Who are we?

Lordsfield Swimming Club was established in 1963 and was a community effort from the start. Initially it was for the children of Overton but since we gained charitable status we have expanded our sessions.

“The benefit to the children is incredible. It’s inspiring to watch them grow in confidence in and out of the water”. (volunteer)

Saturday afternoon swimming

Community impact

Generations of Overtonians have learnt to swim at the Overton pool and it holds a fond place in the hearts of the villagers. 

"The pool is a vital community asset. It ensures school age children learn to swim, as I did myself over 50 years ago. It provides healthy exercise for the whole community." (member).

How our project will be United by Birmingham 2022, Commonwealth Games

We all know how excited we were watching our GB swimmers in the Olympics - especially watching GB win gold with the inaugural 4x100m mixed medley relay in a world-record time as we had a local family connection to Kathleen Dawson who swam alongside, Adam Peaty, James Guy and Anna Hopkin.
With the Commonwealth Games coming to Birmingham in 2022 we will again be focussed on inspiring our young swimmers in Overton to extend their swimming skills and distances. Our project to invest in our local pool will really build a future legacy. Many local pools have closed in recent years and this refurbishment will set our pool in good stead to last for another generation of swimmers and who knows, we may have a champion in our midst!

Kids with their challenge certificates

Newer residents have taken the pool to their hearts too, with many joining our team to settle in to village life and become a part of our community.

“The pool side attitude embodies inclusivity. This should be something to build on and an example for others to follow. I am proud to be a small part of this wonderful village asset.” (volunteer)

We have a whole range of sessions to appeal to as wide an audience as possible.

• Low cost swimming lessons
• Children's swims
• Family swims
• Lane swimming for competent swimmers
• Aquafit 
• Teen sessions 
• Early morning swim sessions

Our pool is entirely run by volunteers, over 100 of them. They fulfil roles such as life guarding and first aiders, pool plant operators keeping the back room running as well as admin, accounts, membership and fundraising. 

“My kids learnt what it's like to be part of a community who support each other. Maybe that why we get young people joining the ranks of our volunteers when they're older. The pool is just amazing!” (parent)

Volunteers training to be poolside lifeguards

Our volunteers get so much back from giving their time: 

“Volunteering made me feel valued, useful and gave me a sense of purpose that I had thought I’d lost. I’m so very grateful for the friendship and positivity that the pool community offers.” (volunteer)

Aquafit classes 

“I loved the aquafit classes and was so grateful for the opportunity to take part, chat and swim with a lovely bunch of friendly people.” (member)

Why are we crowdfunding?

The pool is due a major refurbishment to keep Overton swimming for the next 25 years. Our ambitious Crowdfunding goal will enable us to replace the pool liner which has some small tears and leaks, as part of a broader project. Without the investment now we would face closure within the next few years.  

Waterpolo 

How we’ll spend the money raised

A new pool liner costs in the region of £35 000 to replace – we don’t have a tiled pool, instead we have a vinyl liner that lasts for around 20 years. The pool liner replacement is one part of a larger pool refurbishment project that is planned for the closed winter seasons of 2022 to 2023 and 2023 to 2024 to minimise impact on our opening. 

The project will be a major undertaking for our membership and community. We currently have £85 000 in our reserves earmarked for the full project. The money has been raised through membership fees, fundraising events and donations from individuals and from local companies (thanks Editorial Office!) as well as grants from the Parish Council, County Council and other organisations. We are continuing to apply for grants and run events to reach our greater target and we have now stretched our initial target to £55 000 to help us reach this broader goal with your help.  

What does our pool liner and surround currently look like?

Missing hand rail

Leaky Liner

Crumbling pool surround

What do our broader refurbishment plans look like?

Arial view and cross section - most of the works will be underground

The details of what we will do:

• A new plantroom building, pumps, filters, air source heat pump, controls and ancillary equipment
• Replacement of all supply and return pipework, inlets and sumps
• The most challenging part of the work will be to turn a 1960’s pool into a modern “splash deck” pool. This will require a new reinforced concrete spill channel along one side of the pool. This will collect the overflow from the pool from where it will be piped back to the plantroom.

Once work is complete it will take Overton's pool forward for the next generation of swimmers.

Confident young underwater swimmers (and our current pool liner!)

How you can play your part?

Our campaign lasts just 5 weeks 17th June to 22nd July - support us now and help us reach our goal! There are four simple ways to help us reach our target, and make this project a reality.

1. Make a pledge. Don’t delay if you’re going to support us because momentum is key to our success!

2. Spread the word. Share our project on your social media pages and tell the world to get behind us! The more people we reach, the more support we will get.

3. Offer rewards. Get involved if you are a local business by donating things we can offer to our supporters. We will give you a shout out and add you to our wall display of local businesses who have supported the refurbishment project.

4. Sign up for our sponsored swim (9th July). Use the button on our page to get started. Setting up your own page only takes a few minutes and you won’t need any bank details. 

5. Or create a fundraiser of your own... and let us know what you are doing so we can help get more support for your cause!

To contact us press the "Contact the project" button at the top right of the page or email us on [email protected] or message us on Facebook 

Thank you to Janice Stott our official (and volunteer) photographer, for the amazing photographs and Izzie Kater, one of our young volunteers, for the video.