Learn to swim!
Our reporters went to Miles Platting Swimming Pool and spoke to the manager Mr John Louise. We wondered whether there are any plans to teach the children of the area how to swim before the Rochdale Canal is restored once again to it’s original depth. John told us.

“We would always encourage children and adults to learn to swim I think it is a vital skill to have. There are a number of things going on at the baths as there always has been. Schools bring the children on a weekly basis at the age of eight or nine, they start in the last term of year three and continue for two terms in year four. We have after schools clubs. Tuesday evening 5pm-7pm. and Saturday morning 10am-2pm. Where the children get to use the pool at a reduced rate. There is also an after school club at Miles Platting pool that has been going for many years now. It is called Progress swimming club. they meet every Friday evening 7-15pm 8-15pm. The head coach is Mr. Alan Roberts.” There are water polo teams, who use the pool regularly.

There is a gymnasium, with fitness clubs including aqua fitness. As well as all this John proudly told us. “Miles Platting pool and their swimming instructor Mr David Kevins hosted the first ever, in the city, Junior Triathlon last year, and they hope to make it an annual event. The children who took part, did the swim first followed by a ride up to and round the velodrome then running round the track at the velodrome and presented with the awards. It was a very successful day all the children enjoyed the experience and we provided all sorts of equipment for them.” John told us about the Life guard training sessions which are a regular occurrence. John himself is a Life Guard trainer assessor and tries to encourage the youths of the area to enrol for the sessions.

We were delighted to hear of all these things going on at the swimming baths as it seems to be a good way of ensuring the children in the area are confident near water and hopefully safe.