Cheddar Swimming Pool

There was attendance of several hundred the opening of Cheddar’s new swimming pool, on Wednesday evening, 27^th May 1936. The pool, which adjoined Redcliff Street, was a notable addition to the famous village. Ninety feet long, with depth of 6ft. 6in. at the deep end, and changing accommodation for 300 bathers, it also features cafe, foot baths and showers. Water taken from private well was heated and constantly changed.

The pool had been built in an orchard at the foot of the Mendips, with the Gorge rising above it. The opening ceremony was performed by Mr. W. G. Burrough, of Wedmore, who was the North Somerset Coroner, a somewhat odd association.

A display of swimming and diving was given by members of the Weston-super-Mare Swimming Club, and subsequently there were events in which Cheddar swimmers participated.

On 20^th August 1940, a seven-year-old girl, Geraldine Howard, saved the life of her friend, Pauline Harris, an evacuee from London. She was awarded the Royal Humane Society’s certificate for lifesaving.

The entrance and changing rooms were reconstructed in 1970 and a shop added at a cost of £12,000.

During 1972, the pool received a £18,000 facelift consisting of the addition of a children’s paddling pool and the lengthening of the pool. The pool and paddling pool were both lined with new tiles.

By 1993, the pool needed considerable maintenance work including a new boiler and, with a new indoor pool on the cards at the towns Kings of Wessex Leisure Centre, no money would be provided for the work. The new pool was not as deep, so locals bemoaned the loss of the ability to dive, learn lifesaving, play water polo and canoe.

The site was put up for sale in May 1996, and the pool did not open that year.