Latest news with #paddlingpool


BBC News
3 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Pickering Park paddling pool unable to open for summer, says Hull council
A paddling pool will not be open for the summer despite Hull City Council previously saying that refurbishment would be completed in time for the Park is due to have £540,000 spent upgrading its water play council said that work would not be finished "due to issues out of the council and appointed contractor's control".A member of a local community group said he was "extremely disappointed" at the news. Colin Jennings, committee member of the Friends of Pickering Park, said: "We were hopeful we would be open by now. They need to get the work done."I'm aware they have plans and they look fantastic. Designs on paper are all well and good, but we need the work doing."The facility has been closed since 2023 over health and safety West and Haltemprice Labour MP Emma Hardy raised the issue in a social media post."The project's been signed off, contractors chosen and yet, nothing is happening," she wrote."This isn't just disappointing, it's unfair." A Hull City Council spokesperson said: "The council is committed to refurbishing the paddling pool at Pickering Park for its residents and visitors as we know how valued and loved it is by the local community."We would like to reassure residents this work is a priority for us, and we are working hard to ensure it is completed as soon as possible."Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Download the BBC News app from the App Store for iPhone and iPad or Google Play for Android devices.


Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Climate
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Defiant TikTokers vow to ignore hosepipe ban 'because they pay their water bills'... as experts share tips on how to get around it without breaking the law
TikTokers claim they are flouting the hosepipe ban as they continue to fill up paddling pools while England struggles with the driest start to the year since 1976. Homeowners are posting jovial videos showing them using the hose in their gardens - with one saying: 'I pay my water bill so I will be filling up the pool for the kids.' Another posted a clip of a happy girl enjoying the pool on a sunny day, writing: 'Hosepipe ban? Someone come tell her that she can't do this today.' A third uploaded a clip showing them with a hosepipe next to their pool in the garden, writing: 'Do you think I'm playing in doors when it's 30C out here?' And one showed a hosepipe running into a garden being used to fill up a pool under the caption 'breaking the law', adding: 'It's not me, it's the neighbours hahahaha.' Others said they were filling up pools before the ban in their area came in, so they could enjoy being in the water outside even once the restrictions had begun. Some came up with workarounds, such as filling up the pool with a kettle - or running the water from an outside tap through a water bottle with a hole in the bottom. And gardening experts also pointed out that those in hosepipe ban areas are still allowed to water their plants by filling up a watering can from an outdoor tap. @_katiewood24 #breakingthelaw #hosepipeban #uk #30cheat #summerintheuk a #paddlingpool ♬ original sound - wannabe_mermaid TikTok users claim they are flouting a hosepipe ban as they continue to fill up pools - although one (bottom right) has insisted the video was a joke, and she is not in an area with restrictions It comes as England battles exceptionally dry weather and Southern Water today became the latest company to bring in a hosepipe ban, to protect rare chalk stream habitat. The company said restrictions on hosepipes for activities such as watering gardens, filling paddling pools or washing cars would come in for households in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight from Monday. The move aims to protect the Test and Itchen chalk streams, which supply most of the area's water, but are at 'critically low levels', down 24 per cent on normal flows for the time of year, Southern Water said. It was the latest announcement by water companies bringing in hosepipe bans in response to the driest start to the year since 1976 for England. Rainfall across England was 20 per cent less than the long-term average for June, which was also the hottest on record for the country, with two heatwaves driving unusually high demand for water, the Environment Agency has said. More heatwave conditions have followed in July, with the Met Office warning weather extremes such as heat have become the 'norm' for the UK as a result of climate change driven by human activities such as burning fossil fuels. East and West Midlands became the latest areas of England to fall into drought amid three summer heatwaves so far and a drier than average June. The Environment Agency said three more areas - Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire, East Anglia, and Thames area - have now moved into prolonged dry weather status. The East and West Midlands regions have joined Yorkshire, Cumbria and Lancashire, and Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire, which are already in drought. Across England, rainfall was 20 per cent less than the long-term average for June, which was also the hottest on record for the country with two heatwaves driving unusually high demand for water, the Environment Agency said. Other TikTok users have been filling up pools before the hosepipe ban in their area came in Reservoir levels continue to fall, with storage across the country at 76 per cent. Millions of households are facing water restrictions, with a hosepipe ban implemented in Yorkshire last Friday in the face of reservoir storage at only 54 per cent. Yorkshire Water said restrictions on using hosepipes for activities such as watering the garden, cleaning cars and filling paddling pools were brought in to try to protect supplies in the face of more dry weather forecast in the coming weeks. Customers who ignore the hosepipe ban could face fines of up to £1,000, but the utility said 'we hope it won't come to that' as it urged households to help conserve water by sticking to the restrictions. The restrictions include using a hosepipe to water gardens and wash private vehicles, fill domestic pools or clean outdoor surfaces. People can still wash their car and water their gardens using tap water from a bucket or watering can, while the region's 139,000 businesses will be allowed to use a hosepipe if it is directly related to an essential commercial purpose - but not for other uses such as cleaning paths outside a business property. Youlgrave Waterworks, a private firm which supplies 500 homes in Derbyshire, became the first to introduce a hosepipe ban at the start of last month. But Yorkshire Water was the first major utility to bring in restrictions for its 5.7million customers. Embattled utility Thames Water has also announced a ban which will begin next Tuesday for customers in Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, most of Wiltshire and some parts of Berkshire. London has avoided the ban, which will be applied to 1.1million customers in postcodes beginning with OX, GL, SN, RG4, RG8 and RG9. The water company has asked customers not to use hosepipes, including for cleaning cars, watering plants, filling pools or cleaning windows. Businesses which use water as a core part of their purpose, such as garden centres and car washes, will be exempt. South East Water has a ban in place from this Friday, which will affect homes and businesses in Ashford, Canterbury, Eastbourne, Maidstone, Haywards Heath and Royal Tunbridge Wells. Southern Water's water managing director Tim McMahon said: 'We're sorry we're taking this step, but as other water companies have already done, we have to respond to the widespread and prolonged dry weather affecting our region. Some people have come up with workarounds, such as filling up the pool with a kettle (right)- or running the water from an outside tap through a water bottle with a hole in the bottom (left) While some appeared to be confused as to what the ban means (left), gardening experts say those in hosepipe ban areas can still water their plants by filling up a watering can (right) 'In our case, this means a hosepipe ban for our customers in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight to protect the health of our amazing chalk streams, which as one of the rarest habitats on earth has been compared to the Amazon Rainforest. 'We must act now to support the wildlife that live there, including Atlantic salmon and southern damselfly.' He said the company has been working '24/7' to find and fix leaks, and ensuring the network is working as efficiently as possible, but it is 'not enough', and he urged customers to help to reduce use by adhering to the ban. Meanwhile Anglian Water, which supplies drinking water to 4.3 million customers across the East of England - the driest part of the country - said recent rain has prevented the need for a hosepipe ban, but one could still be required this summer. Recent rain has helped river and reservoir levels and more is predicted for the coming weeks, but with an 'exceptionally dry' few months and uncertainty over the forecast, a hosepipe ban may yet be needed, the utility said. The warning comes after East Anglia was among the regions moved into prolonged dry weather status, at the same time drought was declared in the East and West Midlands. Anglian Water's director of water services, Ian Rule, said: 'The East of England is the driest part of the country so we're used to seeing a lack of rainfall in our region and we plan accordingly. 'Our focus on leakage, and the investment we've put in place to give us resilience in the face of climate change, has helped to delay the need for restrictions, but the last few months have been exceptionally dry, even by our standards. 'River levels had been looking very low following the historically dry spring, but they have responded better than expected to recent rainfall. 'There is also some rain in the forecast over the coming weeks which, if it materialises, could provide some welcome respite for the region's rivers and reservoirs. 'However, the forecast is far from certain, so we're closely monitoring the situation and if the exceptionally dry weather does continue, then restrictions might still be needed this summer.' He also said the dry ground means water pipes are at greater risk of shifting and breaking, and the company is facing an increase in issues being reported, with teams working round the clock to fix burst and leaking pipes. The company does not want to put restrictions in place unnecessarily, he added, but protecting the environment and the region's 'vital' agricultural sector means leaving as much water in the environment as possible. The Environment Agency has warned that without substantial rain, more bans will follow. The drought declaration for the Midlands, where some river flows are at their lowest for June since 1976, came after the latest meeting of the National Drought Group - with the situation deteriorating since the group last met in early June. Water companies are being told to follow their drought management plans as well as step up work to fix leaks. The public are being urged to use water wisely across England and comply with any local restrictions as the dry weather continues to impact water resources nationwide. Anglers, wild swimmers and boaters are also being urged to report any environmental issues they see, such as fish in distress in low water conditions.


The Sun
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
The best free water attractions in UK cities for kids to cool down in the heat – from Cardiff to London
MANY UK cities may not be near the beach, but lots do offer free places for kids to have a splash and cool down in the hot weather. Here's a list of the top free water attractions in cities across the country. 5 London When it comes to the capital, there are many places to play in water or have a dip - despite it being nowhere near the coast. One such location is Kensington Memorial Park - which is home to a number of different activities including a water play area. Open every day from 10am to 6pm, children can splash about in a number of different water features. Alternatively head to Jeppe Hein 'Appearing Rooms' on the Southbank. This destination features a number of shooting jets, that essentially create 'rooms' for a couple of seconds before they then disappear. The water feature was designed by the Danish Artist Jeppe Hein and originally was commissioned for the garden of Villa Manin in Italy. Similarly, fountains can also be found in Elephant and Castle and in Granary Square, King's Cross. Over in Greenwich Park playground, there is a water and sand play feature to explore, with slides too. London is home to a number of free paddling pools and splash parks, like in Clissold Park, Ruskin Park and Nyatt's Field. Derby Markeaton Park has a paddling pool located within the Mundy Place Centre and is free to use. The pool was also recently resurfaced and is open daily through the summer from 10:30am to 4pm. In the wider park area, there are a number of other things to explore like woodland trails and a tree house trek high ropes course. Birmingham Whilst not by the sea, Birmingham does have a pop-up beach for the summer, until the end of August. The beach is free to enter and is open each day from 12pm. There are also a number of funfair rides at the beach spot, all costing £3.50 or less. Deckchairs are also available for free. Manchester Located just outside the city is Stamford Park, which features rows of water fountains for children to play in. In total, there are 29 jets that make the shape of a leaf. The fountains are switched on each day between 11am and 5:45pm. The public can also take part in paddle-boarding sessions at the park, or have a spin on a pedalo. Chester Located on the banks of the River Dee, Sandy Lane Aqua Park boasts free outdoor water play for children throughout the summer. The park has 10 water features including sprinklers, jet sprays, tipping buckets, and a geyser squirter. The water play area is open from May to September. Just opposite, is also a play area for families to explore. Norwich Heading to Norwich, families can find a water play area at Waterloo Park Splash Pad. The Splash Pad itself is set within the play park, which has 75 features for children aged between zero and 12-years-old. Some of the different features include a rope swing and a sensory den and dome. Brighton Whilst Brighton does have the beach you can head to, there is also a popular seafront pool in the seaside city. Kings Road Paddling Pool was recently repaired in time for the summer holidays and is located close to the West Pier. The paddling pool itself is large and shallow - making it a great place to allow little ones to explore the water but under supervision. Also in Brighton, is The Level - a set of water fountains open each day between 10am and 1pm and 2pm and 6pm. 5 Cambridge Located in the historic city of Cambridge is Lammas Land - a popular park about half a mile from the city centre. Here visitors can find a large play area with a pool, great for shallow water play. Also in Cambridge is another paddling pool and splashpad at Coleridge Recreation Ground. Whilst the splashpad is currently closed, the paddling pool is still open and is fenced off to provide a safe area to play. There are also other facilities in the park including a tennis court, football field and table tennis. Cherry Hinton Hall also has a water play area in its grounds, with two paddling pools. Both pools have a maximum depth of 40cm and there is also a picnic area close-by. Oxford Over in Oxford, a new splash park opened in April at Hinksey Park. The new water play area features a splash pad with jets and fountains. The splash park is free to use and will be open everyday until the end of summer. Hinksey Park also has a large outdoor swimming pool, play area, tennis courts, a lake and grassy areas. Reading Located in Reading, Woodford Park Paddling pool is suitable for children aged five and over. It is free for public use during the summer months and is usually open between 11am and 6pm. Portsmouth In Portsmouth you'll find Hilsea Jubilee Splash Pool, which is an open-access pool area for children aged eight and under. The destination has two shallow pools - no deeper than five inches - and many play features. There is a free car park at the site too. Cardiff Located in Cardiff 's Grade 2 historic Victoria Park, the Splashpad play area has 33 features including sprays, jets, a tipping water bucket and tunnel. The park also has beach volleyball, tennis courts and a little kiosk serving refreshments. The Splashpad is open on weekdays between 11am and 6:45pm and at weekends between 10am and 6:45pm. Nottingham The Embankment Children's Paddling Pool in Nottingham was recently restored with modern features. The pool was originally built 1928 and is open daily from 10am to 6pm. Free lidos across the UK Blackpill Lido in Swansea: Located in Swansea, this lido is free for all visitors and does not require booking. It also features a children's play area, paddling pool, climbing rock, and picnic area. Shoalstone Seawater Pool in Brixham, Devon: This 53-metre seawater pool is a free alternative to traditional lidos and is one of the few remaining tidal pools in the country. It's set within The English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark. Bude Sea Pool in Cornwall: A semi-natural tidal pool on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, Bude Sea Pool is also free for all to use. Hampstead Heath Paddling Pools in London: Hampstead Heath Paddling Pools reopened on May 24 and include a shallow pool ideal for young children. Stoke Park Paddling Pool in Guildford: This is another large, free paddling pool option and also has wheelchair access. All the lidos in the UK have also been mapped and there are ones with water slides, cocktail bars and some are even free to enter. Plus, one of the UK's best seaside towns is set to get new tidal lido on the beach. 5


The Sun
11-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
B&Q's £9 giant paddling pool will keep your kids entertained for hours in the sun – and will last for years to come
A GIANT B&Q paddling pool will keep kids entertained - while also lasting for years to come. Brits have been enjoying glorious sunny summer weather in recent weeks. 2 B&Q selling giant inflatable paddling pool for incredible price And to this end, B&Q are selling a sizeable inflatable paddling pool for just £9.99. Known as the "TP Giant Inflatable Paddling Pool", the product is available solely to buy online. Its description reads: "A Giant Paddling Pool from TP Toys. "Cool down the family in style this summer with the ultimate jumbo paddling pool. "Featuring a comfy headrest and viewing window and even includes a repair kit to ensure your garden pool will last for years to come." Parents rave about another paddling pool option Elsewhere, parents were raving about an Amazon paddling pool that inflates in two minutes. The budget-friendly pool had been slashed in price and is now just £8.99. Reduced from £34.99, that's an incredible 74% off. Families raced to get their hands on the Bestway 6ft inflatable pool, which is great for smaller gardens. Better yet, the pool is easy to set up and can be ready for water in just 10 minutes. The clever way you can ensure your paddling pool is kept warm With an average rating of 4.2 stars out of five on Amazon, it's clear families have been loving the pool too. One said: "I love how easy this is to set up and deflate. It does take a while to fill but that's due to the capacity of the pool "It's easy to get in and out of. I will say is when you lean on the side you will lose water." "Great, cheap pool. Massive and only need to blow up 1 ring," another wrote.


The Sun
11-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Paddling pool slashed to £16 for Amazon Prime Day is a ‘godsend' for heatwave and school holidays
An Amazon Prime Day deal has cut the price of a paddling pool in the midst of the UK's heatwave. The Intex 6ft x 20in Easy Set Swimming Pool is reduced from £25.88 to £16.29, saving 37% off. Intex 6ft x 20in Easy Set Swimming Pool £16.29 (was £25.88) As the UK continues to swelter in over 30 degree temperatures, many of us are searching for ways to stay cool. For those with a garden, a paddling pool is a cheap yet effective solution to find some relief during the hottest days. The Intex 6ft x 20in Easy Set Swimming Pool is an affordable option, and for under £26 it's probably going to cost you less than one day out, plus you'll have it for years to come. Its compact size makes it easy to set up in smaller gardens, so it should fit even if you've got limited outdoor space. The simple, no frills option measures 183cm x 51cm, so it's big enough for a few kids to splash around in to cool off, and also encourages them to play outside away from screens. It comes flat, with almost no set-up needed, as the pool reaches its shape as you fill it with water, and when it's not in use, you can easily fold it up and pack it away. Although it hasn't been the only paddling pool to drop in price during the sale, many of the deals have sold out, so you'll want to be quick as there's no guarantee that stock will last until the end of the day. If you're a parent you'll know that keeping kids entertained can be tricky, and with the school holidays around the corner, now is a great time to stock up on some bargains to keep them happy. The pool has racked up a whopping 37,000 reviews on Amazon, with many giving five-star ratings. One shopper said: ''Best buy for this summer!'' ''Easy to set up, I recommend adding the filter system.'' Another happy customer added: ''It's been a godsend through our heatwave. I'm so glad I bought it before the hot weather came.'' While a third praised the heatwave buy, commenting: ''Best thing I ever bought for the school holidays.'' Intex 6ft x 20in Easy Set Swimming Pool £16.29 (was £25.88) Amazon Prime Day has been offering significant discounts across a variety of categories, including home, garden, and appliances. From lawn care tools to outdoor furniture and cooling fans, shoppers have been taking advantage of the sale to prepare for the warmer months ahead. If you want to equip your garden with some shade for the hot weather, Amazon's selling a huge garden parasol that's ideal for covering a patio dining area. Or, for keeping food and drink cold while you're on the go, the Coleman Performance cool box has 33% off, reducing it to £40. The Sun Shopping's round-up of Amazon Prime Day Live UK deals is a good place to stay up to date with what's being discounted throughout the sales period.