Work on a new pool for Newport started in 1933 and provided work for 15 unemployed men of the area. By July 1934, it was announced that the Mayors Work Fund had been depleted so it was necessary to put the project out to tender in order that it could continue. It was also reported that the new mayor, Alderman A E Harvey, was not looking forward to the new pool as he had been told that he would have to open the facility by diving in.
At the end of 1935, a loan of £2,140 had been sanctioned so works could proceed. More trouble ensued as the contractor, Mr F Stroh, announced in December 1935, that he could not complete the work for the tendered price and wanted more money.
One of the Councillors objected to the increased cost on the basis that “…we shan’t know where we are or why are here at all if we go on like this.”
Alderman Harvey, however, overruled this, pronouncing that he wasn’t in favour of the pool at the start but now they had started, they might as well finish it. How much of his initial reticence was due to having to dive into the pool is unclear and his support now might be seen as him just wanting to get the whole diving trauma over and done with! Given that he was 72, and not a renowned swimmer, maybe we can understand his position.
The pool finally opened on 25th June 1936 but by this time Alderman Harvey was no longer the mayor so never had to take the plunge of doom. Neither did the new mayor. Whilst he did open the pool, following the unfurling of the flag to the strains of the National Anthem, Mr. J. C. P. Besford, holder of the national and international back-stroke championships, took the first plunge into the pool and swam its length.
In August 1956, a Swedish visitor, Per Lindstrom, after much persuasion, reluctantly took part in the 100 yards open freestyle race and set a new pool record for completing the three lengths in 60 seconds.
Moves to close the pool were taking place by 1981 and a local petition was organised to object. We could not find an exact date for closure but by 1991 the pool had gone and was replaced with council offices.
| Name | Seaclose Bathing Pool Seaclose Recreation Ground, Fairlee Road, Newport Isle of Wight, Hampshire, PO30 2QS, England |
| Coordinates | 50°42’24.8″N 1°17’22.8″W |
| Built / opened | 25th June 1936 by the mayor, Councillor Capt. J S Brown |
| Cost | £6,044 including approach road |
| Dimensions | 100′ x 35′ |
| Capacity | |
| Water type | Filtered and chlorinated fresh water |
| Depth(s) | 3′ to 8′ |
| Diving | |
| Changing facilities | 28 dresing cubicles. Brick clothing store with single use clothing bags |
| Second pool | Childrens pool 30′ x 15′, depth 1′ 6″ to 2′ 6″ |
| Spectator seating | Seating under cover on both long sides |
| Designer | Contractor for the scheme Mr. F. Stroh, of Newport. |
| Date closed | |
| Status | Demolished |
| On site now | Car park for the Newport Registry Office |
| Last updated | 10th December 2025 |
Baths and Bath Engineering, September 1936
Newport (I.o.W.) Bathing Pool
The new bathing pool on the Seaclose Recreation Ground, Newport (1.o.W.), is situated on high land overlooking the River Medinn.
Work on the pool was first commenced for the corporation in December 1933, and continued until July 1934, when the fund (£1,377) provided for the scheme became exhausted and work ceased.
ln 1935 the recreation ground committee, under the chairmanship of Coun. F. Chiverton, instructed the borough surveyor, Mr. G. A. M. Gentry. A.M.Inst.C.E., to prepare plans and to obtain tenders for the completion of the bathing pool. approach road und a car park.
Sanction for a loan for the work was obtained from the Ministry of Health after a public inquiry, held in May 1935, and tenders were accepted by the corporation.
Opened in June last, the bathing pool, car park, and road cost approximately £6,044. The pool is 100 ft. long by 35 ft. wide, and the depthvaries from 3 ft. at the entrance end to 8 ft. opposite the diving stage. The pool is of reinforced concrete; the sides being finished with special white cement and the floor of green cement. To one side, for children, is a small pool which is 30 ft. long by 15 ft. wide. the depth of water varying from 1 ft. 6 in. to 2 ft. 6 in.
Purification Plant
The water in the pools is continuously filtered, sterilised and aerated. The purification plant supplied by Messrs. Bell Bros. (Manchester, 1927, Ltd.), provides for purification through a vertical air scoured type filter of 8 ft. 3 in. diameter; and sterilisation by means of the application of a measured quantity of chlorine. The circulated water enters the pool at the shallow end from three points. The water is supplied from the Carisbrooke Waterworks.
General
The buildings around the pool include offices, dressing accommodation, shelters, etc.
The entrance to the pool opens into a vestibule on the left of which is the pay office and on the right an anteroom or shop. At the extreme ends of the building are the conveniences for both sexes. The main pool cascade is situated directly in front of the vestibule.
Space for spectators with fixed seats under cover is provided on both sides of the bathing pool at the farther end of which are the dressing cubicles, 14 in number, on each side. Beyond these are the footbaths and showers for use before entering the pools.
At the far end of the main pool and facing the entrance is the brick-built clothing store, finished in white cement. Here bathers clothes are deposited in special bags, which are used once only; numbered wrist bands are provided for checking.
The entrance buildings are partly red-faced bricks and partly rendered with white roughcast, the roof being covered with Broseley tiles. The covered shelters for spectators and the dressing cubicles are finished in yellow and sea green. The general contractor for the scheme was Mr. F. Stroh, of Newport.
The town clerk of the borough of Newport is Mr. T. Ross Pratt, to whom we are indebted for the loan of the illustrations accompanying this description.
