EDLINGTON SWIMMING CLUB - SOME OF THE EARLY DAYS
Introduction
Edlington Swimming Pool was built as part of a trio of swimming pools built by the old Doncaster Urban District Council. The other two were Rossington and Askern. They were all heated by coal fired boilers, a very cheap commodity in those days, and was a policy requirement in mining areas.
The pool was the main source of activity for youngsters in the village throughout the evenings and weekends. It was given over to school use during the day at term time.
The two original School Swimming Instructors were Mrs Atkinson and Mrs Val Newton.
Edlington Amateur Swimming Club It was clear that swimming was very popular in the village and with such a large base in the sporting triangle, a number of talented swimmers and divers emerged.
A group of parents and community minded adults got together one evening and met in, what was then the committee room, just off the foyer . Edlington Amateur Swimming Club was born!. A Committee was formed and the first Chairman (in those days) was a well-known village local called Frank Cope. The first ever Swimming Coach was another local from the village called Tracey Oliver.
The picture was taken after the first ever Annual Gala and show some of the trophy winners who were, from the left (back) Philip Hood Keith Osborne Barry Swinbourne and Frank Dack (front) Elizabeth Wilson and Amanda Boon.
Two other swimmers of significance from that era but not on the photo were local lads Dave Parkes and Stephen Lewis.
The first away galas were held at Askern and Rossington Pools which started a long rivalry between the three clubs.
Credit & Thanks to Keith Osborne
