Local History: Swimming

16 preferred Whitney's version to her own. In 2006 The Zutons had a hit with Valerie. A few years later Amy Winehouse took the song to a new level. Finally, with some songs I like both the original and cover just as much. In 1983 Tears For Fears had a big hit with Mad World. American Singer Gary Jules then slowed it right down for the film Donnie Darko. The song took the Number One spot in Christmas 2003.

MusicMan

I was taught to swim at Hanley Baths in the 1960s. We were ferried every week to the venue on the school bus.

Non-swimmers would be given a hand held float made from polystyrene. Swimming with two hands on the float wasn't difficult and so the instructors would encourage us to take one hand off before eventually moving on to the long pole. The teachers would walk poolside with its end in the water for us to grab. Meanwhile the potential swimmer would frantically splash around in doggy paddle fashion. The system did work and most of us went on to acquire the coveted length certificate. The open air pool at Trentham Gardens was built in the 1920s in the Art Deco style and had a seating capacity for one thousand people. Sadly the pool closed in the mid-1970s. I remember the pool being

very large though as an unheated pool it was incredibly cold. Like many locals of a certain age a day out at Trentham would always include a swim. You could also take a walk by the lake side woods but most used the excellent miniature railway. Fenton Manor is the place for

serious swimmers as well as hosting national competitions and events there is also a teaching pool. For fun swimming and flumes the city is lucky to have Dimensions in Burslem and Waterworld at Festival Park. In Newcastle, Jubilee 2 pool is very popular. Back in the 1990s I had a friend, Dulcie,

who worked there as a swimming instructor. My middle son, Rob was struggling to swim but Dulcie had the patience to teach him. She also told me an interesting story. Several times a year the pool would be hired out to a local naturist club but because some of the large windows

were in view of the public, blinds were installed to preserve their modesty.

Trentham

Jubilee 2