Page 20 - Jigsaw August 2019

Glance at the past.............................................................................
It’s all going swimmingly Eric Franklin takes a dip into the past
In last months’ article I ended with a picture of a float at the 1967 Thrapston Feast raising money to build a swimming pool
in Thrapston. The community was very engaged with this project and used many ways to raise the money to build and run it. In 1966 George Essex from Denford wrote his early memories of living in town with the sole aim of raising money for this venture.
Before a pool was built, people swam in the river, either at The Low Shot (above) or at Islip Mill (right).
With a long history of people drowning in the river a swimming pool was seen as being a necessity. Construction began on land beside King John School on Market Road
in 1971, much of the labour being provided by volunteers. The official opening by the Chairman of Northamptonshire County Council took place on 25th March 1972. A plaque was presented on 13th June 1976 and displayed in reception to thank David Prior for his tireless efforts in raising funds.
Early photos of the pool in use are shown on the opposite page; one of the local diving club (which is still going strong) and one of
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the pool in general use.
The original poolside, as can be seen in
the pictures, was surfaced with concrete slabs whilst electric heaters were suspended from the roof. Later the poolside was tiled and a hot air heating system installed.
Between 1983 and closure on 28th
July 2004 schools swimming lessons were taught by Pat Green from Aldwincle, shown right – all children were able to swim a minimum of a width by the time their lessons finished. In 1992 Duncan Goodhew visited the pool preparatory to the first Swimathon challenge in town – a 5000 meter swim