The pool friends are finishing working on the painting this week and have ten autographed copies of the article available  to the highest bidders.  Starting bid £5. Shortly to appear on our website at:

 www.abingdonoutdoorpool.org.uk .

Other promotions foreseen include one on season tickets (not yet approved!) and an autographed copy of a top local personality painting the pool (Details to follow).

Article from Oxfordshire Guardian:

A team of volunteers have begun work to spruce up Abingdon’s outdoor pool, ahead of its opening for the summer season later this month.

The Friends of Abbey Meadow Outdoor Pool (FOAMOP) began painting the pool buildings on Tuesday, after Vale of White Horse District Council offered materials and supervision for the project.

The pool enjoyed a resurgence last year with visitor numbers up significantly on 2012, and is reopening on May 24.

Peter Harbour, a founding member of FOAMOP, said: “The Abbey Meadow Pool is one of six outdoor pools in Oxfordshire, and we want this to be one of the best.

“The council has agreed to this by providing the materials and health and safety coverage, so we’re very pleased that we’re going to be able to make a difference.”

Caroline Bullock, vice-chairman of FOAMOP, added: “We are pleased to have been given the opportunity to set the scene for a wonderful summer at the Abbey Meadow pool.”

Volunteers were joined by the newly-elected Abingdon mayor Angela Lawrence on Tuesday afternoon, who paid a visit to support their efforts.

She said: “It’s great that the pool is going to be cleaned ready for another year.

“FOAMOP are a very busy, active group in saving the pool, as it has been under threat several times because of funding.”

In February, district council leader Matthew Barber stated rumours that the outdoor pool could close this year were “definitely not the case”.

The leisure management contract for the district, which covers the operation of Abingdon’s outdoor pool, is currently out to tender.

It is hoped that a new contractor will be found later this year, ahead of the pool’s 2015 season.

Article and image from Oxfordshire Guardian