Bedford, Newnham Outdoor Pool c.1960
Photo ref: B51081
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Photo ref: B51081
Photo of Bedford, Newnham Outdoor Pool c.1960

More about this scene

A very few years after this photograph was taken, the popular Newnham Pool was closed and its place in the leisure activity role taken by a modern facility dedicated to the philanthropy of the Robinson family. The Robinsons were major employers in the town, owing the success of their business activities to the burgeoning TV rental market of the post-war years. Newnham Pool was a good amenity in its day, but its use was severely restricted by the climate, and the decision was taken to build an indoor pool as soon as funds became available.

An extract from Bedfordshire Living Memories.

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Bedfordshire Living Memories

Bedfordshire Living Memories

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Memories of Bedford, Newnham Outdoor Pool c1960

For many years now, we've been inviting visitors to our website to add their own memories to share their experiences of life as it was, prompted by the photographs in our archive. These memories are of Bedford, Newnham Outdoor Pool c.1960

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Born and bred in Bedford (1945) so many fond memories... The Granada cinema...I played at that venue many times with my band back in the 60's... I was born & lived in Cardington Road at the time and the fields and river were our main "playground" and seat of learning. Newnham swimming pool was our main (leisure) activity where many of us learnt to swim as a school activity, besides learning in the nearby river...!
I am now in the process of establishing Samuel and Florence DAYS, then address with the Records Office at Bedfordshire County Council. Apparently Sandy Lane and Cardington Lane were mentioned many years ago as well as the 'Sandy' area. Was there ever ?......a small isolation Hospital (wooden Barrack Type Huts) in and or in the vicinity of Sandy Lane or Sandy. I believe however that the ...see more
HAPPY CHILDHOOD MEMORIES. In the summer of 1952 (I was 7 years old) my grandmother took me on a 'Farm Holiday' in Bedford to stay with friends. At this time I lived as a child in 'industrial Newcastle upon Tyne'. We alighted from a steam train at a small station in Bedford, I think it had crossing gates, where I met 'Uncle Sam'. He arrived in a red coloured lorry with 'pig bins' on the back (he used to ...see more