History of Kings Meadow, Reading

The area in the early 19th century was meadow land owned by Mr Poulton and had cattle grazing in it. Mr Poulton was related to the Knolly Family of whom there is the Great Knolly’s St named. They were a farming land-owning family and had an auctioneers business in Reading. No bridge existed before 1890 beside Caversham Lock –there was possibly a ferry supported by a boathouse located next to Reading Bridge. The record of 1860 show the men’s bathing area. The map of 1912 shows a foundry next to de Bohun Road and then a men’s swimming area next to that, between the current King’s Meadow Swimming Baths and the Reading Bridge. The Recreation Ground which was partly a gift of the late Mr. George Palmer and partly acquired by purchase, had long been in the hands of the Corporation and the loan raised about 1803 through the Westminster Bank had long since been repaid. Reported in July 1902 was that Reading Corporation sold Stock through Westminster Bank for funding the construction project.

Before the opening of the women’s pool, there was a very active men’s pool surrounded by a tin wall. This was built in 1879. In 1884 it was listed as being open 6am-9pm Spring and Summer. There were changing cabins. The water was fed from the river via a sluice into a large concrete pool 230x60ft varying in depth from 6ft to 3ft. It was built by Messrs Jenkins to the design of Arthur Collins, the Borough surveyor. It was described as one of the best in the country. Although very cold it was sometimes overcrowded and the severe attendant, described by one as like a retired major often used to send people away. A gentleman I spoke to described how he used to ride past prop his cycle against the tin wall of a summer’s evening and have a dip after finishing working in the hot town centre. The water was not clear but at least it was constantly changing. Many children and schools taught their pupils to swim there and there were summer galas. The Reading School Board, Chairman Mr Collier, is mentioned as having instructions in swimming for boys and girls in May 1902. The Reading YMCA has an active swimming club too. This was not the only pool in Reading; there existed an outdoor pool at Coley. In January 1902 the Reading Winter Bathers were photographed at the Corporation Baths after having had their ritual swim. Afterwards they were presented to the Mayor at their annual banquet. The river area was popular and Reading Amateur Regatta in 2001 claimed to have had 15,000 spectators. E. Cawson ran a boat hire business beside Caversham Bridge and was busy with running steam launch river trips with his Starlight, Mystery, River Queen & Eclipse. The Corporation were also negotiating to buy a strip of river frontage to the West and up stream of the Caversham Bridge to create a Promenade.

Before the opening the Corporation minutes mention the delays caused by the negotiations between them and the Thames Conservancy and the owner of the Lower Caversham Mill, Mr Lawes. Mr Milsom wanted a 24inch outlet and inlet pipe for the pool Taking of water and return of it to the river was an issue. Before the opening an advertisement was placed in the paper for an attendant. It was specified that the post would be for May, June, July, August, September and was open to a female of between 25 and 35 years, preferences given to one that could swim. The pay was to be 30 shillings per week. On the 1st of May 1903 the opening was announced as the following Wednesday 23rd May by the Mayoress A.H. Bull. The first public day would be the Thursday. By opening time an attendant was found. A Mrs Annie King and would be assisted by Miss Bright. On September 26th 1903.

The opening of this new 154,000 gallon 120ftx45ft pool was described in the Berkshire, Oxfordshire …. Henry Hill of Maidenhead were the principle contractors. Mr Bowen was the architect / surveyor, Joseph Bliss of High Wycombe & the solicitor was William Tripp of Queen St. Maidenhead. Edward Fitt of 118 Oxford Road, John Bernard Messer (Timber Merchant) + William Bernard Dorset Ville. The final cost announced on 27th June 1902 of the Caretaker’s lodge and the WCs was £1100. The bylaws for the pool were published in the Reading Mercury and the Reading Observer about 6th August 1903. A refreshments licence was granted to Robert Pointer for the park to be operated by the caretaker.

A caretaker’s lodge and public toilets were built for £364.4.0 by Mr McCarthay E Fitt and these became an integral part of the maintenance department of the park and pool. Celebrations were held in 1902 for the Coronation and the park was used for athletics and musical entertainment. But delays had occurred and the pool was not to be opened until 2003. Another Reading pool, Arthur Hill, later in 1911 had its own caretaker’s lodge. A turbulence in the park management meant Mr William J. Lovel who was the park keeper, was replaced by Mr Reuben Martin, paid 25 shillings per week with the lodge rent/rates and lighting free. Included in the terms was that he could supply refreshments to the Ground. The pool was busy in its first year. Activities for the schools being described on the 26th Sept 03. Reading Girls were taught to swim despite of the chilly windy weather. Kendrick boys were taught to swim during the month of June.1911. The younger children too from the Reading and District Elementary Schools Swimming Association used both the men’s and the women’s pools. On 29th July 1911 at 6pm the Reading Swimming Club had its competition at King’s Meadow. Elsewhere in the town, in January 1913, Tilehurst Road baths were used by Reading Swimming Club.

The contractor Mr Hill having proved himself capable, obtained another contract for a Ladies Swimming bath for £20,000 in Wales on 25th April 2003. The same attendant Mrs Annie King was still on the job in May 1919 and had her contract renewed this include a war allowance of £10. The last caretaker/attendant couple to run the pool until the 1970’s was Mr & Mrs Wicks. Mr Wicks was the groundsman and his wife also was the cashier of the Arthur Hill Pool. Mrs Wicks wearing a white uniform operated the cash desk behind the octagonal mahogany countered entrance kiosk.

During the lifetime of the pool the water treatment method changed and a heating system was installed. The latter never was used. On the 27th November 1973 in council meeting of the Amenities Committee, it was proposed that the roofing at the King’s Meadow Pool was improved by that further improvements be restricted in view of the impending development of the Thameside site and that a feasibility study be carried out into the future of the pool.

In the late 80’s many prospective developers looked around the building and photos were taken; some with the aim of creating a bar/restaurant. During the 1990’s the Reading Dive Club took a lease on the premises and have established a non-swimming meeting place. Over the last few years the outside of the building has been graffitied and vandalised to prevent break-ins. Now the council have approached Kings Sturge for a study of proposals for redevelopment of the existing pools area, the lock island and the Hills Meadow car park often used for circuses and fairs. This proposal is detailed in a separate proposal document issued by the Council.

Copyright 2008 London Pools Campaign