The history of Grange Lido is to be explored for the first time thanks to a £10,000 grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
The grant will allow the Community Benefit Society Save Grange Lido to delving into the huge collection of artefacts from the pool and give locals the chance to share their memories
The collection will form part of the 90th anniversary celebrations of the opening of the open-air bathing pool and a Cross Bay Walk on August 20 to raise funds for the restoration of the lido will also take place.
The former Grange Baths officially opened on the Promenade in the town on August 18 1932.
After more than 60 years of service the pool closed in 1993 and has been abandoned ever since.
David Dawson from Save Grange Lido said: “When the pool was abandoned so many fascinating items were left behind, including hundreds of photographs, documents relating to the construction and dozens of trophies from the many swimming galas over the years. Thanks to this grant we will be able to share this treasure trove with anyone who remembers swimming in the pool. It’s fitting we are doing this in the month we celebrate the pool‘s 90th anniversary.“
“We will also be running a series of events in the autumn, to give people the chance to come and share their memories, photos, and any other items they have relating to the lido.”
The National Lottery Heritage Fund grant will be used to employ a specialist archivist to organise the collection in preparation for public display. Volunteers will also be given archiving and oral history training.
The 90th anniversary of the opening of the pool will also be marked with a Cross Bay Walk on August 20 to raise funds for the restoration of the lido.
