Bollywood comes to Weston’s new Marine Lake

Almost Synchro swimmers plunge into the newly opened Marine Lake to celebrate Weston Arts + Health Festival.

Swimmers from southwest outdoor swimming synchro group Almost Synchro plunged into the newly opened and re-developed Marine Lake in Weston-super-Mare to celebrate the finale weekend of Weston Arts + Health Festival.

Joining forces with Weston-based artist Shruti Bhoyar, Almost Synchro presented a special routine featuring Bollywood choreography and music, which received rapturous applause from onlookers. The event ended with a community splash as members of the public dived in Marine Lake to enjoy a synchro workshop.

The swimming group of women, among them members inspired to take part due to health reasons, then tucked in to a warming bowl of Massaman dhal and mugs of chai served up by Loves Cafe. The recipes were created by Anna Southwell, a regular contributor to Outdoor Swimmer.

The Weston Arts + Health Festival (5-9 October), produced by University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) and Culture Weston, saw thousands of people enjoy an eclectic programme of activities. The theme of the festival was ‘Global Weston’, celebrating the rich diversity of the town’s community and NHS staff at Weston General Hospital.

Showcasing the impact of creativity on health and wellbeing, there was something for everyone at the festival – from a centre-piece photo exhibition featuring hospital staff to bandstand performances, poetry, craft sessions, music, community feasts and more.

Residents and visitors to Weston can still enjoy the In Our Hands photo exhibition in Princess Royal Square until the end of October.

And you can still see Shruti Bhoyar’s stunning Cold Water Swimming illustrations in a window display at Weston Artspace and online at cultureweston.org.uk.

To find out more about the newly redeveloped Marine Lake in Weston-Super-Mare, visit westonmarinelake.co.uk

Photos by Paul Blakemore