Meadowbrook Extravaganza raises £4,000 for Dartington pool revival

Glorious sunshine, live music, and an outpouring of community spirit drew hundreds to Meadowbrook recently for the Meadowbrook Extravaganza - a family-friendly festival that raised an impressive £4,000 to help reopen the cherished Dartington Swimming Pool.

Organised by the Dartington Recreation Association (DRA), the event was a vibrant celebration of local talent and togetherness, featuring everything from wellness sessions to dog shows, all in support of reviving a key community facility that has been closed since 2022 due to disrepair.

Festival goers of all ages enjoyed a full day of fun, including energetic DJ sets from Ru Davies and Chris Hall, a hypnotic performance by Bidwell Brook’s Taiko drummers, and a riotous appearance by children’s rap duo Nursery Grime. Meanwhile, a family dog show delivered joyful chaos and plenty of wagging tails.

“It was a beautiful reminder of what our community can do when it comes together,” said Bex House, DRA volunteer. “We’re feeling buoyed and hopeful for the next stage of the journey, and would love to speak to anybody who has fundraising experience to help us move us forward.”

Other highlights included wood-fired sauna sessions courtesy of Somewhere Sauna, chair massages from Sabrina Hall, a football tournament with Totnes and Dartington FC, and plenty of activities for children, including craft tents, bouncy castles from Totnes Castles, and a woodland bike track.

Festival food was in no short supply, with vendors such as Pizza Logica, Big Kebabski, Loaded Waffle Fries, Bluebell Café, and the community BBQ serving up delicious fare throughout the day. The bar at Things Happen Here kept the crowd refreshed with drinks and live music into the evening.

“We were blown away by the turnout,” said Margaret Cushen of the DRA. “The atmosphere was absolutely electric, and we just want to say an enormous thank you to everybody who came, volunteered, donated or performed, and the support of Dartington Parish Council. You’ve helped bring us one step closer to reopening our community pool.”

The Dartington Swimming Pool, located on the Meadowbrook site, was originally dug in 1973 by a team of local volunteers - farmers, tradespeople, and a borrowed digger. Since its closure in 2022, the pool has been at the centre of a community-led revival campaign, which has already secured an £89,000 grant from South Hams District Council via Section 106 planning funds. But more support is urgently needed to make the dream a reality.

Plans for the revived pool include a shallow, more accessible swimming area, renewable heating systems using solar and heat pumps, and modernised changing facilities. A second phase will add a new café and updated pavilion, transforming the pool into a year-round hub for families, schools, and local swimmers.

The DRA has a proven track record in delivering lasting improvements in Dartington. The team was instrumental in transforming Meadowbrook Park, which now boasts wheelchair-accessible play equipment and a popular woodland bike track used regularly by Dartington Primary and Bidwell Brook schools, among others.

To keep the momentum going, the DRA is already planning more fundraising events and welcomes help from anyone with ideas or experience.

To learn more or get involved, visit meadowbrookdartington.org/about