Classic shots of bathing at lake
AFTER Southport sweltered in the recent heatwave, a local resident shared some amazing photos of Southport Sea Bathing Lake from the 1960s.
The open air pool stood by Southport beach, not far from other popular seaside attractions such as Southport Pier, Peter Pan’s playground and pool, Southport Pleasureland, and the Lakeside Miniature Railway.
Any appearance of sunshine saw it packed with swimmers of all ages.
The outdoor baths were, controversially, demolished by Sefton Council in the 1990s, as they made way for the Ocean Plaza development.
These superb photos were sent in by Del Watkins, a long time resident and a recent star on Channel 4 cookery show Come Dine With Me.
The images show his brother, Kevin, and his dad, Ron.
Ron and wife Mon, along with Del and Kevin, often used to head down to the Sea Bathing Lake with families such as the Patricks and the Deacons.
Del said: “I still can’t believe the council got rid of it.
“It would be great to see a feature with everyone’s photos and memories. We used to spend nearly every day there in the summer. We took picnics with us and it played a huge part of all our childhoods.
“I’d say my brother Kev looks about five in these pictures, so they were probably taken some time in or around 1967.
“My mum would take us every day during the summer holidays and we would meet lots of our friends there. The dads would all join us when they finished work.
“We would all take picnics with us.
“As I grew older, myself and a group of school friends would all meet up and go. We went whatever the weather and were in there even when it was thundering and lightning.
“There used to be a locker room (that we never used) and your clothes were put in a wire basket that was on a pulley system and they would be whisked away to unknown places (very mysterious to a young child).
“It’s a disgrace the council knocked it down and now it’s just a car park!”
WHAT are your memories of Southport’s Sea Bathing Lake?
Please email your photos and comments to us at: visiternews@ southportvisiter. co. uk or message us via the Visiter page on Facebook.