Axminster Nub News is supporting the Flamingo Community Pools Jubilee Project to raise £250,000 by publishing their monthly newsletter.

The Jubilee Project aims:

• to raise funds to install renewable and sustainable energy sources to allow the pools to run as economically and efficiently as practically feasible with as little impact on the environment as possible.
• to increase the community awareness of our pool facilities
• to have fun in our 25th year - the Flamington Smile Factor!

Fundraising

Thank you to the Axe River Women's Institute for donation of £100.

Thank you to the anonymous donor of £20.

Thank you to Uplyme Parish Council for a donation of £500.

The World Cup sweepstake, organised by Hannah one of the duty managers, has currently raised £180. Thank you Hannah.

 Bid Writing

The team of the bids funders has identified a lot of grant funding opportunities where we meet all the criteria. When we have plans drawn up and have been able to get them costed, we will be able to apply.

If you have some bid writing experience and would like to be one of our team please email [email protected]

Energy

The trustees had a very informative meeting with Luke and Thomas at the Total Renewable Solutions offices. If we cover the roof on one side of the pool with solar (PV) panels it will generate about 20 per cent of our current annual electricity usage.

We have now had several meetings with Gale and Snowdon architects, and have also looked at other options for providers of energy-saving refurbishments. Talks are ongoing and there will be more information coming soon.

 Flamingo Smile Factor

Jubilee Jump In! We will be starting the New Year with ages 0 - 100 years in the pool together on the afternoon of Sunday January 22. Elaine Voysey is organising this and she will be putting up notices at the pool. If you have relations or friends in the 90+ age category who don't normally swim but would like to join us, please give their name to reception.

 What is coming up?

Round the UK in 80 days!

We are going to be organising a huge event to bring all swimmers at the pool together. Whether you are five years or 95 years-old and you swim a few lengths a week or you are one of the long-distance swimmers we would love to have you join us for our sponsored swim starting in mid-January.More information will be available at the pool in the New Year including sponsorship forms and a huge map to show our collective progress around the coastline.

Over the course of the year, Karen is going to cook Sunday suppers for 11 guests on a monthly basis. The first is on Sunday, January 22 and will be four courses of Vietnamese food to celebrate Chinese New Year. Due to the nature of the cuisine seen there will be vegetarian but not vegan options. If you would like a copy of the menu please email [email protected] Places need to be booked in advance and donations, all of which will go to the Jubilee project, will be taken on the night.

 Can you help us?

Rachel is writing a song called 'Flamingo Smile'  to be performed at the pool by local people. Each verse will be about people who use the pool. She would like to find and talk to a couple who met at the pool, as well as someone who uses the hydrotherapy pool and someone with an interesting story of why they use the pool. Please email [email protected] and Rachel will contact you. Thank you.

If Aunt Mabel gives you socks or smellies or nick-nacks for Christmas that you really don't want, please consider donating them to the pool for use as tombola prizes. There will be a box behind reception for donated items.

 Dates for your diary

Friday May 12 – auction the Guildhall run by the Friends of Flamingo Pool

Saturday, September 9 – Summer Birthday Ball at Weycroft Hall.

Tuesday, September 12 – Pool Birthday – 25 years old!

Saturday,September 16 – a walking entry in Axminster Carnival.

 Friends of Flamingo Pool

A coffee morning was on December 14th at the pool when the Christmas draw took place.

Sadly, it poured with rain for lights up Axminster on November 26 but spirits were only a little dampened.