Information on Loughborough

Worlds Best Backing Free Swimming Offer

Posted on 04/03/2009

A NEW scheme to offer free swimming for elderly and young people at Charnwood Borough Council-owned pools has been backed by one of the worlds best long-distance swimmers.

Dr Julie Bradshaw MBEis encouraging as many people as possible to take advantage of the initiative when it is launched at the beginning of next month.

The Council has successfully bid for a share of Government cash to allow people aged 60 and over and 16 and under to use the Authoritys swimming facilities without paying.

It will be available at Loughborough Leisure Centre, Soar Valley Leisure Centre and the South Charnwood Swimming Pool from April 1st.

Julie, who is known as Madfish and trains at Loughborough Leisure Centre, has been swimming since the age of six and currently holds 17 world records.

She is in the Guinness Book of Records for completing the fastest-ever swim of the English Channel using only the butterfly stroke - recording a time of 14 hours and eight minutes in August 2002.

Julie, who trains for up to 14 hours a week, said: "Its a very good idea to offer free swimming and I hope this offer will encourage people to take it up.

"You will gain the full benefits, even if you swim for just 20 minutes. It helps keep the body and mind fit and healthy and its also an exercise thats good for mobility.

"Swimming gives people a focus and it can be a fun and sociable activity. The incentive is there now to go and do it and enjoy the benefits from it.

Cllr Peter Lewis, Charnwoods Cabinet member for Leisure, said:"Its so important we ensure that the people we live with maintain a sense of well-being physically and mentally and swimming is one sure way to achieve that.

"If youre 60 and over, water offers you the freedom to take the burden off your limbs and feel incredibly young and fit.

"If youre 16 and under, then leap into clear bright water to simply play - and then hopefully develop swimming skills.

"We have splendid Leisure Centres and a number of swimming pools here across the whole Borough - I would urge both young and old to make the most of them.

To find out swimming pool timetables, call Loughborough Leisure Centre on (Loughborough 01509) 611 080, Soar Valley Leisure Centre on (0116) 237 5267 or South Charnwood Swimming Pool on (0116) 264 0057.

Alternatively, log on to www.charnwood.gov.uk/leisure

Meanwhile, Julie gives talks to groups about her swimming achievements and to find out more, log on to www.getset4success.co.uk.