The first mention of the Club is to be found in copies of Committee Meeting Minutes to be
found in Nuneaton Library. Dated 22nd June, 1925, it states that it was very cold for outdoor
swimming. They enrolled 14 Junior and 12 Senior members. It was decided to hold their first
annual gala on 25th July, 1925. There is no more mention of the Club until it was reformed
on 14th July, 1950. At that time there were 90 new members, including 55 juniors. The
President at that time was Mayor Alderman Chamberlain. However, some interesting details
appear about the first swimming pool in Nuneaton. This opened to the public for the first time
on 3rd July, 1888. A Gentleman, name unknown, decided that Nuneaton was large enough
to have its own pool. On 24th February, 1888, the following advertisement appeared in the
Nuneaton Chronicle.
"The Advertiser intends to build privately a public swimming baths. Probable number of
subscribers 100. Subscriptions, Yearly Ten Shillings, Daily 6d. Size of pool 75ft. x 25ft. To
be tiled with white glazed tiles, and hold approx. 50/55,000 gallons of water. In answer to
the many queries, it may be stated here and now, that the River Water will not be used."
On 3rd July, 1888, the pool was opened to the public. It is described as being "An old
Malting-Place situated at the rear of an old fashioned licenced house." The hot water
supplied for the pool was from the Hat factory. The pool was in fact in Upper Abbey Street,
and was demolished in 1962. Following this there was of course the old St.Mary's Road
pool. Over the years, and in more comfortable surroundings, Nuneaton & Bedworth
Swimming Club has grown to a membership of over 400. |