Lido organisers' publicity plea

Nearly 2,000 youngsters have visited the lido this summer

Volunteers helping to run one of the last lidos in Wales say not enough is being done to promote the pool.

Despite the uncertain weather almost 2,000 children have taken a dip in the Brynamman lido in the summer holidays.

But it is claimed Carmarthenshire council is doing little to publicise it and volunteers fear it may shut.

The council says it has put a lot of money in to the pool and is committed to keeping it open, although admits road signs are needed.

It is very much part of the heritage of the area and the heritage of Wales Angela Russell

The pool was built thanks to miners donating a penny a week from their wages to provide social facilities in the Amman Valley.

The local authority owns the site and provides £7,000 a year funding.

But it is managed and run by a small band of volunteers who also do their own fundraising to open it every summer during the school holidays.

Angela Russell, secretary of the Brynamman Swimming Pool Association, said: "It is a safe and fun place for all children in the valley but it is kept a secret.

Five mile walk

"Even in this poor summer in the first four weeks, 1984 children have visited the pool.

"Some come every day, some walk in from villages up to five miles away.

"There are no signs on the road to let you know that this facility exists.

"There is no mention of Brynamman Pool in any publicity issued by the council.

Angela Russell says more must be done to promote the pool

"It is as if they are embarrassed that the 1930s pool still exists, as if they are holding their breath and waiting for support to drop off so that they can quietly close it.

"It should be an object of pride. It is very much part of the heritage of the area and the heritage of Wales."

The volunteers took over the running of the pool three years ago when its future was uncertain.

Ms Russell added: "A small group of mothers and young people formed an association to lobby the council to stop its closure.

"The council agreed to keep the pool going and put in two lifeguards if the association put in volunteer time.

"We do this by running a shop and cafe, looking after the children and taking visitor numbers."

The lido will continue to stay open seven days a week until the end of the holidays on 4 September.

Original features

The council's senior leisure manager Ian Jones said the authority was committed to keeping the pool going.

"Brynamman Pool is an excellent community facility which the county council has given a lot of support to.

"We have also invested heavily in the pool over the past couple of years.

"It is promoted on our website and has its own section with details of opening hours and other information.

"We have helped them produce a pamphlet advertising the pool with a detailed map on the back.

"Currently there are no signs at the end of the road but we have some on order and they will be in place for the next summer season.

"We hold regular monthly meetings with the pool committee and they have not given us any indication that they wanted more help in promoting the facility."

Hundreds of lidos were built across the UK in the 1920s and 1930s to promote healthy living but many have now closed.

Brynamman is the last in south west Wales and still has many of its original features including iron turnstiles and wooden changing huts.