MRC:: An Open and Shut Case Govanhill baths

The prestigious Medical Research Council has published its study: An Open and Shut Case. An investigation of the health impacts of local swimming pool provision in two Glasgow neighbourhoods. (Pollokshaws and Govanhill)It concluded;

* Closure of a local amenity may add to residents feelings of lack of choice and control.
* Neighbourhood amenities, like public swimming pools, may promote positive mental health and wellbeing among local residents by providing a safe public space for meeting people
* Links between casual social contact among residents and positive mental health may be explained by reducing feelings of stress, isolation and sharing common difficulties of life
* Certain groups such as the elderly, parents with young children and those with no access to a car may particularly benefit from local amenity provision

* A range of different types is required to cater for different resident groups.

The full report is available here, and makes fascinating reading particularly the many direct comments from local people. The study was conducted completely independently of the Save Our Pool Campaign and this Trust. However it echoes strongly the results of our own study (available on request) of 300 local residents in 2001.

Blasts from the Past! : Westminster Parliament Report

In 2001 the Save Our Pool presented to Parliament in Westminster our case for the preservation of the baths. This was in a context where MP Gerald Hoffman had instigated a formal investigation into “the Sport of Swimming”. Campaigners from all over the UK who were trying to save their local community swimming pools (often in Listed buildings) from demolition by local authorities and against the wishes of local people were invited to put their case to the Committee. In Glasgow’s case it concluded;

The Government and its policies will be assessed on the way it has been delivered. This report from the Calder Street Pool demonstrates that in so many policy documents and reports, Government and public policies are not being implemented at the local council level, in Glasgow and many examples throughout the country.

The report was completely ignored by the Scottish Executive and Glasgow City Council.

Far more than a swimming pool
It was a baths and a bathing house for the health, recreation and fitness of the people where ... Govanhill Pool indelibly marks a Scottish sense of place!

http://www.scottishleftreview.org/php/upload/I12AJ.htm (Scottish Left Review)
Latest Evening Times Report

www.eveningtimes.co.uk/hi/news/5036348

“We want a wind turbine” on the top of Queens Park….
The money generated from our scheme could go towards funding community causes, such as the Govanhill Baths Trust.
Submission of final bid to council

As a result of the concerns we expressed about the funding requirement modifications have been made and these are attached below in a letter from Steve Inch Director of DRS Glasgow. As you will see we no longer need to have funds in place by 14th March 2006 - a requirement that as we explained would have been quite impossible.
Letter from Steve Inch
I refer to your most recent exchange of emails with Frank Sheridan regarding the above. Unfortunately Frank is on annual leave and I am unable to discuss the contents with him for the time being.
I write however, to acknowledge that I am fully aware of the complexities of raising funding for a project of this nature, and of the timescales involved in dealing with the principal funding sources.
I am therefore prepared to amend the Council’s position to ensure that you have the maximum opportunity to develop your proposals. By the 14th March deadline I would therefore ask you to provide me with

(a) copy of your detailed feasibility study and development proposal
(b) copy of the proposed income sources for the capital works, with copies of applications to funding sources and an indication of the timescales for their decisions, and
(c) copies of the income and expenditure plan for the project once it is complete, demonstrating that it can operate on a financially viable basis.

I accept therefore that you will be unable to have funding from all sources confirmed by 14th March but would expect you to be able to clearly demonstrate what funding sources you are targeting for contributions, that applications for funding have been made, and when you expect the decisions to be taken.

This will provide me with sufficient information to prepare a progress report to the DRS Committee.
I trust you will find this helpful.
Media Release Archive
DRS response

Council consider Govanhill Baths Community Trust application

London Pools Campiagn/ Access to the baths

Regeneration Services plans/ Council's media release / End of February news

Council's position on Govanhill Baths "surplus to requirements"/ Other early February news

Diving into action! News articles

Recent quotes about the pool

More quotes

City Centre ask for interest in baths


See attachment for layout

Govanhill Baths

Community Trust
Registered Scottish Charity No: SC 036162
Recent Media Releases

http://www.geocities.com/govanhillbaths/index.html

N.B. If you find problems with this, above, website they are in the process of being rectified so do keep in touch. Thanks for your support.

Contact us at govanhillbaths@yahoo.co.uk for more information.

MRC: An Open and Shut Case

The prestigious Medical Research Council has published its study: An Open and Shut Case. An investigation of the health impacts of local swimming pool provision in two Glasgow neighbourhoods. (Pollokshaws and Govanhill)
It concluded;
* Closure of a local amenity may add to residents feelings of lack of choice and control.
* Neighbourhood amenities, like public swimming pools, may promote positive mental health and wellbeing among local residents by providing a safe public space for meeting people
* Links between casual social contact among residents and positive mental health may be explained by reducing feelings of stress, isolation and sharing common difficulties of life
* Certain groups such as the elderly, parents with young children and those with no access to a car may particularly benefit from local amenity provision

* A range of different types is required to cater for different resident groups.



The full report is available here, and makes fascinating reading particularly the many direct comments from local people. The study was conducted completely independently of the Save Our Pool Campaign and this Trust. However it echoes strongly the results of our own study (available on request) of 300 local residents in 2001.



Blasts from the Past! : Westminster Parliament Report

In 2001 the Save Our Pool presented to Parliament in Westminster our case for the preservation of the baths. This was in a context where MP Gerald Hoffman had instigated a formal investigation into “the Sport of Swimming”. Campaigners from all over the UK who were trying to save their local community swimming pools (often in Listed buildings) from demolition by local authorities and against the wishes of local people were invited to put their case to the Committee. In Glasgow’s case it concluded;



The Government and its policies will be assessed on the way it has been delivered. This report from the Calder Street Pool demonstrates that in so many policy documents and reports, Government and public policies are not being implemented at the local council level, in Glasgow and many examples throughout the country.



The report was completely ignored by the Scottish Executive and Glasgow City Council.



Far more than a swimming pool


It was a baths and a bathing house for the health, recreation and fitness of the people where ... Govanhill Pool indelibly marks a Scottish sense of place!



http://www.scottishleftreview.org/php/upload/I12AJ.htm (Scottish Left Review)



Latest Evening Times Report

www.eveningtimes.co.uk/hi/news/5036348



“We want a wind turbine” on the top of Queens Park….



The money generated from our scheme could go towards funding community causes, such as the Govanhill Baths Trust.





Submission of final bid to council



As a result of the concerns we expressed about the funding requirement modifications have been made and these are attached below in a letter from Steve Inch Director of DRS Glasgow. As you will see we no longer need to have funds in place by 14th March 2006 - a requirement that as we explained would have been quite impossible.



Letter from Steve Inch



I refer to your most recent exchange of emails with Frank Sheridan regarding the above. Unfortunately Frank is on annual leave and I am unable to discuss the contents with him for the time being.



I write however, to acknowledge that I am fully aware of the complexities of raising funding for a project of this nature, and of the timescales involved in dealing with the principal funding sources.



I am therefore prepared to amend the Council’s position to ensure that you have the maximum opportunity to develop your proposals. By the 14th March deadline I would therefore ask you to provide me with:



(a) copy of your detailed feasibility study and development proposal

(b) copy of the proposed income sources for the capital works, with copies of applications to funding sources and an indication of the timescales for their decisions, and

(c) copies of the income and expenditure plan for the project once it is complete, demonstrating that it can operate on a financially viable basis.



I accept therefore that you will be unable to have funding from all sources confirmed by 14th March but would expect you to be able to clearly demonstrate what funding sources you are targeting for contributions, that applications for funding have been made, and when you expect the decisions to be taken.



This will provide me with sufficient information to prepare a progress report to the DRS Committee.



I trust you will find this helpful.



Media Release Archive



DRS response

Council consider Govanhill Baths Community Trust application

London Pools Campiagn/ Access to the baths

Regeneration Services plans/ Council's media release / End of February news

Council's position on Govanhill Baths "surplus to requirements"/ Other early February news

Diving into action! News articles

Recent quotes about the pool

More quotes

City Centre ask for interest in baths