Lifesaving crew in Port Talbot get gear back after blaze at Afan Lido
LIFESAVERS in Port Talbot are making waves again after being hit by the devastating fire at the Afan Lido.
Aberavon Surf Lifesaving Club used the leisure complex as its base and stored all its kit and equipment there.
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But during December's blaze, which caused so much damage the Lido will have to be demolished and rebuilt, the equipment became contaminated by asbestos and heavy smoke.
Rebuilt
Now the club has had everything returned in full working order thanks to Neath Port Talbot Council and the Caswell Group, which specialises in asbestos removal and was employed by the authority to seal the building.
Company area manager Steve Hughes said: "It would have been awful to see the club lose everything.
"We are decontamination specialists and we have an excellent working relationship with Neath Port Talbot Council, so when we heard about the fire, it made sense for us to step in and help."
With support from group owner Carl Caswell, the 26 canoes, lifesaving dummies and swimming certificates were cleaned and decontaminated.
They were tested and certified by another local firm, REC Ltd, before being returned.
Club chairman Harry Worth said: "On behalf of all the club members I would like to thank both the council and Caswell Group for recovering the equipment. All the young people are delighted to have the canoes returned.
"They can now continue to perform their lifesaving and water safety activities on Aberavon Beach."
Delight
Neath Port Talbot Council leader Ali Thomas said: "This equipment is vital for the club to be able to carry out their important lifesaving duties at the beach and that it needed to be recovered at the earliest opportunity.
"I'm delighted I was able to facilitate a successful solution and special thanks must go to the Caswell Group who stepped in to help voluntarily.
"Because of them the club can now carry on their valuable contribution to the community."
2 Comments
by Louise, Port Talbot
Thursday, July 29 2010, 5:43PM
“So if the Lifesaving crew got their items back in full working order, how about the people who was using the Lido at the time of the fire? Will they be getting their belongings back from the lockers? Because Neath Port Talbot Council haven't helped us out!”
by Dai Bando, Neath
Thursday, July 29 2010, 2:41PM
“All we need now is the Lido back. When this corrupt council finally sorts out it's finances including the millions lost in the Iceland Bank disaster. It would be nice to have a conventional swimming pool and a good gym and possibly rooms for other sports that don't need access to the larger sports centre. Come on NPT Council pull your finger out and do something. The residents and youth of NPT have next to NOTHING as far as facilities go and while you're contemplating your navels, have your brains in neutral and your fingers up your back passage, think of us tax payers who pay your salaries, how about doing some work and this could start by sorting out the Lido mess. We haven't forgotten the so called Bowling Rink and Farm Foods promises. If the Welsh Assembly Government want to save money, abolish the Neath Port Talbot unitary Council and sack the lot of them and put the management under Swansea, that way Swansea will justify their council and NPT will get a better deal. Neath Port Talbot pay one of the highest Council Taxes in the UK and get NOTHING in return.”