Invergordon Image Library | Bathing Poll, Invergordon

	308
	Invergordon Museum and Heritage Centre
	1934

Bathing Poll, Invergordon

Picture Added on 12 May 2004.

Comments

At Forty seven years old, this picture brings me right back to my childhood. I remember playing with my Action Man figure in the water dressed in his deep-sea diving suit. Not sure the year this was taken, but directly behind the people in the foreground were the changing rooms. You got a wire basket from the attendant where you put you clothes and then returned it for safe keeping.
Added by Michael Coghill on 24 June 2004.

I remember the hot orange squash or the hot bovril drink I would have to warm me up after a swim in the freezing cold sea water. Oh happy days.
Added by Heather McKinney (nee Hawkins) on 03 October 2004.

It was Oxo wasn't it? They (who?) used to bash the cubes down in the mug with a bit of wood with a crown cap on the end. The pool water was cold but would warm up a bit after a week in the pool. Then of course they'd change it. The water in the paddling pool was sometimes almost warm so you could lie there for a bit to thaw out.
Added by Brian Mckenzie on 04 October 2004.

Yes it was oxo....and you were shaking so much from the cold that you could hardly hold the mug in both hands....used to have to lie on the cement paving to get heat from sun if it was out....
Added by Harry O'Neill on 05 October 2004.

You are both right it was Oxo. Do you remember the little 'buckies' / winkles stuck to the pool walls?
Added by Heather McKinney (Hawkins) on 05 October 2004.

Yes I do, scrape scrape...also remember the raft, a round one...
Added by Harry O'Neill on 05 October 2004.

I remember this pool where the now by-pass goes by St Ninians Church. I toddled in the shallow pool which was behind the sea water pool. It closed when I was about 8 - circa 1978.

Added by Marina McCaughey nee Grant on 15 January 2005.

Does anyone remember the belt affair used to teach kids/adults to swim? I remember Mr Cooney taking us to the pool in our sport time in high school (early 60s) and thankfully I had managed to dog paddle in the shallow end so was spared - what I considered - the indignity! Hot Oxo just does not taste the same now as it did after a freezing cold dip. I never liked hot orange because it was too sweet. I think of the pool each time I pass by St Ninian's when I am over and reading "Reflections" for "44 years ago" in the on-line "Ross-shire Journal" I see familiar names listed in summer months from pool competitions. Describing the system of filling and emptying to others who have never experienced a tidal pool of that type brings expressions of disbelief in this age of Occupational Health and Safety regulations and Insurance concerns. Good old days or not?
Added by Isabel Kilkenny on 20 February 2005.

Isabel, take a look at picture #336 - fond memories??!!
Added by Malcolm McKean on 20 February 2005.

I remember once when the pool was newly filled with sea water, a very large red jelly fish had been sucked in. It took quite some time to get it all fished out - yuck! In later times, diving boards were attached to the steps on the sea side of the pool. The pole sticking out over the water was covered in grease for gala events as one of the competitions was for people to get to the end of the pole before diving into the water. I can't remember anyone doing it successfuly.
Added by Bill Geddes on 20 February 2005.

I remember if it rained the water got a bit warmer. What fun we all had at the pool - we used to spend all day there - and YES the hot oxo and hot orange was a treat. Once we grew up a bit my brother, Angus Burnett, got a job there as he spent all day there, so at least he got some money then as well. I also remember the jelly fish too - who wouldn't?This is great to read all our happy memories. Take care everyone - God bless. Wilma Mackay.[Burnett]
Added by Wilma Mackay. on 22 February 2005.

I have fond memories too. I used to take a dip in the baby pool first as the water was a lot warmer, then go to the big pool, freeze to death, then go for hot orange and a bag of plain crisps. Everyone would be there, I can still taste the salt water. Good times!
Added by ANNE WILKIE on 03 January 2006.

I am the little boy looking at the camera. My sister, Joan, I think, is beside me. Mr Privett was in charge. He allowed us to help him empty the pool every Saturday evening. Great excitement. Five shillings for a season ticket for teens. No hot drinks, just keep running! Photo taken about 1934/5. Great times!

(Many thanks George for the comment - the date has been updated - Site Admin.)
Added by George Sutherland (Sud) on 08 August 2007.