Boost for Shepway Swimmers

Government and NHS funded free swimming for anyone aged 60 and over or 16 and under starts on 1 April. Shepway Free Splash will offer free swims for both age groups at Hythe Pool or for specially-tailored sessions at Folkestone Sports Centre.

Shepway District Council has received new government funding to make sure local people have access to a free swimming initiative in council-owned pools. In Shepway, the only council-owned pool is at Hythe, so it looked like the popular pool at the Folkestone Sports Centre, which is owned by an independent charitable trust, was going to lose out.

But the council has also agreed a deal with NHS Eastern and Coastal Kent that will see an additional £40,000 a year being put in to the scheme, which will enable free water based activity sessions at the Folkestone Sports Centre too.

At Hythe Pool eligible age groups can enjoy free swimming whenever the pool is open for public swimming sessions. Just make sure you take along proof of your age.

The NHS-funded sessions at Folkestone Sports Centre aim to help people get fit and stay healthy. Just ask for an application form for one of the specific free sessions:

• Grandparent and Child Water confidence course
• Over 60s Learn to Swim Course
• Over 60s Water Aerobics
• Family Water Walkers fun time
• Cool 2B Fit: add on to Gym or the Core
• Teen Fun Weekend Swim

To pick up a information sheet with more details from council offices, Hythe Pool or Folkestone Sports Centre; visit www.shepway.gov.uk or contact Folkestone Sports Centre on 01303 850222 or Hythe Pool on 01303 269177