Free swimming for armed forces personnel in Ceredigion

Past and present members of the Armed Forces are to be offered free swimming at Ceredigion County Council’s swimming pools. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The Council has announced plans to make swimming free to ex-armed forces personnel and present members living in the county, and is one of several local authorities to introduce the scheme, aimed to increase participation in physical activity and improve health and well-being of ex-servicemen and women. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The initiative which started this month (January) is an extension of the Welsh Government funded free swimming scheme, which currently allows people aged 60 and over and children under 16 to swim for free. The initiative is also supported by the Welsh Local Government Association. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Armed Forces Champion for Ceredigion County Council and Councillor Paul Hinge said: “This is a great initiative and I am delighted that we are supporting these individuals who have served our country. Swimming is a fantastic sport for people of all ages and we are pleased to be offering all current and ex-armed forces free access to our pools.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Ex-armed forces personnel wanting to take advantage of the initiative must be in possession of an MOD Defence Privilege Card. The scheme will not apply to spouses, partners or family members.
The following swimming pools are taking part in the initiative; Cardigan, Lampeter, Llandysul, Tregaron, Aberaeron and Plascrug, Aberystwyth. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​