Best Of British

goldenThis year’s biggest SPATA winners, XL Pools, lived up to their name in the recent British Pool & Hot Tub Awards. The Kent-based team scooped three SPATA Gold awards, as well as The Dick Millward Trophy for Pool Contractor of the Year and the Outstanding Pool of the Year Award. Also celebrating were Wensum Pools, of Norfolk, who were the overall winners of the Peter Geekie Award for Retail Excellence. The multi-award winning family run business established in 1977 have built many pools as well as renovating and servicing swimming pools in the East Anglian region. Based at South Raynham, Nr. Fakenham, Wensum’s Pool and Spa Display Centre boasts more than 20 hot tubs and swimspas, three swimming pools and saunas on display. Only open to SPATA member companies, the British Pool & Hot Tub Awards competition aims to recognise the achievements of the Trade Association members by showcasing the best examples of design, construction, installation and innovation. Entries are received nationwide from members of SPATA, the organisation that sets standards governing the installation, construction and operation of hot tubs, swim and exercise spas, pools, spas, saunas and steam rooms. Timed to coincide with SPATEX, this year’s winners were congratulated by former British track and field athlete, Sally Gunnell OBE DL. Sally remains the only woman ever to hold four major track titles concurrently – Olympic, World, European and Commonwealth and rightfully received a standing ovation from the audience. The awards were presented by Alex Kemsley (BSPF President and BISHTA Chairman), Will Dando (BSPF Vice President) and Richard Carrington (SPATA Chairman) with help from a number of category sponsors. This year was an exceptional event as members of the European Union of Swimming Pool and Spa Associations (EUSA) joined Mille Örnmark (EUSA President for 2018 and 2019) to hold their European Pool & Spa Awards and there was also the, now traditional, re-presentation of the ISPE 2017 awards overseen by the ISPE’s President, John Cheek.