Trevor joins pools battle (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Trevor joins pools battle

10:14am Wednesday 2nd July 2008 in News By Newsdesk

Trevor Gott, 71, of Cottingley, has collected hundreds of signatures for the Telegraph & Argus Save Our Swim Campaign.

Mr Gott, above, who has lost both legs due to circulatory problems, swims five times a week in Bingley and Bowling.

He said: “If the pools at Bingley and Bowling close what am I going to do? They are talking about one big pool with eight lanes, well that’s no good to me – I can’t swim in lanes. I don’t have any legs and swim quite slowly because I obviously can’t kick.

“I am trying to get as many people as possible to sign the T&A petitions and to be honest it hasn’t been difficult.”

Mr Gott said he was outraged when he heard a report commissioned by Bradford Council recommended the closure of pools at Bingley, Queensbury, Manningham and Richard Dunn Sports Centre at Odsal. Mr Gott said he was opposed to any closures He said: “The Government is talking about free swimming for all and Bradford Council is considering closing down pools. It doesn’t make sense. I am incensed and someone has to let them know how wrong it is. They are saying it’s not set in stone yet, but that’s what was said about the old Thornton pool and they closed that.”