County Gazette readers share memories of St James Pool in Taunton

The popular learner pool built in 1928 helps over 1,600 children a week learn to leave their armbands behind.

But on Sunday, July 10, the doors to the pool will close forever ahead of a new state-of-the-art pool opening at Blackbrook Gym later this month and ahead of the major redevelopment of Coal Orchard, which will see the building demolished.

The pool started life out as public baths to be a safe replacement to swimming at French Weir and was opened in the third week of July, 1929, costing £11,000.

The idea of public baths in Taunton were first floated back in the early 1900s, but it wasn’t until the early 1920s that plans were finally approved.

Taunton Deane Council had purchased the land where St James Street Pool now proudly stands in 1914, for £3,000.

And finally, some 14 years later, building of the pools commenced.

There was a grand opening during the third week of July in 1929, attended by all of the great and good in Taunton.

Councillor W.E Maynard, Mr Arthur Allen of the swimming club, and John and Richard Bailey - the sons of the town clerk - were given the privilege of the first dip.

The pool was used and loved by all but for many years now it has only been used for swimming lessons and private functions.

So this week members of the public were invited to enjoy one last dip in the pool to relive their own fond memories.

Here's some memories we've had this week: 

Natalie Tarr 

The 24-year-old primary school teacher at Bishop Henderson School said: “I used to go swimming there as part of my school lessons while I was in key stage 2 at Trinity Primary School.

“I hated it at first, and I wasn’t a very confident swimmer, but by the time I got to year 6, I started to enjoy it.

“I think it is sad the pool is closing, I know even today a lot of my pupils go there for lessons; the pool has been there for such a long time.”

David Godber 

David, 47, grew up in Taunton and now lives in London.

The former St George’s School pupil remembers swimming in his pyjamas at the pool.

He said: “I learnt to swim at the baths back in the late 70s and 80s; my mother, Christine, often took me there.

“I’ll always remember diving for bricks swimming lengths underwater, swimming in pyjamas and treading water for long periods – all with my parents viewing from the imposing balcony.”

Adrian Pastorello

Adrian recalls his first lesson in the pool during the early 60s.

He said: “I seem to have been the only one in the entire pool that day, apart from my mother and the lifeguard.

“He simply tied a rope around my waist, dropped me into the pool and pulled me along.

“I continued happily to attend the pool during the ad-ventures of my school days in Taunton and I can swim like a fish.

“Wonderful, meaningful memories.”

Robert Hawkins from Taunton expressed his sadness at the pool closing.

He said: “I was taught in the pool between 1977 and 1980 during my time at Wellsprings Primary School.

“We used to get picked up and dropped off by the council’s yellow bus, driven by a lovely old chap called Eric.

“My coveted badge was stitched to my swimming trunks.

“Very fond memories for me as both my children were also taught there, a sad day indeed.”

Our final memory comes all the way from Canada, from former Taunton resident Bill Bale, who says he remembers when the pool first opened.

He said: “Before that we went swimming in French Weir, where it was free, until the local authorities decided it was too dangerous and tore down the changing room there.

“After that we went to the baths, as we called it, when the facility was brand new and where we had to pay.

“Many people went to the baths for their tub baths, where if I remember rightly, you could get a steaming hot bath with soap and towel supplied for a few pence pre-war, and for a shilling in 1946.”

• There is still time to enjoy a splash. There will be final public sessions at the pool tomorrow (Friday) from 2.30pm-4pm and 5pm-8pm.
• Don't forget to send us your memories and snaps of your final splash - email danielle.morris@countygazette.co.uk