The next meeting of the Haggerston Pool Campaign is on THURSDAY DECEMBER 11TH at 5:30PM at QUEENSBRIDGE DOCTORS PRACTICE which is on HOLLY ST. We're meeting earlier than usual as the surgery's insurance only lasts till 7:30pm -thanks very much to them for offering us a meeting space. Everyone welcome to the meeting.

The Learning Trust's proposals to include Haggerston pool in a new City Academy (independent mixed secondary school) on the site of Laburnum school are progressing. The Learning Trust were given a grant to produce an initial viability study for the whole proposal which was produced in the summer. A private sponsor (who will contribute about £2 million pounds) is now involved in the scheme. Max Caller, chief executive of Hackney, told the Shoreditch Neighbourhood Forum last night that the private sponsor was in discussion with the DFES (Department for Education and Skills) and that the Council and Learning Trust are waiting for a report of their findings in the New Year.

The Haggerston Pool Community Trust welcome the plan to re-open Haggeston Baths. However we are concerned that the Council and the Learning Trust are not communicating with us about this proposal. While we support the need to re-introduce swimming into the school curriculum and to give priority to schools for swimming, we would like an assurance that the pool will also be an affordable facility for the whole community.

Clissold Leisure centre was closed without notice last Wednesday 26th November. It was left to the swimming coach to inform children about the closure when they turned up for practice in the evening. Swimmers have been told that they will not be reimbursed for season tickets as there are other facilities they can use.

The press release from Hackney Council said "Due to recent poor weather and structural leaks it has become necessary to close the entire centre for an initial period of one week while damage is assessed". Max Caller, chief executive of Hackney Council, told the Shoreditch Neighbourhood Committee last night that the centre would be closed for 3 months. He said an architect had been employed to list the faults and the Council were involved in litigation about the original cost of the centre (alleged to be over £30 million) and had no intention of paying for the work needed now.

More information on the Clissold User Group site www.clissoldleisure.com

The estates surrounding Haggerston Pool are earmarked for re-development. A preferred bidder - London and Quadrant Housing Association was approved by the Council in October. The proposal is to build 720 units to replace 600 - made up of 3/4 bedroom maisonettes - no more than 4 stories high, - and flats up to 7 stories high - this would be worth £120 million and half would be for sale. Negotiations on track for transfer in March 2005. The first meeting between the Housing Association and Tenants/Leaseholders will be mid december and a public exhibition will be arranged as soon as possible after that. It is possible that the community centre will be knocked down and rebuilt as part of the development.

This development is dependent on a "yes" vote in a ballot of tenants and leaseholders.

This Sunday 7th December 2003 the programme London’s Home Movies gives viewers an opportunity to see the Lido at London Fields in its heyday. The show goes out at 5.35pm on ITV1 and features 1960’s footage of the Lido, supplied courtesy of London Fields User Group and donated by Iris Crow – who tells the story of the days her family spent at the pool. London Fields User Group has been working with sports management professionals Market Sports, Matthew Lloyd Architects and community development charity the Environment Trust on a £1.4 million plan to reopen the Lido all year round.
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London Pools Campaign is putting together a photographic exhibition of all the closed pools in London - to be shown in time for the London Mayor elections next July.
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