Developer donation for innovative Somerset community pool

The developer behind the Hartnells Farm development in Taunton has lent a helping hand to a much-loved community organisation in West Somerset.

Persimmon Homes South West has donated £1,500 to WiveyPool as part of its Community Champions initiative.

The community-run pool in Wiveliscombe has been at the heart of local life for more than 90 years. Now managed by volunteers as a charity, WiveyPool provides affordable access to swimming for all ages, offers lessons and school sessions, and has been at the forefront of sustainability – including installing innovative solar thermal panels to reduce energy costs and carbon emissions.

The charity has worked tirelessly to ensure the pool’s survival and development, with support from the local community, ensuring that future generations can benefit from swimming in a safe, inclusive, and environmentally conscious facility.

Persimmon’s Community Champions scheme sees over £700,000 donated to good causes and much-valued organisations across Britain each year. Recent local recipients include Taunton RFC Junior Section, West Monkton Parish Council, and Wellington Baptist Church’s Warm Place programme.

The five-star developer currently has three and four-bed homes for sale from £349,995 at its Hartnells Farm site in Taunton. Earlier this year, Persimmon secured planning permission for the final phase of 90 homes on the site, which will mean 320 new homes for local people in the area once complete.

Commenting, Persimmon Homes South West Sales Director Stacey Harris said:

“WiveyPool is a fantastic community-run facility with an incredible history, and we were very impressed with the way local people have worked together to secure its future.

At Persimmon we are delighted to be supporting their work through our Community Champions scheme, and we know this donation will make a real difference to the volunteers who keep this much-loved pool open for everyone to enjoy.”

WiveyPool’s Elizabeth Hurry added:

“We are hugely grateful to Persimmon for their support. As a community-run charity, every penny counts, and this donation will help us continue to provide affordable, sustainable swimming for local people of all ages.

“WiveyPool is about much more than swimming – it’s about health, wellbeing, and bringing the community together – and support like this helps keep that spirit alive.”