History
How it all began...
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On the 21st September 1966, an open meeting, organised by Tenbury Rural District Council was held. The purpose was to consider the question of building a swimming pool in the town of Tenbury Wells. The consensus was that this would be an excellent project and an asset to the town. A number of people expressed their interest in assisting with project and a more formal meeting was set for the 5th October 1966.
At this second meeting, it was agreed that the name of the organisation would be the 'Tenbury and District Swimming Pool Guild'; the name remained in use until 2014 when Tenbury Community Pool Ltd was formed, legally protecting the volunteer directors. The objectives of the Guild were to organise, finance, and construct a swimming pool. It was agreed that discussions with the Parish Council should commence in order to examine the possibility of erecting a pool on the Palmers Meadow site.
Fundraising
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The issue of raising money was paramount; a considerable number of suggestions were made, including the formation of an Entertainments and Carnival Committee and a Draws and Lotteries Committee. A Festive Carnival was immediately arranged for Whitsun Monday in May 1967 and it was also agreed that a weekly draw called ‘The High Dive’ be held in and around the District. The first draw of the weekly 'High Dive' was held in December 1966 and raised the grand sum of £23.10. Social functions began to be held, with the sum of £1.75 being donated by Mrs McGrath - the profit from a dinner party she had held. At the same meeting a charity donation of £500 had been received from the Godson Trust. It was then agreed that letters would be sent to all businesses and households giving details of the project and requesting donations.
It is fair to say that with the 'High Dive' and various functions taking place, the next few years proved to be hectic; since the first meeting a total sum of £753 had been raised. In order to encourage the involvement of the villages around Tenbury in the 'High Dive', each draw was made at a different venue (mostly public houses!) many of which have now disappeared. Countless fundraising activities were held during the next three to four years, it would be extremely difficult to describe and list them all. Suffice to say that by early 1970, funds amounting to just over £20,000 had been accumulated, planning permission had been obtained, and estimates for building had been received with the lowest being £43,550. Final grants from various trusts and organisations were being received, over £6,000 had been received in personal loans and discounts, and some of the estimates for construction had been re-negotiated. Finally, on the 9th June 1970, work on construction of the pool began.
The Trust Deed was completed by now and provided for the appointment of representatives from Tenbury R D C (3), Ludlow R D C (1), Leominster & Wigmore R D C (1), Tenbury Parish Council (2), The Lessees (1) and 4 members of the public. This situation varied over the years with Councils amalgamating and refusing to make appoint in some cases. Which in part was the reason that a Company Limited by Guarantee was formed i.e., Tenbury Community Pool Ltd.
The opening of Tenbury Community Pool
On Saturday 15th May 1971 the pool was officially opened by Mr T F Higginson; to mark the occasion a dinner was held at the Bridge Hotel that same evening. Admission charges for the pool were agreed at 15p per adult, under 16's at 7p and spectators at 5p. How times have changed!
Mr Paul Morton was the first manager of the pool, and a number of other staff members were employed. On Sunday afternoons the pool was operated by a team of volunteers. Numerous requests for use of the pool were received from several organisations and schools. Funds continued to be raised for the pool to buy equipment, carry out small changes, and repay personal loans. This method of financing the pool continued for a couple of years until all debts were paid.
This management structure remained in place until the mid 1990's when, for a variety of reasons, it was decided that the management of the pool should be outsourced to a professional provider. Our current service provider, Halo, took over from Freedom Leisure on April 1st 2025.