Tairgwaith based poet and cross channel swimmer Emily Hinshelwood has lent her support to the campaign to re-open Brynaman Lido.

As a poet and a swimmer, she was delighted to be involved in a recent arts based event in the outdoor pool which was held to raise awareness of the campaign.

The event saw poets reading in the pool, members of the public reading passages about swimming from classic books such as Women In Love and The Go Between, and members of Jess Lerner's Movement Group performing a one-off site-specific Dance piece.

Emily got fully into the part, reading from her collection "On Becoming A Fish", which is based on walks and swims along the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, stood in the empty pool, in her swimming costume.

Phil Broadhurst, who helped organise the event, said: "We didn't have any water in the pool, so we filled it with artists, dancers, poets, writers and children playing instead!

"To have such a great atmosphere in the Lido, without even having water in the pool, shows the amazing potential of this place."

Emma Pusill, who came to the event from Portishead, where she has been involved in a successful attempt to get the Lido there re-opened, said : "This event did exactly what lidos do so well?—?it drew community, creativity and other organisations with similar aims together for a common purpose. There was sunshine, and the sound of voices bouncing around this beautiful pool once again."

The pool was closed in 2010 after Carmarthenshire Council said they could not afford to pay for health and safety related repairs. Local people have been campaigning for it to be re-opened ever since.

When the pool was first closed, actress Minnie Driver gave her support to the campaign. She had filmed scenes for her film Hunky Dory there. She said: "It's such a beautiful lido. Lidos are part of our heritage and you do need to protect them."

Brynaman Lido Committee are planning further events, in partnership with other interested community groups. The event last week was in partnership with Fair Trade Ways Wales, who promote Fairtrade through walking activities and events. The Committee hope that when the Lido does re-open fully, the new Lido will include a Fairtrade snack bar, serving cyclists and walkers using the riverside path, as well as swimmers and local people.