AT an event celebrating the 50th anniversary of Northleach Swimming Pool the first person ever to take a dip revealed it was because his friend pushed him.


Friends of Northleach Swimming Pool (FONSP) and Northleach Church of England Primary School joined together to celebrate 50 years since the open air swimming pool was opened in July 1965.


At a special school assembly led by head teacher Deb Harris, Tony Whitaker told onlookers about how the pool was christened.


As he walked in to the poolside 50 years ago for the opening ceremony, Tony’s friend tripped him up, sending him and the teacher in front tumbling into the pool.


“It was a fateful moment that has thankfully turned into a wonderful memory, but I was given 100 lines,” he said.


“The pool is a wonderful facility. I recently discovered that out of 32,000 schools in England only 160 or so have access to their own pool.”


Tony, thankfully dry this time, and county councillor Paul Hodgkinson then unveiled a 50th birthday plaque before the children sang a resounding rendition of happy birthday - to the pool.
There was even a birthday cake, baked by FONSP Treasurer Claire Burditt.


She said: “We would like to thank all for the contributions to keep the pool running. It takes around £5,000 each year to keep the pool open.


“We are extremely grateful for the £5,000 contribution towards the new doser from Gloucestershire County Council as well as the £1,000 contribution from Northleach Town Council.


“In addition, enormous and special thanks to the FONSP Fundraisers who’ve raised more than double this amount and to all the parents and carer contributions.”


Representatives also came from the fire service, Northleach Town Council and from those who raised funds for the pool 50 years ago, including Alan Wellman who cut the cake.


For more information visit facebook.com/northleachpool.