Sheila calls it a day at busy pool
It is a pool where thousands of Ayrshire youngsters have taken their first dip in the water.
Now, after 25 years, the famous Mungos Well is calling it a day – leaving a lasting legacy filled with generations of confident swimmers. For boss Sheila Belcher, the last quarter of a century at the pool in her Alloway home has been a labour of love.
And with retirement comes reflection of a job well done and families who relied upon her service.
She told the Post: “The number of children coming through our doors in that time is impossible to quantify.
“But we always prided ourselves on being more than just a place for swimming lessons.
“It was about people of all ages to come and gain confidence and grow in a social aspect as well.
“And what started as a fairly small business vision quickly turned into something far bigger.
“We began by doing two nights a week after school and were running six days a week by the end.
“Word of mouth at school gates was always enough for our books to be filled on a constant basis.
“The house has always been a buzz and a really happy place because of that.”
Sheila oversaw a dedicated team of teaching staff who ran small and focused lessons in the pool.
And from young to old, the ability to learn in that environment proved a winner.
Sheila revealed: “Our oldest lady who came along was 89, which proved how we catered for all ages.
“And the great thing was that through all the years, we pretty much had the same staff. The teachers would see generations of the same families coming through the doors and teach them all.
“It’s been a fabulous journey but the time is right to retire. And I do so with many happy memories.”