A SWIMMING gala with special significance took place this month at a village school.
The annual event at Barnett Wood Lane Infant School was held 40 years to the month after the Ashtead school's pool was first opened.
All the work that went into building the pool was taken on by parents of children at the school at the time and the event on July 12 was officially launched by Alistair Wallace – one of the parents who helped with its construction.
Mr Wallace said he was pleased that the pool continues to be used and gives children opportunities to be confident in the water.
"The whole idea of building a pool was to make sure children had the opportunity to gain water confidence and swimming skills and I am so pleased that this continues today," he said.
He was able to share some interesting stories with the parents and children, including the fact that in 1973 the cost to build the pool was just £3,500.
The parents hired a small digger to complete the project at a cost of a £5.
Since its opening in 1973 the pool has been re-tiled, a rubber surround has been added and recently the changing rooms have had a new roof and under floor-heating installed – which was all paid for by parents.
