The Cold Stone Floors...And Unheated Pool!

A Memory of Newark-on-Trent.

I loved swimming at Newark Swimming Pool..great memories of the smell of the water gushing from the fountain..and having a hot mug of Bovril to warm us up after our time in the unheated pool, for which we paid one shilling. The changing rooms, dark and cold, with stone floors, did not put us off..hardy little kids in those days....I also had to attend with our class of Mount School pupils for our regular weekly swimming lessons, which were carried out in all weathers, and we got pushed in by the Teacher (Mr Padgett I recall) if we took too long standing in our costume with our toe dipped in the water, shivering at the thought.. we had to walk from Mount School, with our costume wrapped in a towel. I also remember being chosen to swim for my school and came first in the backstroke, which we held here against other schools. Mr Gold our Headmaster presented me with my school colours the next day in the Morning Assembly. I was very proud. Great times and a shame it had to be closed. My best friends Granddad, was always the first to dive into the pool when it re opened after the winter. He got his picture in the Newark Advertiser each year...wish I could remember his name. He was the caretaker at the Town Hall, and my best friend was June Robinson...she also lived with her Grand parents in the house next to the Town Hall. Elysian days...! Anyone else with any memories or can help me with any names?