Despite torrential rain on Monday evening, over 60 supporters attended a public meeting to hear the progress so far on the future of Narberth's swimming pool, and the up-and-coming plans of the Friends of Narberth Pool campaign group.

A lively and constructive discussion covered topics as diverse as the 'robustness of the supply chain for wood pellet' to the 'supply of cakes for the cake stall at the sponsored swim'.

"We're very grateful to councillors Wynne Evans and Elwyn Morse and all others who came along to show their support for the project to develop Narberth Swimming Pool into a community enterprise," said local campaigner, John Sleigh.

"Thanks also go to Mrs. Davies at Narberth CP School for use of a bright and very colourful classroom.

"Our proposals for the pool will be reviewed at a meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council's cabinet on Monday and we'll let everyone know the outcome as soon as we can after the meeting.

"Assuming that we are successful in our bid to run the pool from July 1, 2014, we expect to launch a community share offer in the next few weeks.

"This will be a tax effective way for members of the community to support the pool's long term future whilst (hopefully) also earning a small dividend.

"The small print on share offers always reminds people of the risks of purchasing shares. This offer will be no different and details will be available in due course," explained John.

UPDATE FOR COUNCIL

Narberth town councillor Mrs. Sue Rees also updated her colleagues on how the Friends of Narberth Pool were progressing with their bid to take over the town's swimming pool when ther council held its monthly meeting on Tuesday.

Clr. Mrs. Rees reported that the meeting to discuss the business plan with Pembrokeshire County Council on January 28 had been very constructive and Clr. Mrs. Rees was confident of a positive response when the proposal is discussed at cabinet on February 10.

The public meeting, which was held on Monday, was very well attended despite the appalling weather.

Clr. Mrs. Rees stated that, as chair, she was able to give everyone an update on the community enterprise to take over the running of the pool.

"A lively and constructive discussion enabled all to ask questions and put forward ideas," she said.

Clr. Mrs. Rees further stated that: 'If the bid is successful, the group hope to launch a community share offer in the next few weeks. That will be when the real work starts and I know that Narberth and all the communities concerned with keeping our pool open, will get involved to raise the £200,000 needed to ensure that we can install PV panels and a Biomass heating system which will provide a sustainable future for our pool for the next 20 years."

Clr. Mrs. Rees stated that she was grateful to everyone who has helped so far, especially the members of the action group and John Sleigh, the secretary, for all his hard work.