Dartington rallies to reopen beloved pool with day-long fundraising extravaganza

A grassroots campaign to revive Dartington’s much-loved but long-shuttered swimming pool is gaining momentum, with a family-friendly fundraising Extravaganza set to take over Meadowbrook Park on Sunday, June 29, from midday to 8pm.

The day promises an exciting line-up of live music, food stalls, wellness sessions, and family activities – all in support of bringing back a cherished community facility that has been at the heart of local life for generations.

Closed in 2022 after over 50 years of service, Dartington Swimming Pool once served as a cornerstone of summer life in the village. Generations of locals learned to swim, socialise, and cool off in its waters after school and during the holidays.

Now, the Dartington Recreation Association (DRA) has secured planning permission for an ambitious redevelopment: a 25-metre heated, accessible pool, powered by renewable energy and open from May to October. The total cost of the project is estimated at £500,000.

“That pool was a lynchpin of local life,” says Helen Alipaz, a longtime DRA volunteer. “And we think it’s high time it was brought back into service.”

To help make that vision a reality, the June 29 Extravaganza is being held to raise crucial funds. Attractions will include live DJ sets, bouncy castles, wood-fired sauna and cold plunge sessions, yoga classes, massage therapy, and children’s bike games. Attendees can enjoy food from popular local vendors Big Kebabski and Pizzalogica, and performances from Nursery Grime, Kid Hyena, and Japanese drummers, alongside storytelling from Isabella Bike Story.

There will also be eco group stalls, garden school displays, a dog show, raffles, tombolas, and toy and book sales, creating a festival atmosphere with something for everyone.

The DRA has already demonstrated its commitment to community improvement through the transformation of Meadowbrook Park, including the installation of wheelchair-accessible play equipment and a well-used woodland bike track. Local schools Dartington Primary and Bidwell Brook are among the regular users of DRA facilities.

“The pool was originally dug out in 1973, by local people,” explains Helen. “A team of amateur volunteers – farmers, plumbers, tradespeople and a borrowed digger. It belongs to the community, and we know we can get it back, better than ever, with just a little help.”

The revived pool will include a shallower, accessible area, solar and heat pump heating, improved changing facilities, and, in a second phase, a new café and refurbished pavilion.

While the project recently received a £89,000 grant from South Hams District Council via Section 106 planning funds, more support is urgently needed.

“That funding was a brilliant start,” says Helen. “But it’s just a contribution. We still need major donations, sponsors, and community support to bring this vision fully to life.

“The June 29th Extravaganza will be a joyous celebration of everything local, and a vital step in getting the pool back up and running by next spring. If we raise enough this summer, we can build through winter and reopen in Spring 2026. That’s the dream.”

For more information or to donate, visit the Dartington Recreation Association’s social media channels or attend the event on June 29 at Meadowbrook Park.