Letchworth, The Paddling Pool, Howard Park c.1950

Photo ref: L39010

I was playing with school friends and we all had our bikes, I picked up a puncture. One of my friends lent me his bike, we used to race around the path that surrounded the pool. I took one of the bends too sharp, crashed, the bike and I went in the water! Thankfully apart from a bit of damage to the bike which I repaired, my friend took it all in good part. I trudged off home with my ...see more

I too can recall summer days at the paddling pool, and a fair on the grass. Also I can recall the men of the Letchworth Rotary pulling the Kon-Tiki around the pool. I can also remember the fountain. It was always slippery and greasy. It has now been removed...but I hope to a museum as it was a true piece of Letchworth heritage. At the bottom of Leys Avenue there was a shop across the ...see more

I lived in Birds Hill (the start of Works Road) just opposite Howard Park. The paddling pool was always emptied at the end of summer but just enough water remained in to make for great slides during winter when the water froze.

Seeing the fountain in this picture brings back childhood memories from the 1950/60s of sailing boats up and down the paddling pool at weekends or when your parents took you down on a sunny afternoon. Summer fetes and funfair on the grass area between the paddling pool and Norton Way South, last but not least playing in the small wood behind the paddling pool before the Council cut it down and spoilt it!