The Mayor slid down the chute and duly opened the pool in July 1921!
The development of the” Denes” took place once the new sea wall had been built, to protect the area from the elements. The open air pool was unheated. It originally had tents for changing until cubicles were provided. The pool was fed by sea water that was pumped through a pipe that was attached to a groyne in the beach, that led under the new wall to the pool. The pool was a good size, being 50 yards by 33 yards with a basin cut out to 6 feet deep under the boards. Local school children were marched down for their weekly classes for swimming and diving lessons. School and scout galas were held and immensely enjoyed. It was the time to show all that they had learned during the season. The spectators enjoyed sitting alongside the pool in deck chairs, enjoying the sun and sea breezes.
OUTCOME:
In 1940 the pool was used for training by H.M.S. Europa. First to go had been the cubicles. In 19 43 the groyne was washed away by heavy seas.
This carried the inlet pipe to the pool.The pool was abandoned and following the war, the pool was filled in and eventually became a caravan site.
Adjacent to the pool site there had once been allotments, that had been developed into a cricket pitch and tennis courts. In all it had been a wonderful recreation area.
