Free swimming for over 60s comes to an end

Over 60s across West Berkshire will now have to pay a concessionary charge to swim at leisure centres

A POPULAR initiative that allowed over 60s to swim for free in West Berkshire has been stopped as a result of the budget cuts across the district.

A national free swimming scheme for over 60s ended in July last year, although West Berkshire Council agreed to fund an additional eight months of sessions twice a week at Hungerford, Kennet, Willink and Northcroft Leisure Centres until March 31, 2011.

This was a popular scheme, with 405 recorded swims in approximately 48 sessions in the three month period between December and February, but now that it has come to an end, over 60s have been left with no free swimming at leisure centres in West Berkshire.

West Berkshire Council spokesman, Phil Spray, said however that over 60s can still pay a concessionary charge of £1.60 for swimming at the leisure centres before 5pm Monday to Friday and between 1pm and 5pm at weekends.

He said this was compared to a regular adult fee of £3.10.

Have you been affected by this? Did you take advantage of the free swimming? If so, let us know by contacting Robert Warlow on 01635 564540 or via email at robert.warlow@newburynews.co.uk