A pool by any other name

Everyone seems to be intent on putting names on everything (Forum, 28 May 2007).

Firstly, why can't we call structures what they really are: Woy Woy Cycle Bridge or whatever, surely more appreciated by visitors to the district.

If you must have names, what's more appropriate than the many hundreds of people who year after year give their time in our own district as volunteers in hospitals, Church organisations , dozens of charity shops and stalls, schools, community buses - too many places to list.

Why some untidy old man from another country?

Then about honouring Gentleman Jim.

Almost 20 years ago, my neighbour Katherine Prentice and I thought why do we drive each morning out of the district for our early morning swim when the Woy Woy Pool was there.

We began to experiment with it.

One had to walk through knee-high weeds to find clear water which I believe had never been depthed.

The timber boardwalk was broken and non-existent in many places.

The stairs at the deep end were heavily encrusted with shells and fishermen threw plastic bags and rubbish into the water.

After repeated letters to council and councillors, eventually the reeds were cleared once.

They did renew the board walk around the pool and they built a new brick toilet block.

We asked for a pontoon in the middle because we took our grandchildren and the water is extremely deep.

This was never included.

There are always many families with children around this area, particularly now we have the lovely playground, so why don't we have an inviting pool there?

Many people cannot afford the cost of the main pool for a daily short swim and children could at least have a paddle.

Joyce Craig Woy Woy