Take the plunge to save Coate diving board (From Swindon Advertiser)
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Take the plunge to save Coate diving board
1:00pm Thursday 17th November 2011 in News
Sophie Hart
MUM Sophie Hart is so determined to see a local landmark restored for future generations she has taken to a social networking site for support.
The 33-year-old mum of one, of north Swindon, has set up a Facebook group in a bid to get the derelict diving board at Coate Water restored, possibly as a viewing point.
She is hoping to gain enough support to set up a non-profit organisation and apply for a Heritage Lottery Fund, which could be between £5,000 and £50,000.
“The diving board is one of the most iconic landmarks in Swindon and despite being left in solitude for years, it is still there,” she said.
“We have the chance to restore it, potentially as a viewing platform and definitely as a part of our heritage which brings to life a wonderful bygone era. I believe the key to looking after our past is to incorporate it in our future.”
Sophie has already gained a lot of support through the Facebook page and is feeling confident that she can prove to the Heritage Lottery that the project is restoring heritage as well as playing a part in the community.
She said: “They are actually almost asking for people in this area to come forward with ideas because there is not much work being done in Swindon like this.
“Everybody has got a story about Coate Water, it seems to be a place where people go when they’ve had something sad happen or something really good, so my friend and I used to list things that we thought could be done to improve the park.”
After discussions with park rangers, improvements to footpaths and the diving board came top of the list so Sophie decided she wanted to get the ball rolling.
“I appreciate it is going to be hard work but hopefully I can do it with the support.
“There are still beautiful photos of it as it is now, and obviously it is going to be different to how it was – it was once used for national diving competitions and unfortunately the water in the lake is still pretty toxic but it would be lovely to use it as a viewing point.”
Sophie said initial estimates put the work at costing in the region of £10,000.
She is appealing to members of the public who remember the diving board in its former glory to come forward and share their stories for the research process.
To show your support for Sophie’s idea, “Like” the Facebook Page ‘The Diving Board at Coate Water’ or contact her at hartsophie@hotmail.com or 01793 737024.
Comments(35)
Malkym
says...
1:36pm Thu 17 Nov 11
Malkym
says...
1:37pm Thu 17 Nov 11
ZiggyShort
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1:41pm Thu 17 Nov 11
What ever you say about the diving board, Coate and it's environs are a wonderful area of greenspace, and I am saddened that you should chose to undermine the work of the rangers and volunteers by calling it a dump. Would you rather it was all taken up by housing instead?
A.Baron-Cohen
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2:13pm Thu 17 Nov 11
It would be more sensible to make the water safe first......
Malkym
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2:59pm Thu 17 Nov 11
ZiggyShort wrote:Certainly wouldn't bother me, my opinion is that it is a dump and always has been - remember the grotty little cafe, the run down swimming pool and the "paddling pool" About the best thing Coate has going for it is the minature railway!
Malkym, What ever you say about the diving board, Coate and it's environs are a wonderful area of greenspace, and I am saddened that you should chose to undermine the work of the rangers and volunteers by calling it a dump. Would you rather it was all taken up by housing instead?
If SBC really want to make it attractive why don't they invest properly - I'd have no problem with contributing to that if proper amenities were installed to enhance the area.
Still About
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3:15pm Thu 17 Nov 11
Then stop being childish and support the campaign
Mr Martin
flatbattery
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3:16pm Thu 17 Nov 11
whitein
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3:38pm Thu 17 Nov 11
sputnik
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3:43pm Thu 17 Nov 11
snowphi
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4:24pm Thu 17 Nov 11
Malkym
says...
4:59pm Thu 17 Nov 11
Still About wrote:Who is Mr Martin - you do have a Bobby Bee in your bonnet that I am someone else - there's a lt of it goes on on here.
"If SBC really want to make it attractive why don't they invest properly - I'd have no problem with contributing to that if proper amenities were installed to enhance the area." Then stop being childish and support the campaign Mr Martin
And why the hell should I support a campaign to " not build around Coate" not on it! I do not consider that to be childish just realistic.
Malkym
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5:01pm Thu 17 Nov 11
flatbattery wrote:Exactly Flat battery - Still About please note! At least there's two of us talking sense.
why doesn't the council give a total face lift to c.w. Maybe they would attract more people So much could be done. It has been a total eyesore for years.
Bobby Bee
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5:38pm Thu 17 Nov 11
scottwichall
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6:07pm Thu 17 Nov 11
It could do with some work, but its not a dump and I think it would struggle to deal with any more visitors on a hot summer day without a lot of work on parking and facilities.
Always Grumpy
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6:19pm Thu 17 Nov 11
Malkym wrote:Make that three!
flatbattery wrote:Exactly Flat battery - Still About please note! At least there's two of us talking sense.
why doesn't the council give a total face lift to c.w. Maybe they would attract more people So much could be done. It has been a total eyesore for years.
liden623
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6:58pm Thu 17 Nov 11
It is impossible to imagine the lake without the diving board. There are photos of the lake featuring the board regularly in the Adver.
The board is part of the heritage of the lake and the Town and no long -time Swindonians would wish to see its demise.
It would be great to see Lottery money used to restore it.
It would be lovely to see the whole Park given a face lift, but until this time those who do not use it should not knock it.
Bobby Bee
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7:21pm Thu 17 Nov 11
Highworth has nothing like it.
I agree, do not knock it when others appreciate its value.
Bobby Bee
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7:21pm Thu 17 Nov 11
Highworth has nothing like it.
I agree, do not knock it when others appreciate its value.
Malkym
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8:15pm Thu 17 Nov 11
whitein wrote:They've got a lot to answer for eh!
I support it, its part of Coate Water, I believe my relatives were involved with its design.
Malkym
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8:17pm Thu 17 Nov 11
Always Grumpy wrote:Duly noted Grumps!
Malkym wrote:Make that three!flatbattery wrote: why doesn't the council give a total face lift to c.w. Maybe they would attract more people So much could be done. It has been a total eyesore for years.Exactly Flat battery - Still About please note! At least there's two of us talking sense.
MrAngry
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8:31pm Thu 17 Nov 11
liden623
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8:32pm Thu 17 Nov 11
"I support it, its part of Coate Water, I believe my relatives were involved with its design."
I have the original archtitect's drawings for the diving board at home
Malkym
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8:35pm Thu 17 Nov 11
Case for the prosecution rests m'lud! -ooh sorry thought I was back at Steam for the enquiry for a moment there!
Malkym
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8:38pm Thu 17 Nov 11
MrAngry wrote:Listed ROFL!!! Do EH list rusting metal &concrete eyesores then?
Sophie Hart might want to consider contacting English Heritage to get it listed. This would give more weight to any application for Lottery funding, but would also restrict what could be done with it in the future.
MrAngry
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8:50pm Thu 17 Nov 11
Malkym wrote:Yes they do.
MrAngry wrote:Listed ROFL!!! Do EH list rusting metal &concrete eyesores then?
Sophie Hart might want to consider contacting English Heritage to get it listed. This would give more weight to any application for Lottery funding, but would also restrict what could be done with it in the future.
OldTownOldie
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10:22pm Thu 17 Nov 11
Still About
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10:25pm Thu 17 Nov 11
Not all Highworth citizens are deliberately trying to upset the people of Swindon.
Many of us share the view of Scottwichall.
We don't share Malkyms' view that 52,000 people could fit in the conference room at Steam
Phantom Poster
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10:51pm Thu 17 Nov 11
Compare this with Lydiard Park where they have a visitors centre where people can sit inside. They also have a big children's play area outside.
Phantom Poster
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10:54pm Thu 17 Nov 11
Malkym
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11:52pm Thu 17 Nov 11
Still About wrote:You really don't get it do you! if you read my post properly you will see that I do not disagree with the concept of Coate being a better place to visit - quote"but ScottWich,Liden, and ironically Bobby Bee lol! agree with me when we all say that if it had a serious makeover it would encourage much more people to visit if there were more amenities." Got it now?
Please note. Not all Highworth citizens are deliberately trying to upset the people of Swindon. Many of us share the view of Scottwichall. We don't share Malkyms' view that 52,000 people could fit in the conference room at Steam
Please don't be clever and try and twist my words - I said that if 52k different persons including ANT & DEC yay!! those two well known Swindon residents supposedly signed the petition how come only 20 were in attendance and it's certainly not because 52k can't fit into Steam -were you there? Its because 51,980 don't actually give a monkeys!Let's analyse a bit more -could it be A) some signatutes were M Mouse or D Duck? B) some scribbled an illegible scrawl to get rid of the petitioner. C) are you seriously telling me some sad person counted each one?
You said - "Please note. Not all Highworth citizens are deliberately trying to upset the people of Swindon."
What on earth are you on about I'm not deliberately setting out to upset anyone yes I think Coate is a dump - but like I said with the right investment could be so much better. My point of view, MY OPINION!!! from day 1 has always been that like it or not the developers will win. I've no problem with people disagreeing with that view and if that stance "upsets" a few delicate souls on these forums then I'm afraid that's just too bad. In the unlikely event that the appeal is again overturned and I don't just mean deferred again on a technicality, I mean thrown out for good then I'll put my hand up and say I got it wrong. But I don't anticipate having to do that as you can imagine!
Punctured bicycle on a hillside
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11:53pm Thu 17 Nov 11
It sadly gets it's fair share of vandalism but a great many Swindonians have very fond childhood memories of Coate. I can even remember a time when you had to pay to get in, 2p I think it was.
Trend
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4:18pm Fri 18 Nov 11
Coate is a great place to walk, run or cycle around. Has plenty of green spaces to sit in and soak up the sun (when we get some) and also has a very popular play area (though not as good since they took down the wooden structure).
The diving board is part of Coate and yes whilst you will never be able to dive into the water from it again it would be good to see it put to some other use :-)
Still About
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4:50pm Fri 18 Nov 11
I was unable to attend the meeting because I work for a living.
I did help to collect signatures.
Far from being in a hurry to get away, most people stopped to chat and offer support.
Many asked if there was anything else they could do to help.
The view out of Coate is one of its' assets. So the first stage of enhancing Coate Water is to protect it.
In answer to your earlier question, I will not be ranting at Scottwichall because I agree with what he has written in more than one of his comments regarding Coate.
I will also not be responding to every silly comment you make because it is pretty obvious what you are trying to do.
I won't be joining in your game. That is not the Wessex Way
snowphi
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12:36pm Mon 21 Nov 11
Gooey says...
1:10pm Thu 17 Nov 11
Don't see the point in removing it really. Would be nice to be able to hire boats again there.