Readers may recall the story about the devastating impact that Dorset council’s threat to pull funding for Wimborne’s Queen Elizabeth Leisure Centre would have on Wimborne Wagtails Swimming club for disabled people.
Wagtails’ Julian Vernon, whose son is a club member, urged folk to object via a consultation. However, despite their best efforts, the council’s Place & Resources Scrutiny Committee were asked to approve a recommendation that the subsidising public use of the centre should end in two years’ time.The consultation pointedly asked whether the council’s contribution was value for money since there were other leisure facilities within a 20-minute drive.
According to David Allen at Wagtails this question doesn’t fully consider the challenges his club members face.
“We have such a range of disabilities and need very specific facilities,” he said. “Having been in a wheelchair for months myself, I’m very aware of the challenges our members face.
“We’re worried. Our group is the most vulnerable in our society and it’s not just the physical wellbeing, the socialising’s so important, too and for many of them, driving or travelling any distance, is not an option.”
David says the group is “plugging away” and hoping that the centre will be taken over – with a special place reserved for the wonderful Wimborne Wagtails. www.wimbornewagtails.org.uk

By Lorraine Gibson