Valence Swimming Pool

A Memory of Dagenham.

I loved Valence swimming pool, I used to have swimming lessons there with Grafton junior school and still remember how cold that water was first thing in the mornings. My father used to buy me a season ticket which cost 7shillings & 6pence  (37p) which allowed me to go swimming when ever I wanted. I was very sad when they closed it, the then new Dagenham swimming pool was never the same. A few years ago I took my dog for a walk over Valence Park and went to where the pool used to be and was amazed at how small it must have been. I would be interested to know when the pool first opened.