SIR The effect of not having a swimming pool for a minimum of two years, if the rumours are to be believed, will be devastating on a whole generation of young people. Many may not learn to swim through their local primary schools and leisure centre lessons, and those who have may lose skills and could return to being non-swimmers. Having taught swimming voluntarily for 39 years and professionally for 18 years in Monmouth and larger centres in London and Bristol, I have found the younger you learn, the better. It is important at a young age to get into a habit of swimming regularly and improve your swimming. Lives could be at risk as children and young adults return to swimming in local rivers when there is no public pool available. There should be no break in this facility. People should be asking all involved in the decision-making of the new school if they could live with themselves if their action causes a loss of life, Johnanthan Russell (Monmouth)