From Lewisham:
Lewisham residents aged 16 and under, and 60 and over, will continue to swim for free in the borough following a decision made by the Mayor of Lewisham, Sir Steve Bullock.
The future of Lewisham’s Free Swim programme has been in doubt since the government announced its decision in June 2010 to stop funding the national Free Swim programme after 31 July 2010. The Mayor of Lewisham subsequently agreed that the Council would continue to run the programme until 31 March 2011.
The Mayor has now agreed to extend the Free Swim programme for a further period so it can run through Easter and through the summer months. However, since the scheme is funded by the Council for Lewisham residents, non-residents will no longer be eligible from 1 April 2011. Non-residents using the boroughs swimming pools will need to pay the normal rate.
As at present, any Lewisham resident who is 16 or under or 60 and over, and who wants to take up a free swim offer, will need to show a valid Lewisham library card.
The Family Free Swim scheme and the over-60s Aqua Swim will come to an end on 1 April 2011, but disabled adults on benefits will continue to be able to benefit from free swimming. Under the Lewisham Plus Scheme both disabled adults on benefits and people in receipt of a pension will also be able to have free use of leisure centre fitness studios and use of the athletics track at Ladywell Arena.
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