A SWIMMING pool in Taunton built in 1928 which helped countless people learn how to swim started to be demolished on this date in 2018.

St James Pool, Taunton, was always a special place for many people as it was the first place most ever braved swimming.

The pool helped over 1,600 children a week learn to leave their armbands behind.

Officially, the business first opened in 1929, and the St James pool closure, announced in 2016, shocked many.

The closure was part of a greater plan which involved a new "state-of-the-art pool" at Blackbrook Gym and a major redevelopment of Coal Orchard.

The pool started life out as public baths, to be a safe replacement for swimming at French Weir, and was opened in the third week of July 1929, costing £11,000.

The idea of public baths in Taunton was first floated back in the early 1900s, but it wasn’t until the early 1920s that plans were finally approved.

Taunton Deane Council had purchased the land where St James Street Pool was situated in 1914, for £3,000.

The pool was used and loved by all for many years up until it was announced it would close in 2016, but in the months leading up to its closure it had only been used for swimming lessons and private functions.

Giving the Taunton landmark an official send-off, members of the public were invited for one last swim on July 7, 2016.

Fast forward to 2024, people looking to find a pool in Taunton are struggling, as we only really have Taunton Pool and Blackbrook's Pool - which was introduced following the closure of St James Pool.

An emotional time for many growing up in Taunton, our readers sent us some of their memories about St James Pool.

 24-year-old primary school teacher at the time, Natalie Tarr, said: “I used to go swimming there as part of my school lessons while I was in key stage 2 at Trinity Primary School.

“I hated it at first, and I wasn’t a very confident swimmer, but by the time I got to year 6, I started to enjoy it.

“I think it is sad the pool is closing, I know even today a lot of my pupils go there for lessons; the pool has been there for such a long time.”

Another reader, David, who was 47 at the time, grew up in Taunton before moving to London.

David said: "I learnt to swim at the baths back in the late 70s and 80s; my mother, Christine, often took me there.

“I’ll always remember diving for bricks swimming lengths underwater, swimming in pyjamas and treading water for long periods – all with my parents viewing from the imposing balcony.”