LEISURE: Priced out of facilities

What has happened to loyalty? It would seem that customer or client loyalty counts for nothing these days.

A ladies’ swimming group, which has been using Alnwick swimming baths for over 40 years, coming regularly every Monday, except for a couple of weeks round Christmas and the bank holidays when the centre is closed, will sadly not be able to continue for much longer.

The centre, run by Active Northumberland on behalf of the county council, has deemed it necessary to put up the price yet again, now beyond the financial means of many of the group.

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What a shame when in this day and age the Government is trying to encourage the general public to take up an activity.

Indeed, it has made such a song and dance about getting the elderly (excuse me ladies, most of the group being well beyond middle age, myself included) to be more active.

What is more, the group meeting once a week has given the ladies a chance to get out of the house and meet up with friends whilst enjoying a gentle swim, away from the ‘general swim’ area.

With a group having been around for so long, can’t the centre see that by putting up its prices yet again, it is, in effect, removing one of its more steady incomes?

It will be a sad day when the group finally has to call it a day, sometime in June, when our pot runs out.

Carole Rae,

East Lilburn,

Alnwick