Destruction of Exmouth pool marks the end of a golden era

THE demolition of Exmouth Swimming Pool to make way for new development is a poignant and sad milestone for Exmouthonians who remember it – and used it – during its heyday.

• The wilderness that is the former swimming pool on Exmouth seafront today. Ref P2345-37-06SH

• FUN AND GAMES: In its heyday the pool was used for a variety of exciting water sports.

• Spectators packed the pool’s tiered terraces to watch water polo, swimming races and diving competitions.

• GLORY DAYS: Local winners celebrate with their trophies.

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The fact that it has not been used as an outdoor pool for a good many years is irrelevant; its demolition is symbolic because it is one of the last few reminders of a golden era for the town.

It was built in 1931, during the great British holiday resort boom when thousands from all around the country, who probably never considered even having a holiday before, suddenly had the option of heading to the coast for a weekend. The pool was good for business.

It was also good for Exmouth’s high-quality water polo team, which was captained by Bill Gorfin, the editor of the Exmouth Journal, in the late 1920s.

Prior to the pool’s construction, Bill’s team had to be content with playing in the murky depths of the dock basin.

As you can imagine the players ran the risk of colliding with pieces of flotsam and jetsam, as well as the odd elbow in the face that was part and parcel of these tough water polo matches.

However, once built, the swimming pool became a weekly ritual for many. Gala Night was every Saturday during the summer months, as spectators packed the pool’s tiered terraces, situated next to what is now the Madeira Bowls Club, to watch water polo, swimming races and diving competitions off the pool’s disconcertingly high boards.

“It was one of the most popular times of the week, everybody used to go to the pool on Saturday nights,” remembers Mavis Prideaux, 73, of Marpool Hill.

“You had to get there really early to get a seat of any kind and, if you sat right at the top, you could see just about everything.

“Those who just turned up later would have to stand around the edge of the pool and, by the end of the evening, they would be absolutely soaked!”

The show had the popularity – and atmosphere – of a football derby, with a raucous crowd cheering on their favourites, while enjoying an ice cream and possibly a pint (or six) of beer. Who says water and alcohol don’t mix?

The water polo was the main event and a crowd favourite with its mixture of aggression and chaos, with limbs and water flying in all directions.

Steve West, 76, of Littleham said: “It was an exciting game for the spectator, and the Exmouth team were pretty good.

“Part of it obviously was because my friends all went there. It was a good skilful team sport, but quite rough. Similar to football in many ways except the players used to get a good deal wetter!”

Stan Jordan, 60, of Green Close, who played water polo for Exmouth in the 1960s, said: “It was seven-a-side and the team used to come from their dressing rooms with towels wrapped around them to the theme tune of The Magnificent Seven, and everybody got up and cheered.

“It was a great spectator sport – it was aggressive and people got injured, but it was also quite good natured.

“Elbows and knees used to fly everywhere and with the water it was very difficult to see. More than a few people were deprived of their front teeth after getting the odd foot in the face.

“It was also freezing cold and visibility became worse because the water used to get really murky and dark.

“But the crowd loved it. Regardless of the state we were in we all ended up going down the pub afterwards.”

But despite the steady flow of league and cup competitions, the appeal of the outdoor pool waned as it became more and more expensive to run and health and safety concerns led to the five-metre diving boards being dismantled.

Stan added: “Although the closure of the pool wasn’t the end of water polo in Exmouth, by the 1960s it didn’t have the same crowds.

“Things were different, different sports started to appeal and, to be honest, because we had to start playing inside, it simply didn’t have that intense rugby match-type atmosphere any more. It just wasn’t the same.”