Soggy doggy fundraiser for Shoalstone Pool

Over 60 dogs delighted in the use of Shoalstone Pool in Brixham on the weekend, all to raise vital funds for its repair.

Attended by over 100 people with food and hot drinks to go around, the event raised over £500 in the effort to save this piece of Devon heritage. 

The pool’s future was put in jeopardy after one of its walls was critically damaged in a storm in October 2023. 

Despite being used since the 19th century, the pool is now vulnerable to structural collapse, should it fall victim to another fierce storm. 

The damage prompted trustees of the pool to launch an appeal to raise half a million pounds to make the vital repairs. If £275,000 can be raised, Shoalstone can apply for match funding from the government’s Community Ownership Fund, securing the other £250,000. 

Now, the fundraiser has made it to over £55,000. Alongside donations of £60,000 each from Brixham Town Council and Torbay Council, the pool is well on its way to its goal. 

David Thomas, Trustee and Operations Manager for Shoalstone Seawater Pool CIO, said: “Events like this are really encouraging. Everyone’s got behind us and what we’re doing in the campaign.

“Shoalstone is in everybody's hearts because everybody has memories here. So many people learnt to swim there when they were kids in the 50s and 60s, so it's always been part of the Brixham community.

“A big thanks to everyone involved.”