Every year the swimming pool industry has its exhibitions for the trade all over the world. Usually the main events are the American show and the European show which are around this time of year.

This year however the two events are clashing so we’re left facing a choice between Lyon in France and the bright lights of Las Vegas.

1st-Direct is taking six key members of its team out to the 5 day event from 18th - 23rd November to be showcased all of the exciting and innovative products being brought to the market over the coming year.

No doubt this blog will become filled upon our return with many an exciting new swimming pool ideas and products which we hope to include next year.

Obviously it’s not all hard graft out there and we all very much look forward to getting together as an industry to share our thoughts and ideas.

All this with special thanks to our supplier SCP (UK) Ltd who are taking us out there as their guest.

The Daily Mail have today released an article about how Heather Mills is fighting to keep her £1million swimming pool at her residence in Robertsbridge, East Sussex.

Apparently the star decided to have her extrememly expensive new swimming pool built without the thought for planning permission. At 40ft x 22ft it’s a fair size swimming pool which attracted the attention of the local authorities who came around to check she’d taken down the marquee from earlier in the year.

Heather Mills is now fighting the case applying for retrospecitve planning permission and stating that she will offer her swimming pool water to be used by the fire brigade should there be a fire in her village. What a novel idea!

If she doesn’t get the permission granted then she will be forced to fill the brand new pool up with concrete which would be enough to make anyone cry!

Safety pool covers are becoming every more popular at the moment especially with Europe making law about the requirements which will surely following through to the UK swimming pool market soon.

There are many different swimming pool covers out there claiming to be safety covers but few actually can be classed as truely safe to prevent drowning if fallen upon.

Certikins chairman Mr Patrick Thorpe recently laid his seal of approval down on the walu safety cover as he installed on to his own 24′ x 12′ pool in his French home.

Walu safety covers are very popular in Europe being one of few to properly conform with the French NF p90-308 safety standard with its ability to comfortably hold a weight of 100kg.

Available in either a translucent or opaque version the walu safety cover also offers either solar heat gain and heat retention or protection from the sun which normally stimulates algae and pathogenic micro-organismsgrowth and therefore reducing the chemical consumption of the pool.

The walu safety cover weighs in at 1.25kg per square meter and can be rolled in and out using the geared crack handle by just one person. It rolls up onto itself therefore negating the need for a roller. A motorised version of the crack handle can be purchased as an additional extra helping you further with its use.

For more information on the walu safety cover or a quote for your pool please contact our sales team on 0800 328 4150.