With December fast approaching, and mince pies filling the shops, we at Cleveland Pools are busy behind the scenes preparing for work to begin on-site in the new year. This month we introduce a key member of our Social Media team, share with you some important Community Feedback sessions and talk Rigid Hornwort. Intrigued? Then read on…..
Our people
This month, we’d like to introduce Ella Collins, who became a volunteer earlier this year. Ella brings with her impressive knowledge of all things social media, and is one of the team who updates our Facebook and Instagram pages to great effect.
When we asked why she decided to volunteer with us, this is what she said:
“I’ve only lived in Bath for a couple of years but nowhere has ever felt more like home to me. The Pools exemplify everything I love about this city – its history, its strong community spirit and the sense of pride that comes with living in such a special place.
My ‘day job’ is in marketing for wildlife and safari travel but it’s rare that I get the opportunity to shout about what’s going on in my own back yard. I’m helping Cleveland Pools with their press and social media which is very exciting because it feels like I’m privy to all the latest happenings. Sharing the Pools’ news is a constant joy because everyone is always so excited to hear the updates. It’s an easy sell!
I’m a keen outdoor swimmer so my ulterior motive for all this is the early morning dips when then time comes. The pools will be such a unique and fabulous facility for Bath – I can’t wait!”
P.S. If you don’t follow us on social media yet, then please sign up!
In the last few weeks we’ve worked with some key community groups to test the material we’re developing for various key sites around the pools. These included a fantastic workshop run by Art Cohort https://www.theartcohort.co.uk where we asked local children to respond to content relating to our Nature Bench and the environment around the pools. The event was a huge success and inspired some wonderful wildlife-inspired drawings. Many thanks to Kat and Millie at Art Cohort and Jess our volunteer who wrote the content and answered all the questions about nature during the session.
A second session with Teenage Rampage, run by Bath Area Play Project, http://www.bapp.org.uk/our-play-services/short-breaks-teenage-rampage/ gave us the chance to see what local teenagers thought of the characters who will appear on displays in the changing rooms. There was much excitement surrounding the pools reopening and more beautiful artwork ensued. Sam Ward who runs Teenage Rampage said afterwards “We loved having you at the session and it was great to see the response of the young people. They are all looking forward to being able to visit Cleveland Pools in person in the future. Thank you so much for asking for our input!”
European Thermal Heritage Day in Baden-Baden
“Thermal Architecture” was the subject of the third European Thermal Heritage Day on 16th October, organised by the European Historic Thermal Towns Association (EHTTA). We were thrilled when our talented Project Director, Anna Baker, was invited to be a panellist. The conference was to have taken place in Baden-Baden but due to Covid-19 restrictions Anna attended the conference virtually from Bristol instead. Here’s a link to Anna’s ‘Roundtable’ presentation, which is well worth a watch:
We at Cleveland Pools take ecology and nature very seriously and were delighted to liberate and rehome some rigid hornwort (Ceratophyllum demersum) this week. This feathery-leaved native oxygenating aquatic plant was first identified as growing within the pools in 2015. Although generally widespread and quite common, following some maintenance works in the 90s it had significantly reduced along the Kennet and Avon Canal prompting an initial translocation to two locations in 2016.
During this year's draining of the Pools, Beard Construction helped our ecologists Clarkson and Woods collect several plants, while Laura Mullholland of the Canals and Rivers Trust identified a suitable receptor site where the rigid hornwort might establish well. A perfect site was found and discussed with Andy Keith of Heron Canal Land, a group of residents who have taken over conservation of the canal bank behind their houses. Andy visited the Pools to look at the plants and translocated them with the help of Frank, one of our trusty volunteers. The rigid hornwort sinks within the water column over winter, but should be visible next summer. Thank you to everyone involved in this ecological rescue!
Fundraising
We are always fundraising, so if you’d like to make a donation (large or small!) we would be very grateful. Please follow this link: https://bit.ly/2MxFkhv
Stay safe, and do please stay in touch.
Cleveland Pools Trust
Acacia Lodge, Kensington Place, Bath, Somerset United Kingdom
We are emailing you on the basis of our legitimate interest because you have previously been in contact with Cleveland Pools and provided us with your details. If you would prefer not to receive communications from us in the future, please unsubscribe here
