Charitable Status

Originally opened as a ‘sanitary agent’ in 1870 so that townspeople could wash themselves, our pool has served Cirencester as a place of enjoyment and refuge for the past 155 years.

In the 1970s, when the leisure centre was built, the pool was no longer deemed necessary by the council, who ran it.  In danger of being filled in, a local band of intrepid swimmers campaigned to save our open air pool and, in the face of overwhelming support, the council handed the pool over to a voluntary group so it could be managed by them.

Despite the peppercorn rent given by the council, it was extremely difficult to generate operating funds… the pool was run by resourceful volunteers who scraped together whatever they could to keep the pool open, even if it meant reheating yesterday’s donated buns or making their own rubbish bins from tins wrapped in wallpaper!

Thankfully, in 1983, the pool was granted charitable status and a board of trustees was put in place to manage its running costs, all supported by tireless volunteers giving their time freely for the benefit of Cirencester’s wider community.  And this has continued ever since… the pool is kept open by a dedicated team who man the gate and the tuck shop, clean the site, look after the planters and take care of a host of other jobs – all so that local residents can come and enjoy a swim in the open air at our stunning location.

Over the past 42 years, a number of major projects have been undertaken – all funded by donations, gifts, sponsorships and grants. 

As our ticket sales generate running costs and these are at the mercy of the weather, we can’t guarantee how much we’ll raise and that’s why fundraising is so crucial to the pool’s survival.  Our trustees are always looking for partners who can give us much needed financial assistance and we always have room for anyone who can share their time and energy in support of this amazing amenity.

So if it’s in your gift to help this wonderful charity, we would love to hear from you…  

In the meantime, our endless gratitude goes to all our previous partners and the countless volunteers whose exceptional efforts have finally been recognised with The King’s Award for Voluntary Service.  Thank you, one and all, and here’s to the next hundred years!