National Somerset Swimming Pool – Minehead -1936
National Championship Pool Minehead Bathing Pool above – private postcard collection AGJ
National Championship Pool
2000 people attended the opening of their magnificent bathing pool in June 1936. which would, in future, have National recognition.
Minehead National Swimming Pool promotional poster. Minehead Library. David Bromwich.Will enlarge +
Despite poor weather conditions and forecasts, the crowds were not deterred, and they were rewarded by a sudden weather change and a spectacular Gala. Sir Robert Horne Chairman of the Great Western Rail Company, (past Chancellor of the Exchequer 1921-22 and 1st Viscount Horne of Slamannan 1937 – title now extinct) paid tribute to “An Adventurous Spirit.” Other dignitaries were at the opening and were delighted with the aquatic entertainment.
Sir Robert Horne and Mrs Luttrell. West Somerset Free Press 1936 Taunton Archives Microfilm David Bromwich 1994. Will enlarge+
Click on Pathe Clips. National Swimming Championships
International matches and National Swimming /Diving Champions were decided in this beautiful pool. On the National scene Western Counties High Diving Champion 14 years old Jane Selby of the Bath Dolphins and Coate Swimming Club opened the programme by beautiful swallow diving from the top board 33 feet high, into the 15 ft.depth of shimmering crystal clear water.
The future National and renouned 165ft by 60ft pool saw Cheltenham thrashing out an exciting water polo match with Somerset to eventually win 2-1[…]
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A Summers Day . Will enlarge +
The only flaw in the perfection of past holidays in Minehead was bathing depending upon the tides. This was remedied by this magnificent national open air pool on the sea front.
Water was pumped from the sea, and every day 50,000 gallons of filtered, purified sparkling sea water was pumped into the pool EVERY HOUR. There was a gas decontamination centre behind the pool building.
Photocopy from Local Study Archives, sent by Mrs Joan Astell from whom I derived much information 1994 Will enlarge +
There were many aquatic exhibitions. These included Britain’s former National 3 Metre Champion Betty Slade. Minehead’s top exhibition diver was Helen Orr.
The nationally known sea water pool was situated in ideal surroundings on the sea front.
Patrons enjoyed powerfully floodlit bathing – a superb restaurant run by William Hancock and Co. Caterers and sun bathing and eating on the terraces.
There were regular swimming, diving and aquatic exhibitions.
The pool was equipped with top International and National diving facilities. In addition to teaching many children to swim and dive, many school galas and inter-club galas were held here. Many regional and national galas were hosted by Minehead
Brave Boy jumpimg from the 10M platform
Thank you Jalopy
As escapism, hours and hours were spent basking in the sunshine, enjoying the fruits of the restaurant and relaxing from the days toils leaving problems back home. It was a sad day when the pool eventually closed.
OUTCOME: This fine national pool became derelict in the late 80’s, succombing to the dwindling of bathers. There were many guaranteed cheap sunshine holidays abroad.
The concrete had also begun to disintegrate. Butlins site just along the road was interested in taking it over. They were thinking of extending their enterprise towards the town. But the land was bought by another Company .
Will enlarge +
Minehead Car Park back in late 80s…and once was. A famous championship pool holding national events in water polo, swimming and aquashows
The site was cleared and was used as a car park, until this area turned into luxury apartments.
I wonder if the residents here know they are living on the site of a once famous bathing pool?
Minehead Bathing Pool Site. Geo reference 1949-69 map. Will expand to full view ++
Good Morning,
I share a love of lidos. Some years ago I found some photographs in a boot sale of Jane Selby who at the age of 14 years helped open the Minehead Swimming Pool. She performed a swallow dive and had won many diving championships.
I have tried to research Jane and wondered if there might be any information regarding her.
I would be grateful for any information.
Kind Regards, Joy Moreton.
Anne: Can anyone help Joy?
I would love that thank you Angela. Anne
I will try and send you a photo of me aged 7 winning a beauty contest at Minehead Lido before moving to Hastings where there was also a lido.
I personally saw this once fine pool in a derelict state. It affected me quite badly all the way back home. This was when I decided to research many more “Lost Lidos” You can say it was the Minehead Bathing Pool that started me off.
Marvellous! Thank you. Anne
It did seem a long way up! I have sent you an email which should provide you with the pictures. jalopy
Thank you jalopy. Did you also get the feeling of landing in the field opposite when you jumped? Any diverdoing running take offs had this feeling!. I’d love to receive a copy of your picture to place on the site – however I do respect you may not want to do this. Family pics are very personal. Anne
Many thanks for posting this. I came here as a child from the late 70s to early 80s and it seemed vast. I remember taking a while to pluck up the courage to jump off the top. My mother took a picture of me in mid-flight which I have showed my 12 year old daughter as I still visit Minehead occasionally.
She asked me what happened to the Lido so google brought me here…
I know what you mean John. I felt as if I would land in the spectators laps diving from the 3m springboard opposite in Coventry Baths!
Many of the Lido’s on your site bring back memories, The Minehead pool had the 10m across the width and as you run towards the end it appears you will land in the field opposite.
You are absolutely correct. Thank you Joan
Minehead Lido Site is now a new village – apartments,housing,landscapingetc. its successor Aquasplash is just behind it but struggling to keep in business. I have only been there once but didn’t find curved pools and slides and things much to my taste. May I take you up on one historic thing. I thought Helen Orr was was the top exhibition diver, not Jane Orr. Perhaps there were two? Fascinating stuff! Surbiton….sent to Surbiton!
Letterpost 01/03/04