WESTBURY celebrated 125 years of its swimming pool last weekend. Victorian costumes, old swimming strokes and penny-a-swim sessions were all part of the celebrations.

As one of the oldest working public pools in Britain, the pool is both a significant part of Westbury’s heritage and a valuable facility for the town today.

Westbury Swimming Baths were built by Westbury Mill owner W H Laverton to mark Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee. The foundation stone was laid in 1887 with the opening on 24 May 1888.

Last weekend, the original admission fee of one penny was charged for swim sessions. On Saturday local swimmers gave a display of old swimming strokes, and local councillors and town council staff dressed in Victorian attire and even Victorian swimwear.

The Laverton celebrated its 140th anniversary over the same weekend, and an exhibition in its hall celebrated the history of both the Laverton and the pool. Commemorative mugs for both facilities were available. Cakes for both the pool and the Laverton were cut by David Bradshaw, who led the town council’s working group for the celebrations, and Jane Scott, leader of Wiltshire Council.

David Bradshaw said, “125 years in existence is something special in itself, it is one of the oldest public working swimming pools in the country.

“It holds a lot of memories for town folk; there are still a lot of people in Westbury who remember the old days or even war days.

“It is an important part of the community, well-loved. It’s a quaint place – not over the top, but a nice family friendly pool.”

Mayor of Westbury, cllr David Windess said, “This is a milestone not only for the pool but for the town as well – after all, the pool is a key part of Westbury’s heritage.

“No doubt many things have changed since Victorian times, but one thing that has remained the same is people’s passion for the pool.

“It is a beautiful building and something the whole town can be proud of.

“I would like to thank David Bradshaw and the town council’s working group for their efforts in putting the celebrations together.”

Jane Scott, leader of Wiltshire Council, said the pool was iconic for both Westbury and Wiltshire. She noted the variety of uses that the pool served, from a facility for dancers in winter months to a shelter for wardens in World War Two. She said, “But most important is how many generations of young people and old people have swum in this pool, how many people have learned to swim and kept fit in there.” She also thanked Westbury Town Council, DC Leisure, Westbury Heritage Centre, Westbury Area Board, and the swimming club for their contributions to the celebrations.

Future of the pool 

But as the town marks the pool’s past, it must also consider its future. Two out of the three options in the consultation for a Westbury Community Campus would see a new pool built and ‘alternative use’ found for the Victorian pool building.

David Bradshaw says he hopes the celebrations will have reminded people how important the swimming pool is for the town’s community and heritage. “There is a danger that the pool could close, and the majority of people would not like to see that happen. At the last area board, when there was the three options put forward, the majority voted to keep the buildings we’ve got, and upgrade, rather than have a new pool.”