A CAMPAIGN to rebuild Barry’s legendary Cold Knap Lido has had its first positive corporate response with Barry-based Dow Corning welcoming an approach for funding.

The chemical giant, when approached by the Barry & District News, said it would be keen to learn more and was aware of the community support the Facebook Rebuild The Knap Lido campaign, had generated.

Almost 6500 people have pledged support and more than 2,100 people have signed the petition calling for the iconic facility to be brought back to Barry.

The lido, at 120 yards long and 20 yards wide, one of the largest open-air pools in the UK before it closed to the public in 1996, with the Vale Council saying its maintenance was too costly.

Demolition and infilling of the pool began in March 2004.

Rebuild Knap Lido campaign founder Barrie Evans said Dow Corning had shown an interest in taking on the iconic pool complex, but the Vale Council had rejected the idea.

He said the Welsh Government, Heritage Lottery Funding, Cadw and Rhondda Cynon Taf Council were helping transform the derelict lido in Pontypridd.

Site manager at Dow Corning in Barry, Brian Austin said the company was always keen to support community projects wherever it could.

It donated £18,000 to local projects last year with its Dow Corning European Funding programme giving a further £25,000 to projects at Ty Hafan hospice and Ashgrove school.

He said: “We recognise that the Lido is something that the people of Barry feel passionately about, so if a community group supporting the Barry Lido needed our financial help we would welcome an application from them for our consideration.”

Barrie Evans said the interest was excellent news and the support was “incredible”.

He added: “We want a similar response from the Council leader - a positive response rather than a negative one.”

To sign the petition, visit

http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/the-vale-of-glamorgan-council-we-are-the-rebuild-the-knap-lido-group-and-we-want-you-at-the-vale-council-to-rebuild-the-knap-lido-fortwith#

What memories do you have? Email barrynews@gwent-wales.co.uk