Wigan Album

We used to jump off the balcony at the deep end when Mr.Spooner wasn't looking.Thanks for the memory Ron.

Hi Dave, did you go with the school? When I was in the first year at the TLS we went every week. I think it was Monday or Tuesday morning first lesson.? Spooner(Hitler) would take us for swimming lessons. We spent more time on the side of the baths, practicing the Breast stroke than we did in the water. We used to get changed in the communal changing room and it was ALWAYS FEEZING. If we were messing about Spooner would spray us all with the cold water hose pipe. Bloody sadist. After 12 months I still couldn't swim. But learned in two weeks when I went on holiday at the end of the first year. Do you remember the school swimming day when all the houses competed against each other? I remember it being at the baths and also I remember going to Chorley baths one year. One particular year There was a competition called the LONG PLUNGE. You dove in and then without moving your arms or legs had to see how far you could go with your head in the water One year one of the boys trunks came off as he was in the process of seeing how far he could go. Every body was laughing their heads off as all you could see was this boy motionless in the pool with his trunks around his ankles.

It was only boarded over in the winter months and they also had wrestling as well as dancing.Not usually at the same time, may I had.

Hi Ron,Yes I went with TLS,Mr Pegg the German Master used to take us.I can still see Spooner keeping his beady eyeon us.I think he later became caretaker at TLS but he had mellowed by then.We all learned to swim at the old baths and the old fashioned method of chuck them in and see what happens was still in use.There goes the whistle,Red bands out.

I remember Spooner too, and I reckon he was a sadist 'n all.
I'd forgotten about the long plunge though. Nice one Ron.

P.S.
What was TLS ?

T.L.S. = Thomas Linacre School The old ALMA MATER

I also remember Spooner's wife... IRMA GRIESE A woman to strike terror into a young boy. Thinking back!!!! I think most of the school, swimming lessons where held in the Ladies pool???
Wednesdays was best.... Mixed bathing. All the other days boys and girls were kept seperated. L.O.L. If I remember correctly, didn't all the girls have to wear swimming caps?

I remember as a kid in the the late 50`s/early 60`s going to the Police Swimming Gala watching the races and also the Water Polo matches, good evenings fun.

i remember the baths, too red bands out , green in!...my dad took me there in the late fifties... he chucked me in...i swam --- 3 yrs old.! best way i say! sink or swim!

If I remember,the boys plunge was closed in the winter months for other events,so they used to alternate girls and boys swiming on a daily basis.

Exept wednesday,when mixed bathing was the order of the day!!!
A bit near to the bone for those days,like our narrow minded school,were boys and girls wern't allowed to walk to school on the same side of the road.

One memory 0f mixed bathing that I still have,is the lads laughing at the Red ring that the girls had around their legs,caused by the elastic in their knickerlegs.???