HARRY’S Hydro is welcoming its first users this week, after some 12 years of hard work by trustees and friends and the local community.
Induction sessions were held last weekend and the hydrotherapy pool is now in action.
The facility will be used daily by the children of Critchill School, many of whom have special needs. For the remainder of the day, and in the evening and weekends, the facility will be open to anyone in the community who is in need of hydrotherapy treatment.
Trustee Peter Bennett said, “It is all very exciting. 36 groups were signed in to do the induction, most are local, a few from Bath and the surrounding towns, and a lot from Frome. As soon as people have done their induction they get their keys!
“It is being let out in hour- long slots. Every day during the week Critchill School has three hours, and we’ve probably filled 40% or 50% of the slots so far.
“The focus is now on making sure it all runs smoothly, making sure the users are benefiting properly. Our next target is to find funding for a manager.”
Harry’s Hydro is named in memory of Harry Fox who was born in December 1998, but caught an infection in the maternity ward which left him profoundly brain damaged. Harry’s parents discovered that he loved being in a warm pool and was most responsive at this time. After Harry died at thirteen months old, Digby and Paula Fox launched the appeal to bring Harry’s Hydro to Frome.
The appeal continues to thank the host of businesses and organisations – “and to all those individuals who have run marathons, endured triathlons, climbed mountains, pushed wheelchairs, jumped out of planes, and sailed the high seas; the bakers of cakes, knitters of toys, friendly faces on stalls and brewers of tea,” who have helped the appeal reach its goal.
Harry’s Hydro has been built by specialist pool builders Westcountry Leisure, with the timber building in ‘log cabin’ style being supplied by Norwegian Log Buildings. The pool is fitted with the latest heating and filtration equipment and there is an integral humidity and temperature control system for the building. The design principal throughout has been to make it a warm and friendly place to use, as well as providing the best technical standards.
The pool water is kept at 34C and the air temperate 28C which ensures users do not get cold when in the water.
Anyone interested in using the hydrotherapy pool should contact Helen Woodhead on 01373 474127.
The project is still in desperate need of funds and you can find out more about how to make a donation at www.harrys-hydro.org.
