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THE KNAP POOL During the war years when the Knap Pool was closed, other places to swim were found. Youngsters from Coldbrook used the clayhole pond behind Coldbrook Road. Moors youngsters used the River Diversion, or swam in the old brickworks ponds opposite Barratt's Farm (Ty-Verlons). But the favourite of all the youngsters, from whatever part of Cadoxton they came from, was Tomedge Pond on the docks. After the war ended the Knap Lido or as it was known by the locals, "The Baths" or "The Bars" (depending on what part of Barry you came from), re-opened. In those early days it opened at Easter, and if the weather was fine, stayed open until September, some times even to the end of that month. The Swimming, Lifeguard, and Water Polo clubs used the pool for training and competitions. One year when the pool had stayed open until the end of September, lifeguards taking their awards asked for volunteers to act as victims to enable them to gain their Bronze and Silver Awards. Unfortunately, owing to the climate and the temperature of the water, volunteers were in very short supply that year, so the victim (sorry, volunteer!), covered in grease, had to stay in the water and be rescued by the six trainee lifeguards. Needless to say that by the time the sixth trainee pulled him in, it was nearly a real rescue. The Manager of the pool, Harry Baker, was able to use his discretion as to the time the pool closed. If the weather was fine and the pool was crowded, or people having finished were work turning up at the pool and hoping to swim, he would keep the pool open until 8 or 8.30pm. A number of members of the local gymnastic club hired a chalet to keep their swimming costumes in, to enable them to leave work and make their way straight to the pool, without first having to collect them from home. Having a chalet and being regulars meant that the manager could call on you for assistance when the weather was fine and the pool crowded. In exchange for assistance these volunteers were allowed in the pool earlier and could stay until late. Mr Baker managed the pool on his own until the school holidays, when an assistant manager was appointed. He also took classes from Barry Schools for swimming lessons. Harry was a familiar sight in his shorts and plimsolls, patrolling the poolside. He had over 150 rescues to his credit, many from the sea. He was also responsible for safety in the Old Harbour and Pebble Beach. In the 60's chalets at the pool were so much in demand that a draw for the allocation of them had to be made. Some years over 70 applications were made for the 38 chalets. Chalets became more like holiday cottages, with Calor gas stoves, tables, chairs and sun loungers being stored in them. A family atmosphere pervaded the area with children sitting and playing together, sharing food and sometimes parents, when their own parents might have to dash off to pick up their other children from school or their husbands from work. The water at the pool was always colder than that of the leisure centres, but when the sun was shining the shallow end was always crowded with youngsters learning to swim, and they didn't seem to feel the cold. But their parents, who stood shivering in the water, keeping an eye on them, or teaching them to swim, did! In the 50's the British Games took place at the pool. Teams from England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales took part, and it was the second time that this event had taken place at the pool. It was also the home to Miss HTV and various other beauty competitions. In 1958 when the Commonwealth Games came to Cardiff, a number of competitors, hearing about the pool, used it for training. Chalet holders were allowed free entry to any events staged at the pool. The snack bar at the pool in the 40's and late 50's was situated at the top of the pool near the diving boards. It was run firstly by George & Betty Morgan, and then by Mr & Mrs Coulthard. At one time so much hot OXO and Bovril was sold at the pool that the company provided two floating signs advertising their products. Some days when school or club swimming galas took place, queues of competitors formed, waiting to be served with hot drinks. When they emerged from the snack bar, they could be seen shivering and clutching their mugs, trying to stop its contents from slopping over the sides. The demise of the pool started in the 80's with little or no money being spent to maintain it, new safety regulations on the number of lifeguards required to man the side of the pool, and a sewage treatment plant allowed to be built in the pool surrounds. Changing room staff were no longer employed to look after changing accommodation and bathers clothing, and any damage done at the pool was not being repaired. This when on many fine weekends over 3,000 people used the pool.
© T. CLEMETT 1999
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