THE news within a few days of each other of multiple deaths as people enjoyed our late summer coastline and of an earthquake in central Italy served as a reminder that Mother Nature may be beautiful but can be far from benign.

Fortunately, earthquakes do not feature on the list of hazards in Ludlow and south Shropshire or across Tenbury and the Teme Valley.

But there are other hazards and as we move into autumn with winter on the horizon it is worth reminding ourselves that there are dangers in the remote hills and our rivers and open water.

Keeping children safe has to be a priority and therefore having places like leisure centres, including the threatened SpArC in Bishops Castle, is essential as it is vital that young people should learn to swim – or is it?

We need to be careful because with some aspect of safety our old friend the ‘law of unintended consequences’ comes into play.

The issue remains important at this time of year because water temperature lags behind the seasons and open water is usually at its warmest and most temping in late summer and early autumn.

Some years ago, a senior manager at a leading national safety organisation told me that if I wanted to protect my then young children from the risk of drowning I might be best to stop their swimming lessons!

This initially ‘shocking’ suggestion was off the record as it was not official policy, but his argument was that non-swimmers very rarely drown because they are frightened of water and keep away from it.

In fact, he told me that the people most likely to drown are those that consider themselves relatively strong swimmers who overrate their abilities and underrate the dangers, too often fuelled by alcohol.

All too often, it is young men who take a dip to cool off on a hot day in a reservoir, lake or river.

Open water is much more dangerous than a pool and not just because there is unlikely to be a life guard keeping an eye out.

There may well be currents, often hidden, or suction in the case of a reservoir but there will always be cold. Even at its warmest, open water is much colder than that in a pool and this can quickly fatigue and weaken even people who are relatively fit and healthy. Fatigue does not just reduce physical capabilities but also causes mental impairment and poor judgement.

As for hill walking, it is not the sedentary that are most likely to find themselves in danger but the more ambitious who over estimate their own abilities, are poorly equipped or do not appreciate how quickly conditions can change.

Back to the pool, the idea that not learning to swim can make people safer may at first hearing seem bizarre and it is certainly counter intuitive but there is some logic.

However, swimming is a great sport, an excellent way to get and keep fit as well as a good social activity.

But it is best done in the safety of a pool or lido which is why places like SpArc in Bishop's Castle or swimming pools and leisure centres in places like Ludlow, Tenbury and Church Stretton are so important.