Martens Grove was acquired by the Crayford Urban District Council in 1933, and an ornamental pool lying in the valley of considerable natural beauty was adapted and used for bathing during the years 1933-36. This proved to be so popular, that the Council, recognising the public demand for improved swimming facilities, prepared the present scheme, which was submitted to the Minister for Health for sanction to raise the necessary load, in December, 1937. After a Public Inquiry in February, 1938, the proposals were approved and in June the Council accepted the tenders of Cooper Estates Limited of Wilmington for the reconstruction of the Swimming Pool amounting to £7,205, and of the Paterson Engineering Company Limited, of London, for the purification plant amounting to £2,398. Work was commenced at the end of August, 1938. A Grant of £2,000 has been made by the National Fitness Council for England and Wales towards the costs of the scheme.
| Name | Martens Grove Swimming Pool |
| Built | August 1938 to 1939 |
| Opened | 20th May 1939 |
| Cost | Pool £7,205 Purification plant £2,387 |
| Dimensions | 100 feet x 35 feet |
| Capacity | |
| Depth | 3 feet to 10 feet |
| Diving | Reinforced concrete diving stage – 1 x fixed board at 4 metres high, 2 x fixed boards at 2 metres high. Two x 1 metre boards, one spring and one fixed |
| Second pool | Childrens pool – 40 feet x 35 feet, 2 ft to 3 feet deep Paddling pool – 21 feet x 35 feet, 1 ft 6 inches deep |
| Designer | F A Turner |
| Address | Martens Recreation Ground, Martens Avenue, Bexleyheath, DA7 6BD |
| Date closed | 1986 |
| Status | Demolished 1989 and grassed over |
| Notes | Original convered ornamental lake closed in 1937 to be upgraded Mass concrete with white cement screed |
| Links | Martens Grove Lido by The Bygone Year (YouTube) Martens Grove Swimming Pool Since 1930… | Facebook |
| Last updated | 14th May 2025 |
Urban District of Crayford
Martens Grove Swimming Pool
Barnehurst
Souvenir Brochure
Saturday, 20th May 1939
Municipal Buildings, Crayford LEONARD BURSLEM, Clerk of the Council
Order of Proceedings
| 1. | 2.40p.m. | Guests and Officials will assemble in the reserved enclosure on the south side, together with the Members of the Council and Officials. Councillor G. V. Sayer, J.P. (Chairman of the Council) will take the Chair. |
| 2. | 2.45 p.m. | The Chairman of the Council will open, the proceedings, introduce Sir E. Henry Pelham, KL.C.B. Chairman of the Grants Committee, National Fitness Council for England and Wales, and invite him to declare the Pool open. |
| 3. | 3. p.m. | Sir E. Henry Pelham, K.C.B., will address the gathering and declare the Pool open. (Simultaneous dive by Competitors). |
| 4. | 3.10 p.m. | The Chairman of the Council will ask Mrs. Jennie Adamson, M.P., to address the gathering. |
| 5. | 3.20 p.m. | Councillor E.B. Clark (Chaiman of the Open Spaces and Baths Committee) will tender to Sir E. Henry Pelham K.C.B., the Council’s thanks, and present him with a Souvenir. |
| 6. | 3.25 p.m. | Announcements by Councillor F. H. Waters (Vice-Chairman of the Crayford Council). |
| 7. | 3.30 p.m. | Commencement of Aquatic Sports. |
Aquatic Entertainment
Under A.S.A. Laws by permit of the Southern Counties A.S.A.
Master of Ceremonies: E. W. Keighley (President, Kent County A.S.A.)
| Swimming Officials : | |
| Mrs. E. W. KEIGHLEY | Woolwich & District, A. S. A. |
| H. T WOODWARD | Kent County, A. S. A. |
| J. RITCHIE | Kent County, A. S. A. |
| S. HOLMES | Woolwich & District, A. S. A. |
| Event 1. | Girls’ One Length Race (Local Schools) |
| Event 2. | Boys’ One Length Race (Local Schools) |
| Event 3. | Invitation Ladies’ Club Medley Team Race |
| (Two lengths back, two lengths breast two lengths free style) 1. Lamborbey Swimming Club 2. Ladywell Swimming Club 3. Greenwich swimming Club 4. Beckenham swimming Club 5. Lewisham Swimming Club | |
| Event 4. | Exhibition of Fancy Swimming by |
| F. G. M. MILTON, Esq. and | Mrs. F. G. M. MILTON |
| Olympic Games, 1932, 1936 Empire Games, 1930, 1934 European Games, 1938 International Water Polo Players etc. | Canadian Champion Record-holder (100 yards to 1 mile) Olympic Games, 1932, 1934 Empire Games, 1930, 1934 etc. |
| Event 5. | Invitation Men’s Club Team Race |
| (Four Men, each to swim two lengths) 1. Greenwich Swimming Club 2. Dartford swimming Club 3. Woolwich Boro’ Council Swimming Club 4. Lamorby Swimming Club 5. A.P.C.M. (Northfleet) Swimming Club | |
| Event 6. | Exhibition of Ornamental swimming and Floating |
| (Ladywell swimming Club) By arrangement with Miss E. M. Walliss, Hon, Secretary | |
| Event 7. | Display of Diving by members of te Highgate Diving Club |
| By arrangement with F.S.Hodges, Esq., Hon. Secretary Members: F.G. Hodges – Springboard Diving Champion of Gt. Britain, 1936-37-38, Olympic Games 1936, European Games, 1938 C. Johnson – European Games, 1938 J. Rasch – Highboard Diving Champion, Highgate Diving Club P. Ward – Junior Highboard Champion, Highgate Diving Club R. Redfern – Junior Springboard Champion, Highgate Diving Club W. Ollenbittle R. Fitzjohn | |
| Event 8. | Water Polo Match |
| GREENWICH SWIMMING CLUB | versus | WOOLWICH BORO’ SWIMMING CLUB |
| C. Eastwick | Goal | S. Holmes |
| J. Floyd | Left Back | J. Cuffley |
| W. Harrison | Right Back | L. Keeffee |
| A. Baldwin | Centre Half | C. Beaven |
| G. Davis | Left Wing | K. Sellick |
| F. Gomer | Centre | E. Terry |
| K. McKenzie | Right Wing | T. Lawson |
Programme arranged for Crayford Urban District Council by E. W. Keighley (Kent County A.S.A.)
Southern Counties Permit, No. 5. 9/5/1939.
Approximately 5.15 p.m. Prizes for Schools’ Races, Invitation Team Races and Water Polo will be presented by MISS PELHAM
Martens Grove Swimming Pool
Martens Grove was acquired by the Crayford Urban District Council in 1933, and an ornamental pool lying in the valley of considerable natural beauty was adapted and used for bathing during the years 1933-36. This proved to be so popular, that the Council, recognising the public demand for improved swimming facilities, prepared the present scheme, which was submitted to the Minister for Health for sanction to raise the necessary load, in December, 1937. After a Public Inquiry in February, 1938, the proposals were approved and in June the Council accepted the tenders of Cooper Estates Limited of Wilmington for the reconstruction of the Swimming Pool amounting to £7,205, and of the Paterson Engineering Company Limited, of London, for the purification plant amounting to £2,398. Work was commenced at the end of August, 1938. A Grant of £2,000 has been made by the National Fitness Council for England and Wales towards the costs of the scheme.
The Pools
The main pool is 100 feet long by 35 feet wide, with a maximum depth of 10 feet in the diving pit diminishing to 3 feet at the shallow end. The childrens’ pool, which adjoins the main pool at its shallow end, is 40 feet by 35 feet with a depth varying from 3 feet to 1 foot. A cascade is constructed in the middle of this pool. A paddling pool 35 feet by 21 feet by 1 foot 6 inches deep, is adjacent to the childrens’ pool and is open free of cost. The pools are constructed of mass concrete walls, and reinforced concrete floors finished with a white cement screeding. Access to the main and childrens’ pool is possible only through foot baths.
The reinforced concrete diving stage incorporates one fixed board at four metres high and two fixed boards at two metres high. There are also two one metre boards, one spring and one fixed and two chutes. Commodious sun-bathing terraces are on the north side of the pool in a very sheltered position.
The Heating and Purification Plant
The plan, incorporating Van Der Made ozone sterilising equipment, is capable of dealing with the contents of the pool, 168,000 gallons in 5 hours. From the outlet gratings, the water flows through a strainer for the removal of coarse suspended matter, and then passes through three 8 ft. 6 in. diameter vertical pressure filters where the finest particles are removed. The filtered water is heated by two gas fired boilers, having capacities of 750,000 B.T.U’s. per hour and 288,000 B.T.U’s. per hour respectively, and is finally sterilised with ozone in a specially constructed reinforced concrete tower. The ozone is produced electrically, a voltage of 4,250 being necessary for the purpose. An efficient distribution of the ozonised water is obtained by delivering the water through thirteen inlets through the walls at the shallow end and sides of the bath. A connection from the delivery main feeds the cascade. The circulating pumps are driven by 6 H.P. and 3 ½ H.P. electric motors.
Sterilisation by means of ozone is the most modern method, and is a comparatively new departure as far as this country is concerned. It ensures a clear, sparkling and attractive water of the highest organic and bacteriological purity, without any objectionable taste or smell. This, with a temperature of 70 deg. F., which will be maintained in the pool water, will give absolutely safe and comfortable bathing.
I’m of the generation who loved these pools and parks we had so much freedom then.