St Leonards Bathing Pool -1933. The finest of pools
Hastings St Leonards Bathing Pool above from a private postcard collection AGJ
Hastings St Leonards Bathing Pool was one of Britains finest opened on May 27th 1933. Sir Humphry Rolleston G.C.V.O. declared the pool open in front of 5,000 spectators.
Awaiting the start of a Gala at the vast St Leonard’s Swimming Pool
Construction of St Leonard’s Pool 1933 – Hasting’s Central Library Brassey Institute B. Scott 1994 enlarge +
Hastings St Leonards Bathing Pool saw over loaded buses making their way along the promenade to join in and enjoy this momentous occasion. Sunshine added the final touch to the glorious scene of colour seen in the great bathing pool. Festooned in flags and bunting, hundreds of swimmers were awaiting the first gun to indicate the “big splash.”
The Official Party took place in the sun bathing section of the luxurious medical Baths at White Rock. Dressed in scarlet robes […]
Minehead Pool similar demise. Somerset’s “On your marks …GO”
…Mayor, Cllr. H.Burden introduced Sir Humphry, and asked him to declare the pool open. The gun was fired, 250 bathers plunged into the dazzling clear blue waters.
A thrilling moment came when Dare-Devil Leslie stood poised on the edge of a 60 ft drop.
The Opening Ceremony. Watching the High Diver. St Leonard’s Observer 3rd June 1933. Hasting’s Central Library 1994. Will expand
Railway Poster of the Swimming Pool
He flung off his cloak and launched into a perfect swallow dive. A parade of Victorian/Edwardian bathing costumes, the latest Jantzen costumes and beach suits followed. Diving and swimming exhibitions intermingled with the celebrations.
Sir Humphry was then taken on an inspection of the 330ft. by 90ft pool, which held a million gallons of water. The pool graduated in depth from 2 ft to 15 ft. under the fine International diving stage. The Bathing Pool staged many National Swimming and Diving Championships, and thus hosted many an International star.
Fashion at the Pool. Click image
Adding weight behind this, Mr T Mather, Empire Highboard Champion 1934 was the manager of the pool. New ways of diving training were introduced, including belts and trampolining. Winifred Gibson of ASA Author fame held her excercise classes on the decks of the pool. Plus fashion and beauty shows.
This is the life at St Leonard’s
This fine bathing pool lent its vastness and versatility, to eventually becoming a very popular Holiday Camp in 1960.
Water Polo at St Leonards Hastings. Click image.
In addition to the immense pleasurable activities and events, there was the serious” stuff” too!
Happy Campers at St Leonard’s
OUTCOME: Due to package holidays available, bathers dwindled. When threats of closure raised it’s ugly head, much debate and public outcry resulted. Ideas were to turn the site into a marine centre; a roofing business; holiday complex; luxury housing. None transpired.
The Derelict Pool. ‘Hi de Hi’ gone forever. Will expand
The end of an era. AGJ 2000. Will expand
St Leonard’s Swimming Pool, Hastings – the site
“Hi-de-Hi” days were over at Hastings St Leonards Bathing Pool. By 1989 the beautiful pool was razed to the ground. The rubble was ground down, and used for cement to help reconstruct the sea wall, and to build a cycle way.
I wondered over the site imagining the laughter and hearing the splashes. I wonder how many of my visitors have actually swum here?
Lost Lidos Index
I owned the Sherwood hotel opposite approx 40 years ago the swimming pool was as amazing and we had Fantastic times with our dear friends Dennis and Margaret who owned it who I assume are no longer with us absolutely amazing times
Thank you Josephine, yes, a very fine pool it was. A number of architecturally lovely pools have gone this way. Sad isn’t it? Pity they were all before internet. This would have helped with thousands knowing about their early stages of abandonment (with the press of a button), and the likelihood of campaigns mounting up.
I lived in Seaside Road near this pool as a child. My mother let me stay up to watch the weekly fireworks display from the pool & from our kitchen window. What a beautiful pool this was. Actually, have never seen another that matched this one. So sad to hear it was pulled down. From Josephine Payne, British Columbia, Canada.
I have meny happy memories of playing in swimming the pool in the summer of 1976 & getting out of the pool & Suning on the teres. Sad to see it gone, thow I remember it being cold anlike wite rok pool,which is not aiming pool any more.
Stayed at the St Leonards site in 1967 for a weeks holiday with my parents and sister , i was 12 , we had plenty of entertainment and a couple of trips , but on the last day broke my nose playing crazy cricket and spent most of the last day in hospital
August 29, 2012 @ 1:05 pm
I caught the tale end of the St-Leonards-on- Sea Bathing Pool. It was fantastic. I am a regular Lido user in London and am happy that Charlton Lido is now saved.