DURING the last two weeks, the pupils of Windmill Hill Academy have been writing letters to their local town council and Cornwall Council to express their huge disappointment at the proposed closure of Launceston Leisure Centre.

On Friday, November 26, all classes, staff and volunteers, braved the weather and carried their banners down to the leisure centre to show their support of the facility.

The procession then moved on to the Town Hall, where they were met by the Town Mayor Cllr Leighton Penhale.

Head Boy, Karol and Head Girl, Marissa, and their deputies, presented the letters to the Mayor who kindly accepted their letters on behalf of the town council and the representative for Cornwall Council.

Following the presentation, Launceston town councillor and chair of governors of Windmill Hill Academy Cllr John Harris highlighted the pupils’ recent achievement of completing a 25 metre swimming certification — saying it proves how essential the local pool’s facilities are.

He said: “As chair of governors at Windmill Hill Academy, I’ve just received news from Mrs Bassett, the head of school at Windmill, that 29 out of the 30 pupils in Year 6 have just completed their 25 metres swim, brilliant.

“This achievement shows how much the leisure centre needs it to remain open and stand at the heart of our towns efforts to remain healthy.

“Where else would our children have been able to learn to swim without paying a fortune to get there? 

“Becoming a swimmer should not be an option only open for those with the money to pay or the means to travel to the nearest available pool. Swimming is an essential skill which may one day save your own life or to enable you to save the life or another.”

Cllr John Harris added: “Save our leisure centres.”