THE Herald is putting its weight behind a campaign to save Abingdon open-air swimming pool from possible closure.

For the second time in the past decade, we are calling on residents to act before it is too late – and the pool is lost for ever.

Nine years ago, a Herald petition helped campaigners see off a similar threat – and we expect our readers will step forward again.

The Vale of White Horse District Council is consulting the public on three options for the future of Abbey Meadows aimed at boosting their use by the public.

But while one of the scenarios would see the pool, changing rooms and toilets refurbished, the two others would see it closed.

Campaigner Peter Harbour, a member of the Friends of Abbey Meadows Outdoor Pool group, is urging residents to take part in the consultation, opting for the proposal that would see the pool retained and improved.

Mr Harbour said: “We are delighted the Herald is backing our campaign.”

The two other options for the future of Abbey Meadows would see the development of a riverside cafe or the use of the area as a “flexible green space” for various activities.

As well as asking our readers to take part in the consultation, which runs until Tuesday, April 7, the Herald is urging them to lobby Vale council Matthew Barber on the issue.

Herald editor Simon O’Neill said: “The Herald is backing the residents’ campaign to keep the outdoor pool – as it did almost a decade ago.

“We are urging people to take part in the consultation and choose the option to refurbish the pool.”

On Monday, Mr Harbour donned a wetsuit and flippers to splash around in a padding pool full of water set up by the pool's Friends group in the town's shopping precinct to remind shoppers of the threat looming over the pool's future.

Retired physicist Mr Harbour, 75, who lives in Abingdon, said: “I’m surprised the council hasn’t learnt its lesson from 2006.

“We spoke to about 100 shoppers and the vast majority were in favour of keeping the outdoor pool.“I paid £5 for the paddling pool to make the point that this is what people would be left with if the outdoor pool closes."

Mr Harbour, a founder member of Abingdon Swimming Club when it launched 42 years ago, said: “We think the pool could be refurbished for about £250,000 and have been asking people to take part in the consultation.

“As part of the refurbishment the water could be made warmer and that would encourage more swimmers to use it – some people don’t want to go in because the water is too cold.

“We have also spent about £120 on 10,000 flyers as part of our campaign.

“I think the strength of feeling now in favour of keeping the pool is even greater than it was in 2006.”

Herald Series:
Looking back . . . The pool in 2005 when it was closed

The Vale has already received more than 650 responses to its Abbey Meadows consultation.

Mr Barber said: “We have put aside £500,000 for Abbey Meadows and want to make sure keeping the pool is the preferred option for residents.”

He said the result of the consultation would influence the decision on which option was chosen, adding: “The majority of responses so far are in favour of keeping the pool.”

Leisure firm GLL runs the pool on behalf of the council and it opens between May and September.

The council closed the pool for a year in 2005 to save cash but the following year it was saved by the Abingdon Herald and Abingdon Town Council campaign.

To take part in the consultation, visit consult.southandvale.gov.uk – email Mr Barber at matthew.barber@whitehorse.dc.gov.uk