Dad, Husband, Researcher - Sport Management @ Northumbria University, #PhD student - #Sport #Culture, #Places, #Spaces, #People. Future #Lidos co-founder. Frequently #Swimming or #Cycling. Views my own.https://bsky.app/profile/michaeldwood74.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/michaeldwood74.bsky.social/post/3mz62uaultc2pThe decline in public swimming pool numbers was picked up by the Mirror this week. Despite this being forecast and known for years through Swim England data, and an active lobby, there's no timeline for it getting any better. No plan. No funding. https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/swimming-pools-closed-summer-drownings-37806167.amp31 Oct 2026 10:16 +0000at://did:plc:2boyfazc36dgeyazbpszbjcl/app.bsky.feed.post/3mz62uaultc2phttps://bsky.app/profile/michaeldwood74.bsky.social/post/3mz2jfaxzrs2tPaul Heaton (h) What a good place to be!30 Oct 2026 00:25 +0000at://did:plc:2boyfazc36dgeyazbpszbjcl/app.bsky.feed.post/3mz2jfaxzrs2thttps://bsky.app/profile/michaeldwood74.bsky.social/post/3mz2jdry4rs2tLightning Seeds (h) We've got to find the time for the life of Riley.30 Oct 2026 00:24 +0000at://did:plc:2boyfazc36dgeyazbpszbjcl/app.bsky.feed.post/3mz2jdry4rs2thttps://bsky.app/profile/michaeldwood74.bsky.social/post/3myxgbttoic2fExcited to be heading to see @paulheatonsolo.bsky.social (and Lightning Seeds) tomorrow night in Newcastle. Dusting off our collective merch to see who has the best! First memory though is seeing Paul in the Mainbrace on Cott Road when we studied in Hull (92-95)28 Oct 2026 18:52 +0000at://did:plc:2boyfazc36dgeyazbpszbjcl/app.bsky.feed.post/3myxgbttoic2fhttps://bsky.app/profile/michaeldwood74.bsky.social/post/3myng7bd5422cLoved getting a sneak preview of the new Project Padel super site on Silverlink, North Tyneside. 12 courts opening next month, with gym, bar and studio following in due course. Quite a transformation of the old END warehouse. VAMOS!24 Oct 2026 19:24 +0000at://did:plc:2boyfazc36dgeyazbpszbjcl/app.bsky.feed.post/3myng7bd5422chttps://bsky.app/profile/michaeldwood74.bsky.social/post/3myepztjlh22sSignificant cultural inward investment into Liverpool to amplify the legacy of the Beatles, going live 2027 - 2028. Physical spaces, alongside global storytelling will attract further investment, drive visits and the visitor economy even higher. https://www.theguardian.com/music/2026/oct/20/vast-beatles-museum-hailed-as-extraordinary-by-paul-mccartney-to-open-in-liverpool-in-202821 Oct 2026 08:26 +0000at://did:plc:2boyfazc36dgeyazbpszbjcl/app.bsky.feed.post/3myepztjlh22shttps://bsky.app/profile/michaeldwood74.bsky.social/post/3my2ltgfll22nSumptuous sunrise skies over Tynemouth this morning.17 Oct 2026 07:44 +0000at://did:plc:2boyfazc36dgeyazbpszbjcl/app.bsky.feed.post/3my2ltgfll22nhttps://bsky.app/profile/michaeldwood74.bsky.social/post/3mxk5kfs6rs2iAurora, from Seaton Sluice. 1945.10 Oct 2026 18:46 +0000at://did:plc:2boyfazc36dgeyazbpszbjcl/app.bsky.feed.post/3mxk5kfs6rs2ihttps://bsky.app/profile/michaeldwood74.bsky.social/post/3mxjbbpuvvc2iMorning wander through Shields and Tynemouth. Superlow tide on the Tyne. It's mint up North.10 Oct 2026 10:20 +0000at://did:plc:2boyfazc36dgeyazbpszbjcl/app.bsky.feed.post/3mxjbbpuvvc2ihttps://bsky.app/profile/michaeldwood74.bsky.social/post/3mwuun3xt2s2sGreat achievement by Places Leisure in Northumberland. They had been expected to run at a loss of around £115,000 – but ended up bringing in £743,000. 8% increase in memberships cited as part of the success. Manage leisure well and people will use it. https://www.northumberlandgazette.co.uk/news/politics/council/places-leisure-delivers-unexpected-profit-for-sports-centres-in-northumberland-9236277?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email02 Oct 2026 07:40 +0000at://did:plc:2boyfazc36dgeyazbpszbjcl/app.bsky.feed.post/3mwuun3xt2s2shttps://bsky.app/profile/michaeldwood74.bsky.social/post/3mwqjdmx4o22cThe acceleration in leisure investment continues as Pure Gym secures over £1bn finance to grow their portfolio by 750 sites in the markets in which they operate. Founded in 2008, they have achieved almost 500 sites in the UK. https://wellnation.uk/blog/2026/09/30/puregym-secures-refinancing-deal-to-support-expansion-plans/30 Sep 2026 14:07 +0000at://did:plc:2boyfazc36dgeyazbpszbjcl/app.bsky.feed.post/3mwqjdmx4o22chttps://bsky.app/profile/michaeldwood74.bsky.social/post/3mwqdhwqp2k2bI've had the good fortune to teach and work with a diversity of athlete scholars at @northumbriauni.bsky.social. They work hard, achieve a balance, and find that study helps their elite performance in a variety of valuable ways. No doubt that this trend continues. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/ckq5xp9p1v31o30 Sep 2026 12:22 +0000at://did:plc:2boyfazc36dgeyazbpszbjcl/app.bsky.feed.post/3mwqdhwqp2k2bhttps://bsky.app/profile/michaeldwood74.bsky.social/post/3mvztubk5tk2cEvery year we now see outdoor pools lengthening their seasons. Tonbridge are the latest to confirm their move. As we have found in activity and research for @future-lidos.bsky.social, demand exists for more access to these invaluable joyous community leisure spaces. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cge4qq1g2gno21 Sep 2026 13:44 +0000at://did:plc:2boyfazc36dgeyazbpszbjcl/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvztubk5tk2chttps://bsky.app/profile/michaeldwood74.bsky.social/post/3muz2ljxgck27Growth in the fitness and leisure sector remains strong, with many owners and operators looking to expand. Marketing, memberships and innovating in group exercise classes are driving the growth. However, available sites to develop is starting to constrain. https://wellnation.uk/blog/2026/09/07/fitness-industry-growth-report-positivity-despite-expansion-pressures/08 Sep 2026 12:47 +0000at://did:plc:2boyfazc36dgeyazbpszbjcl/app.bsky.feed.post/3muz2ljxgck27https://bsky.app/profile/michaeldwood74.bsky.social/post/3musbktyxm22cThe popularity of lidos and the recognition of @future-lidos.bsky.social, alongside the wealth of community organisations is drawing in supporters from all facets of leisure. As the 2026 Summer draws to a close, look out for momentum continuing through the winter. https://bluconcepts.co.uk/back-in-the-water-why-the-great-british-lido-revival-matters-for-leisure-operators/05 Sep 2026 20:03 +0000at://did:plc:2boyfazc36dgeyazbpszbjcl/app.bsky.feed.post/3musbktyxm22chttps://bsky.app/profile/michaeldwood74.bsky.social/post/3mud6pzabwk23The team at Great Run are presenting a phenomenal fringe of events from 7th September through to the Race on the 13th. Full details here. Lectures, coffee raves, beach yoga, book signings, shakeout runs, after show party, podcasts, and a pasta party! Get involved! www.greatrun.org/gnr-fringe/ https://www.greatrun.org/gnr-fringe/30 Aug 2026 20:02 +0000at://did:plc:2boyfazc36dgeyazbpszbjcl/app.bsky.feed.post/3mud6pzabwk23https://bsky.app/profile/michaeldwood74.bsky.social/post/3mu5sv5rhyk2cThe Ironman 70.3 experience has rolled into Zell am See, Austria. Expo, night race, local events, signage etc catering for athletes and their supporters. All in plenty of time for the big race on Sunday.28 Aug 2026 16:47 +0000at://did:plc:2boyfazc36dgeyazbpszbjcl/app.bsky.feed.post/3mu5sv5rhyk2chttps://bsky.app/profile/michaeldwood74.bsky.social/post/3mtour3wnrc2iRB Salzburg v EHCB, KE Kelit Arena (A). Rock me Amadeus.22 Aug 2026 18:11 +0000at://did:plc:2boyfazc36dgeyazbpszbjcl/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtour3wnrc2ihttps://bsky.app/profile/michaeldwood74.bsky.social/post/3mte4jkpw7k2sAlways heartening to still see investments into public leisure. £15m into the facilities supporting the Droitwich Spa complex. Outdoor pool, indoor pool, pump track and skate park just some of the elements giving their offer a diverse portfolio for the community. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crmrrw7yjz2o18 Aug 2026 11:31 +0000at://did:plc:2boyfazc36dgeyazbpszbjcl/app.bsky.feed.post/3mte4jkpw7k2shttps://bsky.app/profile/michaeldwood74.bsky.social/post/3mt5kh32o3c2kSpoke to BBC Notts David Pittam about lost lidos. Work figuring out Tynemouth Outdoor Pool restoration, alongside wider @northumbriauni.bsky.social and @future-lidos.bsky.social research, amplified by the heatwave, has seen 2026 focus on our public leisure spaces. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3eknk9e89yo15 Aug 2026 20:51 +0000at://did:plc:2boyfazc36dgeyazbpszbjcl/app.bsky.feed.post/3mt5kh32o3c2khttps://bsky.app/profile/michaeldwood74.bsky.social/post/3msy26i4e7c2wExpansion of leisure provision and the growth of the sector is a key customer driven trend now, beyond local authority leisure, which continues to contract - Everyone Active announcing 400 new sites and forecasted £600m additional turnover. https://www.healthclubmanagement.co.uk/health-club-management-news/Everyone-Active-targets-expansion-beyond-England-and-public-sector/36343313 Aug 2026 16:17 +0000at://did:plc:2boyfazc36dgeyazbpszbjcl/app.bsky.feed.post/3msy26i4e7c2whttps://bsky.app/profile/michaeldwood74.bsky.social/post/3mq5udebjh22b#NUFC08 Jul 2026 19:32 +0000at://did:plc:2boyfazc36dgeyazbpszbjcl/app.bsky.feed.post/3mq5udebjh22bhttps://bsky.app/profile/michaeldwood74.bsky.social/post/3mrczhbqk6c23A growing sea love love for KK at SJP. A beautiful tribute.23 Jul 2026 14:13 +0000at://did:plc:2boyfazc36dgeyazbpszbjcl/app.bsky.feed.post/3mrczhbqk6c23