Volunteers pitched in to tidy up the Broomhill Pool site in Ipswich this weekend.

East Anglian Daily Times: The Broomhill Pool is due to be restored to its former glory. Picture: SONYA DUNCANThe Broomhill Pool is due to be restored to its former glory. Picture: SONYA DUNCAN (Image: (C) Archant 2020)

Work to create a fitness and leisure centre, operated by Fusion Lifestyle, was put on hold due to the coronavirus lockdown earlier this year.

East Anglian Daily Times: Improvements to Broomhill Pool have been delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Picture: SONYA DUNCANImprovements to Broomhill Pool have been delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Picture: SONYA DUNCAN (Image: (C) Archant 2020)

The Broomhill Pool Trust organised a clear-up of the site on Saturday – with Mark Ling and about a dozen other volunteers met by thick overgrowth on their arrival.

East Anglian Daily Times: Volunteers from the Broomhill Pool Trust spent the day tidying up the facility. Picture: SONYA DUNCANVolunteers from the Broomhill Pool Trust spent the day tidying up the facility. Picture: SONYA DUNCAN (Image: (C) Archant 2020)

“It was like a jungle in places, but we were able to cut a lot back,” he said.

East Anglian Daily Times: Broomhill Pool, in Ipswich, was closed in 2002. Picture: SONYA DUNCANBroomhill Pool, in Ipswich, was closed in 2002. Picture: SONYA DUNCAN (Image: (C) Archant 2020)

“But it’s amazing what a difference a day can make.”

East Anglian Daily Times: Volunteers from the Broomhill Pool Trust spent a hard day's work tidying up at the facility. Picture: SONYA DUNCANVolunteers from the Broomhill Pool Trust spent a hard day's work tidying up at the facility. Picture: SONYA DUNCAN (Image: (C) Archant 2020)

Woods Professional Decorators also helped by covering graffiti for free.

East Anglian Daily Times: Ipswich's Broomhill Pool was first opened in 1938. Picture: SONYA DUNCANIpswich's Broomhill Pool was first opened in 1938. Picture: SONYA DUNCAN (Image: (C) Archant 2020)

The pool, which closed in 2002, is eventually set to be restored to its 1938 state – with the addition of a two-storey fitness suite.

East Anglian Daily Times: The Broomhill Pool Trust organised a tidy up at the Grade II listed site after Covid-19 has delayed the long awaited restoration. Picture: SONYA DUNCANThe Broomhill Pool Trust organised a tidy up at the Grade II listed site after Covid-19 has delayed the long awaited restoration. Picture: SONYA DUNCAN (Image: (C) Archant 2020)

Mr Ling said the trust had come through other setbacks in 17 years of campaigning, adding: “The pool survived the Second World War and the Cold War. It’ll survive Covid.”

Visit broomhillpooltrust.org for more on the project.