Harry’s Hydro, based in Frome, was visited by Jindi Pank from M&S Energy earlier this month, following the recent installation of the new solar panels at the centre.
Last year, the local hydrotherapy facility was awarded £10,500 from the M&S Energy Community Fund, which offers grants to support renewable energy projects and technologies across the UK.
Harry’s Hydro won one of five judges’ prizes, awarded to those projects the judges thought to be the most innovative and with the greatest positive impact on the local community.
Installation of the solar panels took place in December last year, so Harry’s Hydro can now generate its own thermal energy, significantly reducing operating costs. The money saved will enable the charity to further extend its services to benefit more local residents.
Operations manager for M&S Energy, Jindi Pank was welcomed by Malcolm Westgate, the chair of trustees for Harry’s Hydro; Phil Whitmarsh, who was involved in fundraising for the solar panels; and Paula Fox, founder of Harry’s Hydro. Jindi was then given a tour of the facilities at Harry’s Hydro and was very impressed with the building and facilities, and also very impressed by the huge range of users of the hydrotherapy pool.
Jindi Pank said the judges had identified Harry’s Hydro as one of the most impressive and worthy projects from the time of making a shortlist of 132, from the initial 246 entries and 600 expressions of interest.
They felt it represented everything M&S was hoping to support in local communities. Jindi Pank said that it was an easy decision to award Harry’s Hydro one of the prestigious National Judge’s Awards as it best reflected the M&S energy brand values of integrity, innovation, inspiration and being in touch with their community.
The pool is in use seven days a week, with bookings up to 9pm on some evenings.
Any community group who thinks they would benefit from use of hydrotherapy is very welcome to contact Harry’s Hydro to find out more information.
Any individual who would like to use the pool would be welcome. The trustees run a special hydrotherapy session on Friday afternoons between 2.00pm and 6.00pm when a qualified poolside attendant is present. Please contact Helen Woodhead for more information call 01373 474127.
