Rayleigh

                           Through the Looking Glass

June 2011 Update - Love Lane School Sports Pavilion & Pool

Previous Updates

In 1958 only 10 percent of the children at Love Lane School could swim. The Parent Teacher Association and

Governors decided to solve this situation  by raising funds to finance the building of a swimming pool

and sports pavilion in  Spring Gardens.

Many volunteers were also actively involved  in the construction work.

Were you pupil or parent at that time? Do you remember the ‘Buy a Brick' campaign?

All the hard work paid off when on 15th July 1961 the Sports Pavilion & Swimming Pool were officially opened by

Ann Long (International & Olympic Diver) & Mr Ted Fenton (Manager of Southend United Football Club)

Within a short period after the opening 90 percent of the children could swim.

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of this event ‘Party at the Pool’ will be held on 17th July 2011 both in the school

and Spring Gardens when Ann Long (now Ann Pearce) will return. See our Special Events page for details.

Here are some pictures of both the building and the opening ceremony.

Please click on the thumbnails below to page through the pictures.

Detail at the bottom of each one