December is underway and while it is a slower season at Bude Sea Pool in comparison to the summer months, we still have a hearty contingent of swimmers care of BOWS and various other individuals and groups.

Cold water swimming is ever popular and we’re delighted that Bude Sea Pool is seeing such use throughout the year. Friends of Bude Sea Pool has got something for everyone, so even if you’re not jumping in, we have some fantastic ways to support the Pool while keeping drying in these cold months.

Bude Sea Pool’s 12 Days of Christmas

Join in the daily online auction, only on Facebook. FoBSP has received some amazing donations, including a round of golf for 4 people at Bude and North Cornwall Golf Club and a Bespoke Art Experience Day with Sue Read.Since December 1st, prizes have already included:- A Gin and Food Hamper from Norton Barton Artisan Village - A 30 minute Canine Hydrotherapy session at The Haven Canine Hydrotherapy Clinic - A one-night stay at the Falcon Hotel A new item is introduced each day at 8am. Closing bids by 10pm the same day. All bids must be placed on Facebook via www.facebook.com/budeseapool 

Photo Shoot

Come join us. Local portrait photographer and committed volunteer, Emily Barlow, will be taking wintery shots - think wellies and woollies, real life in winter at the Pool. We’re hoping for sunshine, but even if it is murky, we’ll be looking to set the winter scene in whatever the weather hands us.When? 11am onwards, Saturday 17th December at Bude Sea Pool.Who? You can be wrapped up in jackets or in your cozzies, wetsuits or other swim gear. You can be on your todd or in a larger group, perhaps of family, friends or swimmers. You can bring your dog (on a lead please). We would love to see kids and young people as well as adults. Why? Photos will be used widely on the website, social media and other marketing. You will therefore be required to fill in a model release form to participate. How? Turn up on the day and register your name with the Volunteer in charge on the day. Once you have returned a signed model release form, they will put your name on a list and people will be photographed on a first come, first served basis. If it is hugely popular, Emily may need to set a limit on numbers.

New Website Design

Many of you have realised that our website went off line in early November and we thank you for your patience while we have got that sorted. Tom Westlake of West Creative, based in Kilkhampton, has completely overhauled and created FoBSP a brand new website. The new website will launch today (Wednesday, December 7), at 11am. You will see it is a beautiful site that hosts basic information about the charity as well as our e-shop - just in time for any last minute Christmas gifts. Items can be collected from the Shop in Summerleaze Car Park or sent via Royal Mail. The Shop in Summerleaze Car Park is also open 10am to 4 pm Mondays to Saturdays if you’d rather shop in person.

Open Hub

BOWS, for those of you who don’t know, are Bude Open Water Swimmers who are a local group who form the majority of the year-round swimming community at Bude Sea Pool. They are a very welcoming bunch so if you’d like to find some fun folk to swim with or to learn more about swimming safely locally, find them on Facebook. A new collaboration between FoBSP and BOWS is being trialled in December where the Community Room at the Hub is open 10-12 for BOWS members to warm up post-swim. Rules apply. Please contact directly via their Facebook page for more information about joining.

For more information visit www.budeseapool.org