to his community. What a wonderful attitude for one so young.”

Voter turn-out for the elections across the schools was 62 per cent, which Shirley praised as a “great statistic”.

Birds stolen from Lancing aviary

Tue, 14 May 2013 14:18:23 GMT

MORE than 50 birds have been stolen from a garden aviary in Lancing.

The birds were taken at some time between 9.30pm on Sunday and 10am on Monday (May 13), by someone who climbed a garden fence, trampled down plants and forced shed doors to gain access.

A total of 30 budgerigars and more than 20 finches are thought to have been removed in a cage that was also stolen from the property in Sompting Road.

Anyone with information about the theft or suspicions about birds being offered for sale is asked to call Sussex Police on 101 quoting serial 368 of 13/05.

Alternatively, call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Changes at West Sussex County Council

Tue, 14 May 2013 09:58:46 GMT

THE first meeting of West Sussex County Council since the May 2 elections is being held in Chichester today (Tuesday, May 14).

A reporter is currently at the meeting and there have been changes in some of the top positions.

Amanda Jupp, councillor for the Billingshurst division, has been elected as chairman. Former chairman Mike Coleman lost his seat in the elections.

Cllr Jupp, Conservative, has lived in West Sussex for most of her life. She is married with three children in their 20s.

The meeting has also seen Nigel Peters, councillor for the Arundel and Wick division, elected as vice-chairman.

Cllr Peters, Conservative, is a chartered surveyor and, since 1994, has lived with his wife and family in Toddington. He is also an Arun district councillor.

Current leader Louise Goldsmith retained her seat in the election and has been retained as leader for the next four years.

Today has also seen the resignation of the leader of the West Sussex Liberal Democrats, Morwen Millson.

She will be replaced by Dr James Walsh.

Splashpoint project ‘unprecedented’

Tue, 14 May 2013 06:56:09 GMT

THE new Splashpoint complex has been a major part of Cliff Harrison’s life for the past few months.

As Adur and Worthing councils’ executive head of technical services, he has been responsible for all council property and construction works since 2008.

Splashpoint has been a major part of his workload over the past months. He talks to us about the build and highlights some of Splashpoint’s environmental features.

When asked how the project compared to others he had worked on in the Worthing area, Mr Harrison said there was “no comparison”.

“Large projects like this do not come along very often and they become a matter of both personal and professional pride to see through to a successful completion,” he added.

“While we have built several sports pavilions and community centres, extensively extended and refurbished the crematorium and carried out large-scale refurbishments to plenty of properties, none of those projects can compare to Splashpoint in terms of size, impact, complexity and community use.”

The Splashpoint building features a number of eco-friendly features.

Mr Harrison said the centre will achieve a BREEAM “very good” environmental performance rating, because of many factors in its design and specification, including:

• Ground source heat pumps: interconnected boreholes under the adjacent Beach House grounds provide a free natural energy source to provide base level heating in winter and cooling in summer.

• Movable floors: overnight, the movable floors are brought to the surface and double up as pool covers, reducing water heat loss and evaporation.

• Combined heat and power: these state-of-the-art gas boilers also generate on-site electricity, reducing call on the National Grid and cutting energy costs.

• Regenerative media filters: this different type of pool water filter substantially reduces the amount of waste water that traditionally filtered pools generate; using less water is more sustainable and cheaper to purchase, treat and heat.

• Greywater: what waste water there is from the pools is stored on site and re-used for flushing toilets within the complex.

Mr Harrison added: “Splashpoint’s doors are well and truly open and memberships are at an all time high.

“If you haven’t had a chance yet, make sure you make time to come and visit the new complex and check out some of its features for yourself.”

Witnesses sought after Marine Parade collision

Mon, 13 May 2013 13:32:42 GMT

Police are appealing for witnesses to a collision in Marine Parade, Worthing, which involved a black moped and a dark coloured BMW saloon.

The vehicles collided at 9.30pm on Thursday, May 9, and the driver of the BMW drove off from the scene without providing any details.

There is no further description of that vehicle at this stage.

The moped rider, a 19-year-old Worthing man, was treated at Worthing Hospital for minor injuries.

PC Ben Henwood of the Sussex Road Policing Unit said; “If you have any information please call us on 101 quoting Serial 1477 of 9/5.”

Worthing motorcyclist involved in collision with car in Shoreham

Mon, 13 May 2013 13:23:20 GMT

Police are appealing for witnesses after a Worthing motorcyclist was injured following a collision with a car.

The incident happened in Brighton Road, Shoreham, on Thursday, May 9 at 5pm, and although the 28-year-old motorcyclist was slightly hurt, he did not require hospital treatment.

Witnesses to the collision should call Sussex Police on 101 quoting Serial 1121 of 9/5.

Disused building on Lancing’s Beach Green up for sale again

Mon, 13 May 2013 11:48:06 GMT

THE developer behind plans to turn a disused building on Lancing seafront into a leading water sports centre has put the site up for sale.

The building has been placed on the property site themodernhouse.net, which specialises in luxury properties and developments, barely two months after planning permission was given to turn it into a water sports centre.

The news has been met with disappointment.

However, the developer behind the plans said he had not “given up” on the development.

For the full story, read this week’s Lancing Herald, out on Thursday, May 16.

Respects paid to village’s ‘pillar of the community’

Mon, 13 May 2013 08:48:14 GMT

HUNDREDS of mourners paid their final respects to a former East Preston firefighter who has been described as a “pillar of the community” and an “incredible father”.

David Luscombe, owner of Ferring Nurseries, died last month following a valiant seven-month fight against an aggressive form of leukaemia.

At his funeral last Wednesday (May 1), at St Mary’s Church, East Preston, six firefighters from the village fire station provided a ceremonial guard of honour for David – who, before setting up the nursery business, in 1980, had served there as a retained fire officer.

Standard bearers from East Preston and Kingston Royal British Legion, of which David had been a member for more than 50 years, and president at the time of his death, also attended the funeral.

David’s son, Courtenay – who works at the family business – said he was “astonished” by the turn-out and wished to thank all those who took the time to pay their respects.

‘Astonished’

“As a family we were so surprised at the number of people who attended the funeral. It was packed full of those who loved Dad.

“But we never expected so many people. We were astonished,” he said.

The procession made its way from David’s home, in North Lane, along The Street to the churchyard, in Vicarage Lane.

His coffin, draped with the Union Jack, was carried into the church by six members of staff at the nursery, while the fire service guard saluted them.

Inside, long-term friend and treasurer of the Royal British Legion branch, Malcolm Reene, of Worthing Road, gave a touching speech about David’s life.

However, it was David’s grand-daughter, Alexis Luscombe, who tugged at the heartstrings of the congregation.

The visibly emotional 11-year-old read a poem in memory of her beloved grandfather.

Celebrated life

After the service, the funeral procession moved away towards Littlehampton Cemetery, where David was buried.

The route passed through the heart of Rustington, stopping in The Street at the site of last year’s Olympic-inspired floral displays, designed by David and his team, which helped ultimately to clinch the village’s victory in Europe’s most prestigious horticultural competition, the Entente Florale.

“Some people asked me whether the day would be a sad one,” said Courtenay. “And I told them ‘no’.

“It was a time to celebrate my Dad’s life.

“And I know he would have been proud to see the display we had put on for him, He deserved nothing less.”

David grew up in Rustington. After completing his National Service with the RAF, he moved to East Preston, with his wife Sylvia.

Weeks later, in 1955, he joined the fire service at the village station where he rose to station commander and stayed until 1990.

In his later years, he coached both East Preston and Ferring football clubs.

David leaves behind his wife, two grown-up children and five grandchildren.

Queues at Splashpoint as residents get their first look at new pool

Mon, 13 May 2013 08:01:42 GMT

LONG queues have been the norm at Splashpoint as hundreds of residents flocked to get their first look at the new pool.

The £19.7 million facility, which comprises three pools, spa facilities and a gym, opened last week, with full car parks throughout the weekend.

So long were the queues at times, the staff organised for entertainment outside, to keep the crowds happy.

General manager Duncan Anderson said the reaction to the pool had been “fantastic”.

He said: “It was a great opening weekend and we had queues going half-way down to the road at times.

“We had entertainment, including gospel choirs and a steel band and I think most people were happy when they got to the front, despite a long wait.”

Mr Anderson said the majority of feedback has been positive, but he recognised there were things that could be improved upon.

He said: “The staff have been fantastic. We are doing our best and now we have to look at all feedback to keep on top of our customer care.”

The Herald spoke to more than a dozen people outside Splashpoint on Tuesday, with all but one reporting a positive experience.

John Whiteside, 69, from Lancing, said the town was “really lucky” to get such a facility.

He said: “I think it’s brilliant. They got it right having the pool at 25 metres rather than 50.

“Today, the main pool was set at about 1.9 metres deep, and I think some people would prefer it to be the lower setting of 1.2 metres.

There’s no reason why it shouldn’t be that.”Conversely, Sean Longley, 45, from Lancing, took his son to the leisure pool, but found it closed until the afternoon. He said: “It looks nice in there but it’s a bit awkward as the leisure pool was closed until later in the afternoon.”

Worthing Borough Council leader Paul Yallop said he had taken his daughter to the pool and they were both pleased with it.

Mr Yallop, whose name was used for the “Captain Yallop” pirate ship in the leisure pool, said: “You always get a range of opinions but it has been absolutely crammed so far.

“It was also encouraging to see a few spare car parking spaces, too.” Mr Anderson, in response to the feedback, said: “During the holidays the leisure pool will be open from about 9am. In the meantime, there are sessions that take place in the mornings.

“As far as I’m aware, for lane swimming sessions the depth was supposed to be between 1.2 and 1.5 metres, so I value the feedback and will look into it.”