New swimming pool formally opened by H.R.H The Duchess of Kent听in 1971
The swimming pool was built at a cost of 拢15,800, and was formally opened by H.R.H The Duchess of Kent in October 1971.
From the archives of the student Spotlight Magazine, Clive Folkard described the Duchess’s visit:
On the afternoon of Friday 1st. October, 1971, Her Royal Highness [Katharine] paid her second visit to the Derwen. We were very fortunate that we had a very bright and sunny afternoon for the occassion.
The Royal party arrived at the Derwen just after following the Duchess’s visit to the Orthopaedic Hospital. On her arrival the Duchess was escorted by Mr. Kendall to the Swimming Pool, which she opened, officially although it has been in use for some time.
She dressed in a green dress with matching hat which was covered with flowers. During the visit to the College, the Duchess was shown around the Upholstery Joinery and Craft and Dressmaking departments.
After touring the grounds of the College the Duchess was then escorted to the House for tea, we all enjoyed her visit.
Forty-six years later, in 2017, we raised 拢50,000 鈥� enough to replace the pool’s heating system. This ensured students can continue to use the pool for recreation, sport and even training for Duke of Edinburgh鈥檚 awards.
The pool is used by students to this day, in both timetabled sessions and during leisure time in the evenings and at weekends.
During 2018 Derwen Charity fundraised for a hydrotherapy pool (the building of which was completed during the summer of 2019). The pool allows students who require this beneficial therapy to receive sessions which help them to relax, and to ease pain, provide resistance, and encourage a wider range of controlled movements.
The swimming pool today…
