Through this generosity, the charity was pleased to raise £4,300 towards vital maintenance work that keeps the pool safe and free for visitors and locals to enjoy all year round.
The iconic Bude Sea Pool, adored by locals and holidaymakers alike, is a semi-natural amenity that has provided a haven for free, safe bathing and other water-based activities since the 1930s.
It is run and managed by the Friends of Bude Sea Pool (FoBSP), a local charity that aims to preserve, improve and enhance the unique attraction for the benefit of the community and the thousands of people who visit the town every year. The FoBSP is made up solely of volunteers and receives no public funding, thus relies entirely upon donations.
Fay Hargreaves, charity co-ordinator, said: “From all of us at the Friends of Bude Sea Pool, we would like to say a huge thank you to all of those that donated towards our fundraiser earlier this month. Together all of these amazing businesses helped us to raise a wonderful £4,300. Despite the atrocious weather, 40+ hardy folk came to support this fundraising effort. They were all determined to go away with some wonderful donated items, and with all the fun and laughter had, the energy in the room was buzzing!”
Regional on-trade manager at Sharp’s Brewery, Dan Frost, said: “We are continually inspired by the dedication that the Friends of Bude Sea Pool (FoBSP) display. The pool has almost become synonymous with Bude and serves as a unique focal point for the community there. Access to the pool is unrestricted and free of charge, although it costs over £40,000 every year to keep it open and safe!”
Sharp’s Brewery and its team members have a strong connection to the Bude area with the brewery based in Rock.
Almost 50,000 people visit Bude Sea Pool every year, making it the number one visitor attraction in Bude. Last year, the pool was heralded as one of the ten sexiest places to take a dip in the world by energy drink brand Red Bull, next to other pools in Spain, France and Australia and just a few weeks ago, it was lauded as the top winter swim destination in the Guardian.