Minnie Driver joins campaign to save Lido
Hollywood star Minnie Driver’s mission to save Brynaman Lido has been welcomed by Carmarthenshire council chiefs.
The actress launched a campaign via Twitter last week to raise funds for the 80-year-old attraction which is in need of major repair.
The council does not have the budget for the significant amount of work needed, and is currently working with the lido committee to explore funding options.
However, the news that Minnie Driver has shown an interest in the lido, believed to be the last of its kind in Wales, has been welcomed.
Now the council hopes people will support her campaign and have even called for her to launch a Hollywood fundraiser.
Regeneration and Leisure executive board member Cllr Clive Scourfield said: “We welcome Ms Driver's interest and would also welcome any kind of contribution she could make for the restoration of the lido.
“As a council facing huge financial cuts we are not in a position currently to invest funds in projects such as this, and are seeking grant funding to that end.
“However, a contribution from a Hollywood star such as Ms Driver would go a long way towards funding the work needed and could encourage others to do the same.
“It would also be wonderful if her interest extended to launching a fundraiser in the USA.”
Producers of the film Hunky Dory, a musical, used the lido for their opening scenes and donated £2,500 for the fund.
The council is meeting with the committee at the end of September to discuss future plans.
Brynaman Lido was built during the depression of the early 1930s by out-of-work voluntary labourers, who were often paid in cigarettes and chocolate.
The actress launched a campaign via Twitter last week to raise funds for the 80-year-old attraction which is in need of major repair.
The council does not have the budget for the significant amount of work needed, and is currently working with the lido committee to explore funding options.
However, the news that Minnie Driver has shown an interest in the lido, believed to be the last of its kind in Wales, has been welcomed.
Now the council hopes people will support her campaign and have even called for her to launch a Hollywood fundraiser.
Regeneration and Leisure executive board member Cllr Clive Scourfield said: “We welcome Ms Driver's interest and would also welcome any kind of contribution she could make for the restoration of the lido.
“As a council facing huge financial cuts we are not in a position currently to invest funds in projects such as this, and are seeking grant funding to that end.
“However, a contribution from a Hollywood star such as Ms Driver would go a long way towards funding the work needed and could encourage others to do the same.
“It would also be wonderful if her interest extended to launching a fundraiser in the USA.”
Producers of the film Hunky Dory, a musical, used the lido for their opening scenes and donated £2,500 for the fund.
The council is meeting with the committee at the end of September to discuss future plans.
Brynaman Lido was built during the depression of the early 1930s by out-of-work voluntary labourers, who were often paid in cigarettes and chocolate.
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