Best stroke! We’re tops at swimming

OLDHAM Council has been hailed in a national report as one of the eight best local authorities for swimming.

The council was recognised for its services at a special ceremony in Westminster, as 85 per cent of Year 6 pupils who take part in lessons achieved the minimum of 25 metres.

The borough was named in the School Swimming Manifesto launched by the ASA, the governing body for the sport in England.

The report is in response to research which showed that one in three children are leaving primary school unable to swim but it comes at a controversial time, when the council plans to shut Crompton, Royton and Glodwick swimming pools.

Councillor Hugh McDonald, cabinet member for children, young people, families, leisure and culture said: “It’s great that so many young people in Oldham take advantage of the excellent swimming service that the council provides.

“Swimming provides so many health and social benefits to people — not to mention how it helps people to be safe around water — as well as being great fun!

“The service is key in helping young people from Oldham to take advantage of these benefits, and success in the pool.”

Both Royton Sports Centre and Crompton Pool will shut once a replacement is built in Royton town centre — expected to be in 2014.

Around the same time, Oldham Sports Centre, along with Glodwick Leisure Pool will close once a new Oldham Sports Centre is created.

The manifesto, entitled “Save School Swimming, Save Lives”, is in response to recent research carried out by Kellogg’s and the ASA revealing that one in three children are leaving primary school unable to swim.