‘Save our swimming baths’ campaign shows power of community action

Jeremy Hoad and Councillor Julie Reid comment on our success in saving our Baths.

John McDougall, Mancunian Matters, 4th April 2013

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Jeremy Hoad, Levenshulme Community Association Secretary and Save Levenshulme Baths and Library group member, feels the immense achievement should act as inspiration to others.

“It’s a fantastic achievement to be able to do this in times of local government being savaged more they have ever been with funding,” he told MM. “If this can be highlighted, it gives inspiration and hope to other people across the country that campaigns can work and we can actually protect our services. What has been so fantastic is the imagination, creativity and dedication of all sorts of people throughout Levenshulme and Gorton. It’s still sinking in. It’s one of those things you can’t quite believe you’ve actually won.”

Julie Reid, a Labour member for Gorton South, was actively involved in the campaign to keep the facilities in Levenshulme open.

“It took a long time and it’s been very difficult. If it wasn’t for the Tory-Lib Dem cuts we wouldn’t have even been in this position at all,” she told MM. It’s just been amazing. The Levenhulme community are awesome. I just can’t explain how wonderful they are. They’ve sustained the work all the way through for no money or anything. They’ve got loads of energy and kept it going.”