Prince William Celebrates Birtley Pool Reopening

Prince William visited Birtley Community Pool to celebrate its reopening after a successful community fundraising campaign that raised £400,000 to save the facility, which had been closed by Gateshead Council due to budget cuts. During the event, he highlighted the importance of swimming as a life skill, noting that nearly one in three children in the UK leave primary education unable to swim. The Royal Foundation of the Prince and Princess of Wales has partnered with the pool to provide swimming lessons and lifeguard training, aiming to enhance community engagement and safety. Olympic and Paralympic swimmers were present, emphasizing the significance of accessible swimming facilities for local youth. The prince expressed his desire to replicate such community efforts across the country, reinforcing the critical role of swimming in health and social integration. This reopening represents a vital step in addressing the community's needs for public swimming access and safety education.