The first meeting of the Friends of Narberth Pool Action Group - formed to fight the proposed closure of the facility in the town - took place on Monday.

Members of the action group are: Ruth Barnes (representing the Narberth community), Kelly Harrison (representing Narberth CP School), Clr. Elwyn Morse (representing Pembrokeshire County Council), Helen Murray (representing PLANED), Jenny Price (representing the Narberth community), Clr. Mrs. Sue Rees and Clr. Mrs. Elizabeth Rogers (representing Narberth Town Council), John Sleigh (representing the Narberth community). Apologies were received from Janine Perkins (representing Bloomfield).

The meeting agreed that its sole purpose is to 'preserve Narberth Pool' for future generations.

The strategy of the action group is to work in co-operation with Pembrokeshire County Council to develop a mutually agreeable business plan which will be viable and sustainable.

Priorities were as follows: set-up a preliminary meeting with Pembrokeshire County Council (PCC) officials. A list of questions is being prepared and will be sent to PCC in advance of the meeting; set-up a preliminary meeting with energy suppliers and consultants to establish the costs and benefits of a variety of options for reducing the carbon footprint of the pool operations; set-up a preliminary meeting with lawyers and advisers to establish the optimum business model for a sustainable future.

Work has started in each of these areas and members are optimistic that some of these meetings will take place before the end of December.

"Although we have already received considerable voluntary support, we anticipate that at some stage in the future, we will have to engage professional services for some items," said campaigner John Sleigh.

"No funds are immediately available to us and we'd therefore like to invite you to join us for an informal social event on Saturday, December 21, between 10 am and 1 pm, at the pool. We'll provide a drink and mince pie in exchange for a donation to the Friends of Narberth Pool funds. There will also be a raffle which will be drawn at around 1 pm. The pool closes for its Christmas shutdown at 1.30."