THAT'S COOL! BRIGG YOUNGSTERS TAKE ADVANTAGE OF FREE SESSIONS

Many youngsters from Brigg and district took advantage of free swimming sessions made available at Ancholme Leisure Centre, Scawby Brook, during the summer holidays when temperature soared in the memorable 2018 heatwave weather.

FROM KIRSTY WESTFIELD, NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE COUNCIL

North Lincolnshire Council has funded nearly 18,500 free swimming sessions for children throughout the school summer holidays this year; over 2,200 more than last year.
The free swimming sessions supported positive activities for children and young people across the area, and encourage them to keep active during the summer break.
Alison Sacker, from Hibaldstow, and her three children enjoyed the free swimming sessions.
She said: “I believe learning to swim is a life skill and the free swimming programme allows children to develop their confidence and skills they may have already gained through lessons or school for free throughout the summer holidays. Plus it keeps them healthy and is a great social activity for the older ones too.”
Children aged 16 and under took advantage of the free swimming during the ‘summer daze’ swimming sessions at all council-run leisure centres and Epworth Pool up until 3 September.
The council has been running the free swimming sessions since 2011 during the school summer holidays at:

• Ancholme Leisure Centre
• The Pods (Scunthorpe)
• Baysgarth Leisure Centre (Barton)
• Riddings Pool (Scunthorpe)
• Epworth Pool

North Lincolnshire Council Positive Activities are a range of activities for young people to enjoy and take part in across sport, leisure, culture, arts, youth and heritage. These are planned for young people to learn new things and gain new skills, get active and stay well, build friendships and socialise with people with similar interests and most importantly - have fun!
To find out what other ‘Positive Activities’ are on offer in North Lincolnshire, go to www.positiveactivities.co.uk
Last year (2017), children took advantage of 16,189 free swims.
For more details about swimming lessons or to take a look at the swimming timetables of our leisure centres, go to www.northlincs.gov.uk/swimming
Cllr David Rose, cabinet member for Children, Families, Learning and Leisure, said: “It’s fantastic that so many children have taken advantage of the free swimming sessions during the school summer holidays this year. Swimming is a great form of exercise but is also a sociable thing for children and young people to do with their friends.
“Swimming is an important skill that all children should have; it not only helps their development but makes sure they are safe in the water.
“Even though the free swimming has come to an end for this year, there are still plenty of opportunities for children to swim at our leisure centres.”

PICTURED: Brigg's Coun Carl Sherwood and Rob Waltham (right) celebrating the launch of the free swimming sessions.