Leisure Centres in the headlines


Meadowside Leisure Centre - Bernard Peters

SLIDESHOW: £5m project a ‘celebration of light, space and detail’

BURTON'S multi-million pound Meadowside Leisure Centre project has been revealed to the Mail in an exclusive behind the scenes tour. Just days ahead of the official launch on Wednesday, August 18, the

Govt pulls the plug on new leisure centre pool

Mark Alflat - South Derbyshire District Council director of community services

SWIMMERS have hit out after learning that proposed plans for a new pool and revamped changing rooms have been cancelled after the Government decided to withdraw money for the project. Greenbank

Workers putting finishing touches to Meadowside

Burton’s Meadowside leisure centre revamp starts

THE £5MILLION refurbishment of Burton's Meadowside Leisure Centre is edging closer to completion. Workers are now starting to put the finishing touches to the complex in time for its grand

Children deterring the use of community facility

Etwall Leisure Centre

KEEP fit enthusiasts have spoken out after being unable to use ‘community facilities’. Several members of the pubic have raised concerns about Etwall Leisure Centre, in Hilton Road. The

Even the leisure centre figures look healthier

Etwall Leisure Centre

THOUSANDS more sports fanatics are snapping up facilities on offer at a South Derbyshire leisure centre. New figures have revealed community usage at Etwall Leisure Centre, in Hilton Road, rocketed

New-look Meadowside to open next month

Burton’s Meadowside leisure centre revamp starts

A DATE has been set for the official opening of Burton's new-look Meadowside Leisure Centre. Members of the public will be able to get their first look at the refurbished facility on August 18.

Cost cutting axe falls on free swimming sessions

SDDC's Tory representative for Etwall, John Lemmon

A GOVERNMENT scheme that allowed children and pensioners to swim for free has been scrapped due to budget cuts. The £140 million project was launched in April 2009 and provided funding for

Leisure centre is near to being back on budget

Etwall Leisure Centre

BOSSES at a South Derbyshire leisure centre are celebrating the prospect of being “back on budget” following fears of a £100,000 overspend. Thanks to cost-cutting measures and

£900k pool project is set to splash out

Swadlincote’s Green Bank Leisure Centre

SWIMMERS are celebrating after learning that proposed plans for a new pool and revamped changing rooms are almost certain to be given the go-ahead. Managers of Greenbank Leisure Centre, in Civic Way,



News Headlines


Cheers as ex-head jailed for 21 years

Derek Slade

A FORMER boarding school headmaster who abused boys in his care is today beginning a 21- year prison sentence. Derek Slade, 61, was convicted by a jury at Ipswich Crown Court of 13 separate offences.

Paedophile head had no teaching qualifications

Derek Slade

SELF-CONFESSED paedophile Derek Slade became headmaster of a boarding school where he abused young boys despite having no formal teaching qualifications. Slade, who during his trial was likened by the

‘He must never leave prison as long as he lives’

Derek Slade

FORMER pupil Simon Wilshire was not sexually abused by Slade but described the former head teacher as "experienced in the art of beating". Mr Wilshire, now 45, recalled the first time Slade hit him on

Anchor Housing figures

AN article headlined Anchor making drastic cutbacks in properties in the Burton Mail newspaper and online stated that Anchor Trust, the company which wants to close Elizabeth Court in Brough Road,





National News

Electronic trio win Mercury prize

Electronic trio win Mercury prize

Electronic trio The xx have landed the Mercury Prize for their debut album xx.

One dead in Legionnaires' outbreak

One dead in Legionnaires' outbreak

A woman has died of a suspected Legionnaires' disease infection with 11 other cases already confirmed, public health chiefs have said.

'Motorbike thief' killed in crash

'Motorbike thief' killed in crash

A suspected motorbike thief who police refused to chase because he was not wearing a helmet has been killed in a crash - riding with no helmet on a stolen machine.

Traditional retirement 'impossible'

Traditional retirement 'impossible'

Nearly three-quarters of Britons think a traditional retirement will no longer be possible in the future, a survey has indicated.