Fundraisers to make a splash for open-air pool

Fundraisers are hoping a sponsored swim will help them secure the future of an open-air swimming pool that has been shut for three years.

County Durham's only heated lido, at Stanhope, closed in 2023 after a major electrical failure in its plant room.

A group of swimmers from across the Wear Valley will jointly complete 804 lengths of Wolsingham Pool on 23 August, aiming to raise £1,000 towards redevelopment works.

The mixed team of adults and children hope to swim a total of 10 miles (16km) - equivalent to the round trip distance between Wolsingham and Stanhope - in two hours.

Laura Alliston, one of the team taking part, said: "We all desperately want the pool to reopen.

"When we heard that a fund had been set up to achieve this, we wanted to do something apt to help raise awareness for the fund and to raise some money towards it.

"The children really wanted to be involved too, so we are a very mixed age team - from six to 69 years old."

Steve Lumb, from the Weardale Open Air Pool fundraising group, said: "The pool was built in 1974 and has been run as a charity ever since.

"People travelled from all over the North East to use it.

"Our first target is to raise £50,000 which should allow us to open by 2027.

"Our longer term aims are to refurbish the changing rooms, open a cafe and have a hot tub or sauna."

Since Stanhope shut, much of the renovation work completed has been carried out by volunteers and local tradespeople offering services and funding.

On the day of the big swim, the charity operating the pool will host an open day so people can see the work taking place and speak with trustees.

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