MEMORIES FROM JOYCE SHEPHERD
The first time we used the swimming pool was when the police rented the pool for an evening session. We came to Yarmouth in 1970 and the pool was only a thought then, I believe. However, when we started swimming the only facilities were the pool and changing rooms. The roof was on but only just, I think. The water was heated and the changing rooms only had bare benches (no showers). We really enjoyed our swim though – the thought that the West Wight had such facilities was amazing
Over the ensuing years we did other things and in 1976 we moved to Freshwater where, eventually, I became involved in the West Wight Swimming Club and became a volunteer for weekends, to man the desk for Saturday and Sunday swimming sessions. There were about four of us on a rota. We also did a lot of work organising jumble sales. I also remember the ’Bits and Bobs’ days when it was all hands to the deck, arriving at the crack of dawn to set up stalls and watching everyone enjoy bacon, eggs and Hot Dogs and the bouncy castle and music – it was always a fabulous day, very long but worth it. We always took a lot of money, which went towards building the main pool and latterly the learner pool.
The fact that, from humble beginnings, the great sports centre we have today is fabulous. All of it is due to the hard work of the local people.
