Back to Oliver's www.lidos.org.uk entry on Jesus Green Pool
As reported in the Cambridge Chronicle and University Journal, 5 September 1923
Quite fifteen hundred people lined the banks of the new baths at Chesterton on Thursday to witness the formal opening by the Mayor, and a short programme of aquatic sports, arranged by the Cambridge Amateur Swimming Club, followed by an instructive life-saving demonstration. The Borough Council was well represented, the company including Alderman P. H. Young, R. Starr, Dr. J. H. C. Dalton and W. L. Raynes, Councillors Mrs. Webber, J. H. Stevens, H. E. Ambrose, E. Jackson, H. T. Wing, J. D. Whitelaw, J. Symonds, T. A. Mathers, J. F. Amps, E. J. Arcott and D. Crown, the Rev. W. H. Norman, Mr. G. A. Wootten (the Borough Coroner), Mr. Sterndale Burrows (Clerk of the Peace), Mr. Julian Julian (Borough Surveyor), Mr. A. Townsend (Assistant Town Clerk), Mr. W. Varney Webb (Chief Constable of the County), Superintendent Hargreaves (Deputy Chief Constable of the Borough), etc.
With the aid of a megaphone the mayor succeeded in making himself heard from one end of the baths to the other. They had met that afternoon, he said, to open formally those baths which had been constructed for the benefit of the citizens and the young people of that town. That ceremony, according to many, should have been commenced in a different manner to what they had arranged, but he used a warm water bath and not a cold one - (laughter) - it was not his intention to copy the good example of the Mayor of Grimsby, for although both he and the Mayoress liked water they liked it warm. (Laughter.) He had endeavoured get a substitute; he tried each member of the Commons Committee, but all had declined. (Laughter.) He had even asked his friend Mr. Councillor Symonds to substitute, but he also was not willing. (Renewed laughter.)
One objection which had I been raised to those baths was that they were unsightly; but there, were reasons why that site had been chosen. One was that there was no other spot along the river course where they could get a natural flow of water. Taking the water above Jesus Locks they were able to get a fall of water which would constantly keep the baths pure and clean. He had himself been in favour, of another site, for he was not the parent of that one; it was born in the brain of another Councillor. Had they chosen the other place, however, it would have been been necessary to pump the water in and out, so they would have had an everlasting expense upon the Borough. Therefore they felt they hail done the right thing in placing the baths where they could save this expense. (Applause.)
Another reason for placing the baths at that spot was that it was in the centre of a large number of schools seven schools surrounded it, and they believed it would be for the benefit of the young life of the town that they would be able to come there instead of going into the river which was dangerous on account of the sloping bed, the mud and the weeds. They felt young people would be far better bathing in a place like that than they possibly could be in the river. The baths were 300 ft. long and 40 ft. wide; the depth in the centre was 7 ft. 6 inches and at each end 3 ft. 9 inches. They had been given to understand that the baths were ideal for water polo; they did not know this before but congratulated themselves on the fact. In thanking the members of the Amateur Swimming Club for the help they had rendered in arranging the programme that afternoon, the Mayor mentioned that prizes had given by members of the Commons Committee, who had come forward generously in order that they might have those sports for the young people. In conclusion the Mayor said that Committee would gladly consider any suggestions which might be made for the improvement of the baths and would do their utmost to make them a complete success.
Messrs. E. T. Mathers, Len G. Morris and G. Mason had charge of the arrangements for the races, the Mayor adjudicating as judge. The results of the four events were:-
Fifty Yards (boys under 13) - l C. Jones, 2 B. Gray, 3 J. Cross. Time, 1 min. All three boys were on the scratch mark.
Fifty Yards (girls under 13) - 1 G. Prior (scratch), 2 M. Burton (5 secs) 3 A. M. Clark (2 secs) Time 1 min. 10 secs.
100 Yards (boys under 16) 1 B. Scudamore (scratch), 2 A. Baker (10 secs.), 3 R. Fordham (10 secs.). Time, 1 min. 40 2-5th sec.
100 Yards Scratch Race (girls under 17) - 1 Hilda Sigee, 2 M. French, 3 M. Dring. Time, 2 mins.
Demonstration of life saving were given by Messrs. L. G. Morris, R.L.S.S., and W. C. Clee, both of the Cambridge Amateur Swimming Club, and by Mrs. Langford. Mr. Morris, prior to the demonstration, mention that the two custodians of the baths had bean chosen for their ability and were fully versed in the methods of the Royal Life Saving Society. Children would be perfectly safe in the baths.
The Pool will be available :-
For mixed bathing on Sundays from 7 to 10 a.m., and on week-days from 4.30 to 6 p.m.
For Men and Boys: On week-days from 6.30 to 9 a.m. and from 6 p.m. to closing time. On Saturdays from 6 p.m. to closing time no charge will be made.
For Women and Girls: On week-days from 9 a.m. to noon, and from 2 to 4.30 p.m. except on Saturdays. On the latter day it will be open until noon at the normal charge, and from 2 until 6 p.m.
Children under the age of 10 (and in the case of mixed bathing under the age of 14), are not admitted unless under the care of a responsible person. Boys under 10 may bathe in the company of women, a boy over 10 will be allowed in the pool or enclosure only during the times fixed for men and boys; or (if over 14 and accompanied by a responsible person) during the times fixed for mixed bathing.
The charges for admission are:-
Adults and children over ten years old, 2d. each (a book of 60 tickets can be obtained for 6s.). Children under 10 years old, 1d. each. Schools 1s. per school one visit.
Back to Oliver's entry on Jesus Green Pool
Scanned by Oliver Merrington, www.lidos.org.uk
Text as printed in the Cambridge Chronicle and University Journal.
HTML by Oliver, May 2006.