THE John Stanley Bell Memorial Pool in Hothfield Street, Silsden, was officially opened on Sunday by Mr Bell's widow, Audrey.

Guests included the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Bradford, Coun Stanley King and Mrs Barbara Ball, and the newly elected Mayor and Mayoress of Silsden, Coun Lawrence Walton and his wife, Nan.

The event is the culmination of the work by SwimStart, who took over the pool after the governors of Hothfield Street School could no longer afford to keep it open.

Mr Bell was a former headteacher at Hothfield Street School, and Mrs Bell spoke of her husband's work raising money for the original pool in the 1970s and his disappointment when it had to close.

She said: "John was very saddened when the pool had to close because he felt that every child in Silsden should have the opportunity to learn to swim. I know he would have been delighted it has been reopened.

"I congratulate all who have given their time and money to enable the swimming pool to be available, not only to the schools, but also the community. You have done a splendid job of which you can all be very proud."

SwimStart organiser Joanne Conway said: "SwimStart was honoured that Mrs Bell could open the pool and it was a delightful first engagement for the new Silsden Town Mayor and Mayoress.

"We were also pleased that the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Bradford, who have both been very supportive of the pool project, could also be present as one of their last engagements before the new Lord Mayor is sworn in.

"Once again, our very many thanks to everyone who has helped to get the project of the ground. Bookings for the pool are going swimmingly and classes are filling up as soon as they are put on."

Coun Jakki Birtwhistle reported to town councillors last Thursday that the project had been going well since the unofficial opening of the pool at the beginning of the Easter holidays.

She said they had filled 200 places in the first two weeks and were now above that figure.

The committee will be meeting with staff at Aireview Infants School to discuss swimming lessons. Hothfield School has already agreed to the scheme.

She said: "I would like to thank everyone who has helped us with their support and financially."

Coun Chris Atkinson told members that the support the committee had received had been "absolutely brilliant".

The pool is now open on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays for weekly lessons and is hosting an intensive course of four lessons over the spring bank holiday.

For more information or to book please contact Coun Birtwistle on 01535 656918.