A ‘COOL’ idea is helping to extend the season of one of the region’s last remaining open air swimming pools.

Although the heating at Helmsley Open Air Swimming Pool has now been switched off, brave swimmers are being given the chance to take a dip well into October as part of the ‘cool pool’ initiative.

The pool will remain open until October 15 - without any heating - for people to experience open water swimming in the safety of the pool.

Fundraising is currently ongoing to save the 25m open air pool, which is one of only a handful in the country, and needs urgent repairs.

Carol Swift, part of the Save Helmsley Pool working group, said: “We have switched off the heating at the pool, but from this Sunday there is the unique opportunity to continue swimming in our beautiful National Park location.

“Open air swimming is one of the fastest growing pastimes in the UK with health benefits second to none.

“So as the pool temperature gradually drops week by week, you get all the exhilarating benefits of open water swimming, but in the safe environment of our lido.”

Wetsuits are welcome and are recommended for children wanting to take a cool swim.

All swimmers under the age of 12 must be accompanied in the water by an adult.

The cool swim idea is the latest in a string of schemes aimed at preserving the pool as a community asset for Helmsley residents and as an attraction for visitors.

The facility is set to mark its 50th year in 2019 but it is showing signs of its age and investment is much-needed if it is to see in the landmark anniversary.

Renovation work is expected to cost in the region of £100,000 and various fundraising events have taken place over the summer.

These included a 95-mile cycle to visit other Yorkshire lidos in at Ingleton and Ilkley to raise awareness of the Helmsley pool’s plight as well as the fundraising needs of the county’s other open air pools.

The pool’s supporters say losing the Helmsley facility would be a huge loss to the history and heritage of the area.

  • Tickets for the cool swims are available in blocks of six for £30 - £5 per swim.
  • For more information about the pool, go to helmsleyopenairpool.org