How many readers would have learnt to swim in Paulton’s Community Swimming Pool? Open since 1975, this registered charity hosts a busy timetable of activities for everyone; from very tiny babies to senior citizens and would have taught thousands of people how to swim in the area.

However, there is a facility that is missing – and fundraisers are working hard to try and rectify this, with a huge drive to raise £100,000 to build Disabled and multi-function changing rooms at the pool.

A sponsored swim has paid for plans to be completed, but funds are now being raised to build an extension for the changing rooms.

Recently Paulton Pool was presented with £200 which had been raised by Gregs, Vicky and patrons at the Lamb Inn, Paulton, through the Bonus Ball initiative.

Nicola Phillips, Pool Manager, said: “We have been running the appeal for the last three years, and in that time, we have looked for grant funding, but have been unsuccessful.

“We need to raise £100,000 and we need it as soon as possible. We are going to be running buy a brick at Tesco, have run competitions at the pool and people can get in touch via Facebook or you can call in to the pool to donate.

“We would love to have the new facility by the end of the year, as we now have lots of children that swim with mainstream schools that have special needs, and we do not have the facilities for them, which needs to be rectified.”

Paulton Pool offers swimming from preschool age, water safety and lifeguarding courses, mermaid snorkelling, swimfit, kayak/canoeing, water polo, inflatables and more! Both Paulton Infant and Junior School children use the pool regularly for swimming lessons, giving village children the opportunity to learn to swim. The pool was redeveloped in 2011, but as a charity, relies on funding. Paulton Parish Council is responsible for the lease.