SALISBURY’S SWIMMING POOLS

May is ‘Local History Month’ at Salisbury Library with some exciting events on the way. I was impressed by the collection of historical photographs put together by librarian, Rosie Epton-Peter, which gives a very good account of Salisbury’s swimming pools through the ages.

Salisbury has come a long way since the time when there was for the general public only the old halfpenny bath which stood behind the Bishops Mill in St. Thomas’ Square. The water was fed in from the mill stream over a hatch into the main pool and the idea of this pool was first suggested at the Council Chambers in 1868

Mr Harry Coram, who lived in Castle Street, was for years the lessee and young lads would lend him a helping hand in return for a free swim. Salisbury once had a very flourishing swimming club which held numerous galas for the many trophies that were offered and there were also good water polo players who had to put up with what could be very chilly water. Our photograph shows the old swimming pool in 1920.

Not only was there a man’s team, there was also a ladies team, formed from the ladies club. This was still in existence in 1921. It eventually went out of existence because players moved away or there was no opposition.

The captain at the time was Blanch Oliver, daughter of Mr and Mrs Tommy Oliver, of Messrs. Olivers – I expect many readers can still remember their shoe shop which for many years stood by the Poultry Cross. The family lived at Victoria Road, Salisbury.

Also included in Rosie’s collection is a venue which would eventually become known as the Victoria Hall in Rolleston Street. This began life in January 1891 and became Salisbury’s first heated indoor pool - naturally it became a great attraction!