Rushden Research Group: Swimming Club and pool

Article by Kay Collins from notes and photographs from George Thompson

Swimming Club & the Open Air Pool


Two swimmers sitting on the base of the diving board	Inside the old pool - the deep end	The changing cubicles and the empty pool

The swimming pool opened in 1929 and the following year a Swimming Club was started. The Rushden Echo & Argus newspaper gave a cup to be presented annually. George Thompson joined the club and later was one of the instructors. Three times he was president of the swimming club.

Evening Telegraph, 8th July 1983

Women get in swim

Twenty-six women in the Rushden area have been taught to swim by members of the town's club as part of the Sun Life Adult Learn to Swim Scheme.

Since the scheme started nationally in April 1982, nearly 2,000 people aged over 18 have passed through it.

The £75 will go into general club funds. Mr Thompson said it was quite an achievement for Rushden, which uses an outdoor pool, to have taught so many people to swim in its restricted season.

Club instructor George Thompson (right) receives a cheque for £75 from Sun Life's public relations officer Alan Bell.

In 1985 the pool was condemned and the land was cleared for a new pool to be built on the site, and for five years there was no pool in Rushden.

George Thompson at the Deep End when the pool was condemned in 1985


1985 when the pool had been emptied prior to demolition


The old pool roof is removed	All gone!

Canoeing in the new pool when it was first filled

In September1990 when the new pool was almost completed, George was invited to take a look and a dip.


George tries out the new pool on September 21st 1990

After the new pool opened on December 1st 1990 several celebrities visited and coached the puils at the club.


George with Phil Pax - Rugby Union physio - who presented the prizes in 2007. Phil's daughter swims for Rushden Swimming Club		Coaching by Suki Brownston who swam for England


Duncan Goodhew coaches some of the club members	George with Duncan Goodhew and Bobby Davro	George with Mark Foster who carried the flag at Beijing Olympic Games 2008

Swimming pool tickets from 1985, shortly before the pool was closed and demolished.

This is a "locker" used at the outdoor pool. The swimmer would put his/her clothes and shoes into the box, put the disc with the number onto his/her wrist. When he/she returned to collect their things, the attendant would put the disc back onto the box and stow it back on the rack.

Photographed courtesy of Rushden Museum

1959 Carnival

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