Plunged in and swam one mile

As near as I can remember to get a free pass we had to swim a couple of lengths in a certain time as to prove yourself proficient. A free pass entitled you to a 20min session,although if you hid in the toilets during the changeover and GEORGE the attendant did not find you you could sneak another session. I attended Cranborne Road Junior school at the time and at the age of 10 swam a mile for which I received a certificate which read ‘Plunged in and swam one mile’; another thing I remember about the baths was the hot 1d OXO in the cafe that overlooked the little pool,it was very welcome on a cold winters day.