Cuts plunge swimmers into despair

The 107-year-old Manningham Pool is to close this year despite huge outcry from local residents and the London-based Victorian Society, which says it is a building of ‘national importance’.

Society director Ian Dungavell travelled to Bradford two years ago specifically to swim in the unique surrounds of Manningham Pool, which he says remains virtually unchanged from how it looked when it opened in 1904.

Manningham resident Bruce Barnes, pictured left, with fellow swimmers Peter Nias and Mary Lewalski, said he will be ‘devastated’ if the council proceeds with its ‘short-sighted’ closure plan. But the authority insists the money needed to bring the pool up to standards means it is not viable.