| Farnham
Swimming Club was first established in
1893, 5 years before the first swimming
pool was built. Club swimmers and the
public used the river Wey, in a special
area, fenced off from the rest of the
river, not far from where the current
sports centre is built.
In 1895 records show a competition took
place between Farnham and Guildford. Events
were recorded for both Men and Ladies,
this must have been quite unusual because
no National Ladies swimming events took
place for another 6 years (1901).
1897 saw the employment of a caretaker
to keep the gravel bed of the river clean
and maintain the swimming area of the
river.
The first swimming baths were built in
1898 to comemorate the Diamond Jubilee
of Queen Victoria. The pool was 25 yds
long, open air without any form of heating
but included changing facilities for both
Men and Ladies.
The swimming club continued to run competitive
galas at the new baths until the first
world war when the club was suspended.
|
Click for: 
