The boss Millie Morris and herself worked opposite each other. Millie had a strong voice when inundated with children during the free periods. Win Somner came in to help with the cleaning. It was rare to get customers in early during the morning so this gave time to discuss or report on visits from the council. There was no telephone. During the daytime, schoolchildren came along, their teachers being in charge.
Pauline’s duties included throwing a galvanised pail with a length of rope tied to the handle into the water, which was a foot lower than the bath side, and then hauling it up full. There was a knack to this heavy duty. It then had to be forcefully thrown into each changing room, then brushed out into the drain. “At intervals we had to scrub the tiles around the water surface which accumulated a greasy scum. Win did the toilets, polished all the brasses, and whitened the floor of the office with hearthstone!”
Pauline had to take the money and issue the tickets, or rent out the towels and costumes. She had to receive council visitors, take the water temperature and keep a temperature chart. It could be as low as 54 degrees. Leaves were fished out, and other rubbish that blew in through the open roof. A young American boy was sent to the pool once a week to wind up the clock.
The staff room had a gas ring on which to make breakfast and a cup of tea.
During school hours, Miss Francis, clad in blouse and skirt, sometimes with jacket taught the local school children. She started with her unique land drill by calling out commands for the body positions of the breaststroke.
One lady aged 64 came to swim and felt very proud. Pauline never saw a baby being taught.
“Behaviour was good on the whole, there was no answering back, no graffiti on the walls, but there was the small amount of chewing gum to be scraped off walls. Boys were allowed to come along for Saturday family afternoons.”
Pauline loved the job but left to attend college. Later, Pauline became a proficient swimming teacher around the pools in Reading. When married she lived in Earleigh Road, and she and her husband dug out their own little swimming pool in which her three children learned to swim. Her husband was a weight lifter so they compromised. He learned about swimming and Pauline learned about weightlifting! They both participated in the Swimming programmes for the Youth Group, sharing their skills of swimming, lifesaving and survival. Some people may remember her from school/college days as Pauline Lucas.
I thank Pauline, now an octogenarian, for not just allowing me into her home, but allowing me to share her memories of her many “hot pursuits!” and achievements.
