Copyright AGJ and Contributors 2004/08. Updated 30/3/2008
Seaham Plays Host to Britain's Future Diving Champions
Dawdon Colliery was an amphitheatre set in the cold winds of the North East. A sun trapped basin from which all bright new diving champions emerged.
Dawdon Colliery
Opened 1945 onwards
Seaham
As well as being a very famous diving centre, and hosting International diving events, it was the home to Dawdon Swimming Club.Many young children can boast of learning to swim in this unique distinguished pool. The pool was quite black and divers never wanted to go to “the bottom” for fear of meeting something unknown!
They needn’t have worried. During a further visit at the time of demolition it turned out to be a smooth concrete bottom!
The Miners and their wives hosted the divers, during the weeks training. It was very comfortable in the cosiness of the small cottages. The divers were provided with wonderful food and were treated as if they were members of the miners families.
One miner in the street possessed a television, and the divers crowded into the front parlour to watch Brian Phelps on “Sportsview” with Peter Dimmock. The filming having taken place early during the week. Brian was in the front row!
OUTCOME:
The colliery was closed down, and sadly the buildings and pool were included. The Miners cottages and buildings are demolished, and returned eventually to pasture land.
(Update - Retail Units)
The Amateur Swimming Association Diving Training Squad 1957
Same diver 32 years later! down “memory lane.” Pool at the point of demolition.
Some of the surrounding colliery buildings can be seen, beyond which was the cold North Sea!
Young lady Midland diver, Anne Stokes tuck diving from the 10M
Some well known names of the Dawdon Days (over)
Colliery Pool Closure comes to the end of an Era
As well as hard work it provided fun, games and... trips down the coalmines!
Dawdon Colliery was filled with the warm water used to cool the colliery air compressors, pumping it directly into the pool.
