Kids go free at pools

By Ian Proctor

Children and teenagers will be able to swim for free during the summer holidays, Harrow Council has announced.
Youngsters aged up to 16 (inclusive) can take a dip without paying at Harrow Leisure Centre, Christchurch Avenue, Wealdstone, or Hatch End Swimming Pool in Uxbridge Road, Hatch End, between Monday July 21 to Sunday August 31.
The scheme is valid from seven days a week from 10am to 7pm and to benefit children must register their name and address at the reception desk each time they visit. Under 8s must be accompanied by an adult.
Councillor Chris Mote (Conservative), portfolio holder for community and cultural services, said: "Harrow Council knows this is a difficult time for families with the rising cost of living.
"The summer can be particularly problematic with parents wondering how to amuse their children without resorting to expensive theme parks and outings to the cinema.
"Now children can get active instead of spending hours watching TV or playing computer games.
"By investing money not only in swimming but the Passport to Culture and Summer University scheme, we have laid on a range of exciting opportunities on our young people's doorstep.
"Long-term we are hoping that this summer of fun encourages young people to get active and experience new things."
Harrow Council's Passport to Culture scheme is a series of action-packed events and activities while Summer University Harrow is a programme of over 100 activities and courses for 11- to 21-year-olds (up to 25 years old with special needs) during the summer vacation.