I HEARD from a fellow swimmer that there is a proposal to change the swimming times at Okehampton Swimming Pool. After completing my early morning swim, I read the proposed times.

I am amazed and appalled at the proposed changes.

We are constantly told of how unhealthy Britain is becoming and the increasing cost of medical care that will hit our NHS in future years. It is especially the younger generation that need to be educated. Subsequently, as a parent I strive to lead by example to teach my children that being active, coupled with healthy diet is the way forward.

Due to the proposals my chance to show this to my children will be reduced and in turn my healthy lifestyle will be affected.

I am a working parent with a busy life, which does not stop after the normal 9 till 5 working hours, but continues into the evenings, taking my children to various sporting activities. All that in mind I still find time to swim four times a week. This allows me to stay fit, to relax and have a bit more me time.

However, the reduction in adult swimming and sunriser morning swim will completely change this and I will be lucky to be able to swim once a week. I will not be able to swim any time during the week after 9o'clock and will not be able to have an early swim at the weekends — the latter I choose to do at that time so that I can spend time with my family thereafter.

This is absolutely atrocious. I have been a swimming member for the past four-years plus, and not once have I been written to about this proposed change. So as for 'the user group' being consulted

. . . did no-one think to ask the swimmers that use the pool?

I am not the only person this will affect. All those working people who can only use the pool for the weekend sunriser morning swim or adult swim will not be able to do so anymore. Also, all those users that swim before they go to work will now not have the time to do so as the pool will not open until 8am.

I have heard of so many people being outraged by all this. Even those people who do not use the pool are disgusted with the proposed time changes. Yet again, it is another reason for so many people to become even more disheartened at the current state of Okehampton town.

Nicky Goodchild

Northfield Road

Okehampton

I READ with interest your article re Parklands Swimming pool times. As someone who uses the pool three or more times a week I would also ask 'what consultation'? The morning swimmers have not been consulted in any way.

Many of those using the pool for the 7am swim are considering cancelling their membership with Parklands, as it will be of no use to them.

Could it be that instead of saving money they could lose money from the loss of members?

If Mr Nick Payne is concerned about being able to deliver a valuable community service' maybe he should talk to those using the service. He will then be better able to deliver the service?

John Hawkins

Station Road

Halwill Junction

I AM very upset at the proposals to reduce the opening hours at Parklands pool in Okehampton. A town as large as Okehampton needs an efficiently managed facility - there are no other swimming pools local to Okehampton and the surrounding villages - no competition at all - I question how on earth Parklands are not a profitable concern.

I have swum at Parklands nearly everyday since it opened and my view is that although the duty managers, poolside, and the reception staff are hardworking and very pleasant, the people who own and oversee Parklands have no imagination. There is no excuse. They need to get together, sort out how to make our pool work for everyone, surely it's not rocket science!

Mary Anne Hamer

Higher Maddaford

Okehampton