A recent Government announcement to withdraw funding for the free swim programme from the end of July has been met with disappointment by swimmers young and old.  With this in mind Ashfield District Council will be funding an additional 5 weeks free swimming to the end of the school summer holidays for those age groups affected – 16’s and under and 60’s and over.

Since the beginning of the free swim scheme in 2008 which Ashfield started four months earlier than other districts in the county there has been a rise of over 60,00 people swimming in the district’s swimming pools

Simon Fearn the Contract Manager for Sports and Leisure Management Ltd who operate the district’s six leisure centres commented, ‘This offer means that most of our customers will get to swim free throughout August and into September. Summer is our busiest time of year for casual swimming, particularly during the school holidays. This offer will mean that many local children will get to swim for free during this time.’

Ashfield District Council's Deputy Leader John Wilmott said, ’We are committed to Sports & Physical Activity in Ashfield and understand the benefits that the free swimming programme can bring. This is another initiative funded by the local authority for the local community.’

Free swimming for those aged 60 and over and 16 and under will continue to be available at all the SLM run pools during Swim 4 All sessions until Monday 6th September 2010. Your local pools are at Edgewood Leisure Centre, Hucknall Leisure Centre and Lammas leisure Centre.

For more information on timetables or how to enrol on Everyone Active swimming lessons visit www.everyoneactive.com or call into your nearest centre.