Portway Swimming Club (Portway) has been teaching and developing children's swimming skills for almost 70 years. In common with similar clubs in Bristol, Portway is run entirely by volunteers who freely give their time to contribute to the development of the City's young people. We estimate that over the years, the club has taught and developed over 3000 members - a long and lasting legacy for many Bristol swimmers. The club is affiliated to the ASA and our coaches are ASA qualified.

Bristol City Council however have announced that, as of the 1st April 2013 they are going to stop swimming clubs from delivering beginner swimming lessons in favour of those delivered by the facility operator (which in the case of Henbury swimming pool is SLM)

Many parents in our club have made an informed decision to send their children to Portway having been dis-satisfied with both the service and costs of SLM Limited - a company which, after all, is being paid by these very same parents, via their council tax, to run the leisure centres of Bristol.In the current society much is made of community responsibility and volunteering. It is difficult to reconcile this with the Council's position, particularly for activities that develop children's safety, health and wellbeing. Furthermore, it is such a shame that after the positive feelings towards sport generated by last year's Olympics the catch phrase "inspire a generation" seems not to have had any impact on Bristol City Council whose action we fear will have quite the opposite effect.

As member of Portway SC for over ten years ourselves, Portway has been an important part of our lives - not only in regard to keeping fit but also the friendships it has created. Although we would be able to continue swimming it is a devastating thought that younger children would not have the same opportunity that we did!

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