So I woke up this morning and realised that Sunday had completely passed me by, and with it the fab Silent Sunday linky. Amazing how a trip to the big smoke with a feverish baby can throw things! However the photograph I wanted to share yesterday actually has an important story behind it, so perhaps my absent mindedness was meant to be.
I took this photo during Arthur’s exploration of our neighbourhood earlier in the week. It shows him standing in front of the wonderful mural that adorns the wall beside Shoalstone Pool, a mural that gives him so much pleasure with its depiction of a captivating and colourful underwater world.
This is only one feature of what is an incredibly special local landmark, a seawater lido built into the rocks of Shoalstone Beach. The pool is a fantastic place to swim and enjoy the sunshine, and has been a favourite spot for locals and tourists alike for many years. And now it is under threat.
Local councils are squabbling over funding, and private arrangements have fallen through. It has been touch and go over the past couple of years whether the pool would open for the summer, and this year there is uncertainty again. One councillor even suggested that perhaps the best solution was to fill the pool in with concrete, an unbelievable insult to the local community and the history of the pool itself.
You can find out more about Shoalstone Pool, its history and the ongoing struggle to save it here. I hope I will be able to post many more photographs of the pool in action this summer, as it is most definitely one of the best places to while away a sunny afternoon – or in fact a stormy morning – I have ever found.
Thanks to Charly Dove at PODcast for the ‘what’s the story?’ linky that saved this week’s photo!
*Update!* I’m very pleased to be able to say that since this photo was taken Shoalstone Pool has been saved! For this year at least… Brixham town council has agreed to take over the lease. Looking forward to many sunny summer days by the lido!
Sophie is... 
That’s a fantastic mural and such vibrant colours too, I love it. A great photo too, so glad you were able to share it. Saddening to read about the pool, I do hope it can be saved. It sounds like a special place. Thank you so much for sharing with #whatsthestory
Thank you for the fab linky! It is a lovely mural, and the pool is so special. I really hope the powers-that-be realise that with their decision making…
Wow, I love that mural, it looks so fun! I really hope they don;t fill the pool with concrete, it would be such a shame! #whatsthestory xx
Yep the concrete is a crazy idea – I really hope it doesn’t have any mileage in it!
Oh, I do hope that a way is found to save it. Places like this have so much history and so many wonderful memories tied up in them. I will look forward to photos in the summer 🙂 #WhatstheStory
It does feel like you’re a part of history hanging out there – I think it would be a fabulous place for Arthur to learn to swim!
Lovely photo against a stunning backdrop and I hope you save your pool
Thank you! There is a lot of local support so fingers crossed…
It’s been saved ….
Fantastic news. Bring on the summer!
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