Pool shame (From Barry And District News)

Pool shame

Pool shame

I HAVE not lived in Barry for some 12 years but recently I received an e-mail photograph of Barry's Knap swimming pool as it is today. To say I was saddened at what I saw is an understatement.

I remember the pool as it was, a swimming pool where, every year from May to September, we would meet friends day after day, a place where I met my first girlfriend and a place where children of the very many families grew up together and made lifelong friends.

It was part of my childhood, part of my growing up. Just what have the town councillors of Barry been thinking of to have let such an asset slide into the derelict state I now see it in? They need their brains examined.

That swimming pool was a jewel of the surrounding area, with people coming from miles around to enjoy a day there.

I learnt to swim there, properly taught by the instructor of my gymnastic club, Jimmy Gimlet now sadly deceased and enjoyed the company of the other club members there such as Colin Roberts and Tom Clemetts.

I have also seen pictures of the derelict Butlins holiday camp disgracing Nells Point and the run down state of Central Park. Barry town councillors, you should hang your heads in shame.

Name and address supplied