Look back at Worcester's Sansome Walk swimming baths

It's a subject which was the topic of much discussion a couple of years ago on our We grew up in Worcester page on Facebook when member Claire Wilby asked if anyone remembered having lessons at the pool in the 1970s.

Taking aside older members who could recall using the earlier "freezing cold" 'Park's Puddle' which was its forerunner, the majority of memories seemed to be happy ones.

No holding back these youngsters in March 1991

Claire loved it – "I felt so proud when I graduated from the kids pool to the big one. Did my mile badge there".

A quite brilliant picture of tinsel-topped youngsters who brought some sparkle to the opening pageant at the New Town Games in the pool in 1989

Kirsty Jane Mary Huotari-Francis posted: "I went learnt how to swim there. I loved going swimming there."

Splashing around at Sansome Walk swimming baths in 1972 were (from left) Susie Sutcliffe and her son Duncan, then aged 20 months, little Brigette Needham, aged 19 months, with her mum Annie, and Louise Cowley, aged 20 months

Lee Freeman added: "I still think this one is better than the new one they built."

John Ondreasz posted: "I remember earning my lifesaving badge there. We had to wear pyjamas, dive in and recover a rubber covered brick from the bottom. "Who can forget the Tannoy announcements? 'Will people wearing yellow armbands please leave the pool'".

More splashing pictures from the past: Lower Wick pool memories

January 1988 and the plug was pulled on the baths to allow workmen to carry out repairs during a £100,000 facelift

January 1992 and one youngster comes shooting down the newly installed slide

Helen Brighton posted: "Yes, I learnt to swim there many years ago (shame they had to stop using the diving boards). My kids learnt to swim there too, must be 15 years ago."

The water cannon in full swing after a facelift for the pool in February 1990

Dale Scott was a fan: "Used to love them diving boards and the Jurassic Run."

Laura Rose said: "It was the end of an era when it closed. I used to love going off the top diving board."

A promotional shot for the launch of the new slide in the pool. The picture was taken on Christmas Eve 1991

James Hunt: "80p on a Saturday with my mates we used to cause carnage, running off top board!"

The well-remembered wall of glass

Alec Downward posted: "I still remember the cold walk back to St George's school after swimming lessons!"

Tim Hill: "Use to love going there when I was kid, free swim up to four hours on a Sunday for just £5."

October 1989 and Worcester Lions Club member Dave Thompson didn’t mind getting a bit soggy as £1,200 was raised for Children in Need and local charities

There were others for whom it wasn't such a great experience. Hels Bells posted: "I absolutely hated swimming lessons at Sansome Walk. It was quite an old lady that taught us, she barely got in the water and shouted orders at us from the side, she terrified me and hence I am now a terrible swimmer!"

It’s November 1990 and water baby Laura Taylor, aged two, looks like she is having the time of her life, watched by her grandmother Janet Weston

Sean Evans added: "I was made to go as I was a boarder at RGS. Put me off swimming..."

Plans first mooted three years previously for a tubular splash chute at the Sansome Walk pool were heading for failure in 1987 when city councillors expressed fears they were a “costly fad for which interest might fade fast”

And Jane Clews added: "Went to St Clement's School. We had swimming lessons and at prize giving I was given a book. Inside it says for the best NON-swimmer. What's that about?"

Worcester Carnival Queen Julianna Tongue was given a sneak preview of the new pool in March 1972 before its official opening

Mandy Houghton Large rounds everything up nicely with her post: "I learnt to swim there. I loved going swimming. And jumping off the diving board!"

There are many more great stories being shared on our We grew up in Worcester page on Facebook. Why not join and share some of your own? We look forward to seeing you there.