This month it has been great to see so many people returning to the pool from near and far in their household bubbles.

The new pool staff enjoyed meeting you, as did staff and volunteers at the office and shop. It’s such a great feeling to have life opening up safely once more. Now any queries you may have about the pool can finally be done in person and seeing everyone again is a wonderful thing indeed. A big thank you to Cornwall Council for suspending car parking fees at Summerleaze and all other council car parks until May 17 to support local business and charities and help them get back on their feet.

FoBSP is delighted to announce that the Channel Challenge that is planned to be held later this year on October 2 has already got a full complement of teams signed up. This is record speed for registration and FoBSP would like to thank all the participants for their enthusiasm and support. The annual Channel Challenge is now a key event in the Bude Sea Pool calendar and has become one of the biggest fundraisers — contributing vital funds to help keep the pool open and safe. With the cancellation of the 2020 event due to the pandemic, it is hoped that it will be able to safely run in October 2021. 

May is traditionally the month that the pool gets a facelift, both for sheer good looks but also to keep it a safe environment for users, and to maintain its structural integrity for years to come. This year is no different. Local contractors Vanstones will be leading on annual maintenance and refurbishments. At low tide, they will drive a crane across Summerleaze to temporarily remove the sluice gate. They will then dredge and clean the pool when the tides are out.

In addition, some new works are planned for this year. A new ramp will be built from the pool up to the first terrace, easing accessibility for the general public. It will also make it significantly easier for our regular volunteers who do rock clearing to use the wheelbarrow when they are ‘humping and dumping’. There will also be railings installed, on the sea-side wall of the pool and also against the cliff-face where there is loose rock to discourage and protect those in that area.

It is not just the contractors who will be busy. Already a schedule of works is being drawn up for volunteers. During this time, they will be jet-washing the walls of the pool and the railings to remove algae and make it less slippery for the year ahead. They will also be reviving all the beach huts with a new lick of paint, returning them to full glory and protecting them against the sea spray and salty air.

FoBSP would like thank everyone in advance of their efforts to finish off the spring cleaning at the pool so knowing everything is ship-shape, we can all leap into summer.