SCHOOLCHILDREN are finally back having fun and learning to swim in Settle Area Swimming Pool after a marathon rebuild, inspired by a community-led fundraising transformation.

The 50-year-old pool was formally opened by MP Julian Smith – helped by Settle’s own music legend Brit Award winner James Newman, together with dozens of volunteers and fundraisers.

Their “unstinting and selfless efforts” made sure that the £840,000 bill to completely revamp the outdated pool could be paid, thanks in large part to wider support from hundreds of local people who contributed to the pool’s rebuild and new roof campaigns.

Just a year ago Storm Arwen derailed plans to keep the pool open during building work. Arwen tore through the site destroying a large section of the pool roof. It has now been completely replaced, with the addition of environmentally friendly solar panels designed to keep a lid on energy bills.

Mr Smith hailed the efforts of the local community in managing to deliver the project despite the pandemic, and the difficulties of raising funds. North Yorkshire and Craven councillors had helped, but the local community had used “recycling and revenue generating ideas” to drive the project to fruition.

He said: "It was excellent to be a part of the re-opening of Settle Area Swimming Pool, a great asset to the local community – with impressive new facilities. It is always great to see community hubs like this in rural areas."

Chair of the Pool Trustees Pat Taylor paid tribute to the Friends of the Pool, Sport England, Craven District Council and many other organisations who had backed the rebuild. But the key to its successful transformation lay with the people of Settle and area, she said: “Without the efforts of our community this pool would not be in place.” The pool was first mooted in the 1930s as locals were worried about children swimming in the River Ribble, she said, but it took until the 70s to be built.

Some of the original supporters attended the pool reopening – they had overcome “high inflation and rising building costs to achieve their target; some things never change,” declared Pat. While it had served the Settle community well since then, it was in desperate need of updating and repair.

Although paper recycling had helped build a strong foundation for the rebuild fund, it was the decision to open the Pool Charity Shop which really accelerated fundraising. More than £300,000 has been raised through the shop, which generates around £80,000 a year for pool running costs.

Brit Award singer and songwriter James Newman, who in 2021 was selected to represent the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest with the song Embers – was born and grew up in Settle and cut a celebratory cake to mark the rebuild. “I learned to swim here, it’s an honour to do this,” he said.

Disabled groups, parents and toddlers as well as people of all abilities looking to keep fit will now be able to use a new ‘fitspace’ built to augment the pool, which also boasts transformed changing facilities, a café and brand new reception area, said Pool Manager Jenn Hodgkinson.

Trustee Mike Smith stressed that fundraising work “doesn’t stop here” as there will be an ongoing need to build awareness, maintain and support the pool through a very challenging winter ahead. He said all the Pool Trustees wanted to highlight the “unstinting and selfless efforts of a whole team of volunteers and fundraisers, plus the people of Settle and further afield” who supported the project.

Jenn added that schools were now back using the pool from Monday, October 31 after a “very long gap” with bookings “starting to take off” for other community groups using the pool and other facilities.

Councillor Robert Ogden, Craven District Council’s lead member for resilient communities, and ward member for Penyghent, said: “I am delighted that Settle Swimming Pool has reopened after a major redevelopment. The pool means a lot to me personally, as with so many residents of North Craven, it was where I learnt to swim.

“Despite controversies in the past about council funding for the pool, we are pleased to see effective management has allowed the pool to go from strength-to-strength, and diversify its offerings resulting in a bright and assured future.”