Latest news with #CockleshellHeroes
The Irish Sun
14-05-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Historic swimming pool set to be transformed into waterpark with kitesurfing, paddleboarding & restaurant among plans
A HISTORIC swimming pool is set to be demolished - with plans in the works to replace it with a packed-out water sports facility. The location has seen over a century of British history, providing a training ground for World War II heroes. 3 Eastney Swimming Pool was first built in 1904 and operated for over a century before closing its doors in 1904 Credit: Portsmouth City Council 3 The historic structure was labelled as 'outdated' and 'in dangerous condition' by the local council Credit: Portsmouth City Council Eastney Swimming Pool in Southsea, Portsmouth closed its doors in 2020 during the Covid pandemic and has never re-opened. Portsmouth City Council described the building, which first opened in 1904, as outdated and in a dangerous condition, citing structural issues with the walls and roof. Plans were officially approved earlier this year to demolish the historic structure. A £23.4 million project at nearby Bransbury Park will see a new leisure centre facility replace the former pool, featuring a swimming pool, gym, and GP surgery. However, the fate of the Eastney Swimming Pool site remains less certain. The demolition could potentially make way for a new water sports centre, says The hub would include facilities for kite-boarding, kayaking, and paddle-boarding. And of course, kayaking is deeply rooted within the site's history, as the Cockleshell Heroes are reported to have trained there. Most read in News Travel The iconic mission saw 13 Royal Marines attempt to paddle in kayaks to blow up German ships in the occupied part of Bordeaux in 1942. These men are believed to have trained for the stealthy mission in part at the former pool. The perfect Haven holiday park for a kid-friendly break - with direct beach access, indoor waterpark and neighbouring seaside theme park Only two of the marine survived the partially successful raid. Historic England declined to support listing the pool as a protected structure over its association with the mission. Portsmouth City Council has allocated £100,000 for the historic pool's demolition. The pool was also one of the first venues to host underwater hockey - octopush - matches. A new water sports venue on the site could provide a centrepiece for Portsmouth's Seafront Master Plan, most recently updated in 2021. This Heated Lido Is In The Middle Of London This outdoor pool is next to a popular London tube station... Less well-known than other lidos in London like Brockwell Lido, London Fields Lido and Located on Endell Street, the Oasis Sports Centre is just a five-minute walk from Known only to locals and There are also three squash courts, a sauna, and a large rooftop terrace on the site. The plans for the water sports hub include facilities like changing rooms, storage, and showers. "It has been an ambition of the council to provide a facility like this for many years, so it's great news that we can start to move forward on this project," said Councillor Steve Pitt, leader of Portsmouth Council. "We have a real opportunity to create something that enhances this very unique environment, so we need to make sure we get this right. "This is why we are consulting early, so we can get a clear understanding of what sports should be provided for and what other facilities should be provided in any new centre." Read more on the Irish Sun One of the And an abandoned Victorian church that was turned into one of the 3 A new leisure centre is currently being constructed at the nearby Bransbury Park to replace the outdated facilities Credit: Portsmouth City Council
Scottish Sun
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Historic swimming pool set to be transformed into waterpark with kitesurfing, paddleboarding & restaurant among plans
A HISTORIC swimming pool is set to be demolished - with plans in the works to replace it with a packed-out water sports facility. The location has seen over a century of British history, providing a training ground for World War II heroes. 3 Eastney Swimming Pool was first built in 1904 and operated for over a century before closing its doors in 1904 Credit: Portsmouth City Council 3 The historic structure was labelled as 'outdated' and 'in dangerous condition' by the local council Credit: Portsmouth City Council Eastney Swimming Pool in Southsea, Portsmouth closed its doors in 2020 during the Covid pandemic and has never re-opened. Portsmouth City Council described the building, which first opened in 1904, as outdated and in a dangerous condition, citing structural issues with the walls and roof. Plans were officially approved earlier this year to demolish the historic structure. A £23.4 million project at nearby Bransbury Park will see a new leisure centre facility replace the former pool, featuring a swimming pool, gym, and GP surgery. However, the fate of the Eastney Swimming Pool site remains less certain. The demolition could potentially make way for a new water sports centre, says Portsmouth City Council. The hub would include facilities for kite-boarding, kayaking, and paddle-boarding. And of course, kayaking is deeply rooted within the site's history, as the Cockleshell Heroes are reported to have trained there. The iconic mission saw 13 Royal Marines attempt to paddle in kayaks to blow up German ships in the occupied part of Bordeaux in 1942. These men are believed to have trained for the stealthy mission in part at the former pool. The perfect Haven holiday park for a kid-friendly break - with direct beach access, indoor waterpark and neighbouring seaside theme park Only two of the marine survived the partially successful raid. Historic England declined to support listing the pool as a protected structure over its association with the mission. Portsmouth City Council has allocated £100,000 for the historic pool's demolition. The pool was also one of the first venues to host underwater hockey - octopush - matches. A new water sports venue on the site could provide a centrepiece for Portsmouth's Seafront Master Plan, most recently updated in 2021. This Heated Lido Is In The Middle Of London This outdoor pool is next to a popular London tube station... There's a heated outdoor swimming pool in central London that gets missed by most tourists. Less well-known than other lidos in London like Brockwell Lido, London Fields Lido and Tooting Bec Lido, the Oasis Sports Centre is arguably a quieter place to visit on a hot summer's day. Located on Endell Street, the Oasis Sports Centre is just a five-minute walk from Covent Garden Tube Station. Despite being in the heart of central London, the outdoor swimming pool isn't well-known among holidaymakers. Known only to locals and lido enthusiasts, the outdoor pool stretches for 27.5m and is heated throughout the year. Because it is set inside a sports centre, there are other facilities at the central London lido too, including an indoor pool and gym that operates a range of classes. There are also three squash courts, a sauna, and a large rooftop terrace on the site. The plans for the water sports hub include facilities like changing rooms, storage, and showers. "It has been an ambition of the council to provide a facility like this for many years, so it's great news that we can start to move forward on this project," said Councillor Steve Pitt, leader of Portsmouth Council. "We have a real opportunity to create something that enhances this very unique environment, so we need to make sure we get this right. "This is why we are consulting early, so we can get a clear understanding of what sports should be provided for and what other facilities should be provided in any new centre." One of the country's oldest Edwardian swimming pools is set for a multi-million pound renovation. And an abandoned Victorian church that was turned into one of the UK's most beautiful swimming pools.
The Sun
14-05-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Historic swimming pool set to be transformed into waterpark with kitesurfing, paddleboarding & restaurant among plans
A HISTORIC swimming pool is set to be demolished - with plans in the works to replace it with a packed-out water sports facility. The location has seen over a century of British history, providing a training ground for World War II heroes. 3 3 Eastney Swimming Pool in Southsea, Portsmouth closed its doors in 2020 during the Covid pandemic and has never re-opened. Portsmouth City Council described the building, which first opened in 1904, as outdated and in a dangerous condition, citing structural issues with the walls and roof. Plans were officially approved earlier this year to demolish the historic structure. A £23.4 million project at nearby Bransbury Park will see a new leisure centre facility replace the former pool, featuring a swimming pool, gym, and GP surgery. However, the fate of the Eastney Swimming Pool site remains less certain. The demolition could potentially make way for a new water sports centre, says Portsmouth City Council. The hub would include facilities for kite-boarding, kayaking, and paddle-boarding. And of course, kayaking is deeply rooted within the site's history, as the Cockleshell Heroes are reported to have trained there. The iconic mission saw 13 Royal Marines attempt to paddle in kayaks to blow up German ships in the occupied part of Bordeaux in 1942. These men are believed to have trained for the stealthy mission in part at the former pool. The perfect Haven holiday park for a kid-friendly break - with direct beach access, indoor waterpark and neighbouring seaside theme park Only two of the marine survived the partially successful raid. Historic England declined to support listing the pool as a protected structure over its association with the mission. Portsmouth City Council has allocated £100,000 for the historic pool's demolition. The pool was also one of the first venues to host underwater hockey - octopush - matches. A new water sports venue on the site could provide a centrepiece for Portsmouth's Seafront Master Plan, most recently updated in 2021. This Heated Lido Is In The Middle Of London This outdoor pool is next to a popular London tube station... There's a heated outdoor swimming pool in central London that gets missed by most tourists. Less well-known than other lidos in London like Brockwell Lido, London Fields Lido and Tooting Bec Lido, the Oasis Sports Centre is arguably a quieter place to visit on a hot summer 's day. Located on Endell Street, the Oasis Sports Centre is just a five-minute walk from Covent Garden Tube Station. Despite being in the heart of central London, the outdoor swimming pool isn't well-known among holidaymakers. Known only to locals and lido enthusiasts, the outdoor pool stretches for 27.5m and is heated throughout the year. Because it is set inside a sports centre, there are other facilities at the central London lido too, including an indoor pool and gym that operates a range of classes. There are also three squash courts, a sauna, and a large rooftop terrace on the site. The plans for the water sports hub include facilities like changing rooms, storage, and showers. "It has been an ambition of the council to provide a facility like this for many years, so it's great news that we can start to move forward on this project," said Councillor Steve Pitt, leader of Portsmouth Council. "We have a real opportunity to create something that enhances this very unique environment, so we need to make sure we get this right. "This is why we are consulting early, so we can get a clear understanding of what sports should be provided for and what other facilities should be provided in any new centre." One of the country's oldest Edwardian swimming pools is set for a multi-million pound renovation. And an abandoned Victorian church that was turned into one of the UK's most beautiful swimming pools. 3
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Historic swimming pool where wartime Cockleshell Heroes trained is to be demolished
A Liberal Democrat council decision to demolish a historic swimming pool has been criticised by neighbours. The 120-year-old Eastney Swimming Pool in Portsmouth, Hampshire, was used as a training base by the Cockleshell Heroes during the Second World War. Built on the site of an old gravel pit in 1904 as part of the Royal Marine Barracks, it was initially used as a training and recreational facility for the Royal Marines and a place for rehabilitation of injured servicemen. Portsmouth Council closed the pool in 2020 and has now decided to demolish it after it was deemed 'unsafe and beyond repair', a plan locals branded 'appalling'. In 1942, the Cockleshell Heroes used the pool to train for Operation Frankton, a 'suicide' mission in which the team canoed up the Gironde River in south-west France to attack Nazi ships. Only two of the 10 men who took part survived the raid. A movie about the mission – starring José Ferrar, alongside Sir Christopher Lee and Trevor Howard – was made in 1955, with several scenes filmed at Eastney Swimming Pool. Portsmouth resident Charlene Robinson's father featured in the film as an extra. He was a Marine at the time. The 71-year-old retired children's home worker said: 'It's very much part of Portsmouth's history, and there's not much left that's not been demolished or changed. It means a lot to the Portsmouth people.' Rosemarie Purdy's father was a colour sergeant in the 40 Commando Royal Marines who helped to train some of the men involved in Operation Frankton. The retired education worker, 72, said he was good friends with Bill Sparks, one of the survivors. Ms Purdy said she was angry council officials had 'made up their minds', adding: 'You feel that you don't stand a chance.' She said: 'The pool is a big part of our history in Portsmouth, the military. What will become of that area? You feel that your voice hasn't been heard and they haven't taken into account how people living in the area feel strongly about what will happen because it seems like it will go ahead, but we are fighting as much as we can to save this facility.' The council closed the pool in 2020 following the outbreak of Covid and locals claim officials 'left it to rot'. Kevin Gardner, who set up a campaign group opposing the demolition of the pool, said: 'I was swimming at Eastney up until it closed,' he said. 'It's a historic pool.' Mr Gardner, an electrician, branded the decision to demolish the facility as 'appalling'. He added: 'It's not just the affection for the place because it's 120 years old and was used by the Cockleshell Heroes and all of that – but people like the pool, they like the community. 'In theory it's all over, a done deal... but we don't think they did that in the correct manner.' Mr Gardner said the campaigners hoped to bring legal proceedings against the council. 'We can only see one way forward and that is to apply for judicial review. At least in court, they would have to answer questions.' It is understood that plans to build a new £23.4 million pool and gym 750m away in Bransbury Park led to the decision to demolish the Eastney pool. Ex-marine Jim Walker, 76, taught cadets to swim at Eastney, and started swimming there himself in 1966. 'It's been left to rot basically, hasn't it,' he said. 'It's very old, and it's been totally neglected since the council closed it down. 'What would be better than renovating what's already there? Anything's possible these days.' Mr Walker's wife Jane Walker, 76, is a retired swimming teacher and thinks councillors are wrong to say children can't learn there. The mother-of-two said: 'A lot of the councillors are saying you can't teach [there] – I'm sorry, but quite frankly, you're not a good teacher if you can't teach with what you have in front of you. 'Children were so confident in the water [at Eastney], and that's what you want. I've never fought for anything before, but it's a part of the community.' Councillor George Madgwick, 35, said it was an 'insult' that the facility had not been listed as a historical asset by Historic England. 'I think that the council at the moment seems to just be demolishing our history,' he said. He criticised the authority for not carrying out any work on the pool for 45 years. The facility is also believed to be where underwater hockey – also known as octopush – was invented in the 1950s. A spokesman for Portsmouth City Council said: 'The demolition of the building does not in any way diminish the great respect Portsmouth has for the Cockleshell Heroes. 'An island created as part of sea defence work in Langstone Harbour, where they also trained, has recently been named 'Cockleshell Island' to further mark their bravery. 'To renovate the building to make it safe to use for another purpose would be extremely expensive, not appropriate for a watersports centre, and a poor use of public money. 'Historic England has also declined to list the building on two occasions, as they have noted it does not have any special architectural and historic interest required for it to be listed.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
24-03-2025
- General
- Telegraph
Historic swimming pool where wartime Cockleshell Heroes trained to be demolished
A Liberal Democrat council decision to demolish a historic swimming pool has been criticised by neighbours. The 120-year-old Eastney Swimming Pool in Portsmouth, Hampshire, was used as a training base by the Cockleshell Heroes during the Second World War. Built on the site of an old gravel pit in 1904 as part of the Royal Marine Barracks, it was initially used as a training and recreational facility for the Royal Marines and a place for rehabilitation of injured servicemen. Portsmouth Council closed the pool in 2020 and has now decided to demolish it after it was deemed 'unsafe and beyond repair', a plan locals branded 'appalling'. In 1942, the Cockleshell Heroes used the pool to train for Operation Frankton, a 'suicide' mission in which the team canoed up the Gironde River in south-west France to attack Nazi ships. Only two of the 10 men who took part survived the raid. A movie about the mission – starring José Ferrar, alongside Sir Christopher Lee and Trevor Howard – was made in 1955, with several scenes filmed at Eastney Swimming Pool. Portsmouth resident Charlene Robinson's father featured in the film as an extra. He was a Marine at the time. The 71-year-old retired children's home worker said: 'It's very much part of Portsmouth's history, and there's not much left that's not been demolished or changed. It means a lot to the Portsmouth people.' Rosemarie Purdy's father was a Colour Sergeant in the 40 Commando Royal Marines who helped to train some of the men involved in Operation Frankton. The retired education worker, 72, said he was very good friends with Bill Sparks, one of the survivors. Now she's angry council officials 'have made up their minds', adding: 'You feel that you don't stand a chance.' She said: 'The pool is a big part of our history in Portsmouth, the military. What will become of that area? You feel that your voice hasn't been heard and they haven't taken into account how people living in the area feel strongly about what will happen because it seems like it will go ahead, but we are fighting as much as we can to save this facility.' Pool was neglected by officials, claim protestors The council closed the pool in 2020 following the outbreak of Covid and locals claim officials 'left it to rot'. Kevin Gardner, who set up a campaign group opposing the demolition of the pool, said: 'I was swimming at Eastney up until it closed,' he said. 'It's a historic pool.' Mr Gardner, an electrician, branded the decision to demolish the facility as 'appalling'. He added: 'It's not just the affection for the place because it's 120 years old and was used by the Cockleshell Heroes and all of that – but people like the pool, they like the community. 'In theory it's all over, a done deal... but we don't think they did that in the correct manner.' Mr Gardner said the campaign group Eastney Pool Redevelopment hope to bring legal proceedings against the council. 'We can only see one way forward and that is to apply for Judicial review, at least in court they would have to answers questions.' It is understood that plans to build a new £23.4m pool and gym 750m away in Bransbury Park led to the decision to demolish Eastney Swimming pool. Ex-marine Jim Walker, 76, taught cadets to swim at Eastney, and started swimming there himself in 1966. 'It's been left to rot basically, hasn't it,' he said. 'It's very old, and it's been totally neglected since the council closed it down. 'What would be better than renovating what's already there? Anything's possible these days.' Mr Walker's wife Jane Walker, 76, is a retired swimming teacher and thinks councillors are wrong to say children can't learn there. The mother-of-two said: 'A lot of the councillors are saying you can't teach [there] – I'm sorry, but quite frankly, you're not a good teacher if you can't teach with what you have in front of you. 'Children were so confident in the water [at Eastney], and that's what you want. I've never fought for anything before, but it's a part of the community.' Councillor George Madgwick, 35, said it was an 'insult' the facility hasn't been listed as a historical asset by Historic England. 'I think that the council at the moment seems to just be demolishing over our history,' he said. He criticised the authority for not carrying out any work on the pool for 45 years. The facility is also believed to be where underwater hockey – also known as octopush – was invented in the 1950s. A spokesperson for Portsmouth City Council said: 'The demolition of the building does not in any way diminish the great respect Portsmouth has for the Cockleshell Heroes. 'An island created as part of sea defence work in Langstone Harbour, where they also trained, has recently been named 'Cockleshell Island' to further mark their bravery. 'To renovate the building to make it safe to use for another purpose would be extremely expensive, not appropriate for a watersports centre, and a poor use of public money. 'Historic England has also declined to list the building on two occasions, as they have noted it does not have any special architectural and historic interest required for it to be listed.'
