2003 saw the opening of a new swimming pool for Peel and the west of the Island, some 20-odd years after the old Pool closed. A good time, perhaps, to capture some memories of the old Pool as we enter the new era. As you read the contributions below, the distinctions between old and new are clear: from outdoor to indoor, cold to warm(ish), potentially dangerous (dive bombing and rock climbing) to safe; but what really comes across from both the memories and press articles from the opening 45 years ago is the pride and achievement of those involved in opening the pool, the real sense of community, and the fun that was had by all who used it.

Opening of the Old Pool in 1959

At the time the local press reported:

"With brilliant sunshine streaming down from a cloudless sky the setting was perfect for the semi-official opening of the Peel swimming pool on Saturday.

Mr Teare, chair of Commissioners said: " I am glad to see so many people here, and I think that everyone here will fully agree that that the Commissioners represent the citizens of Peel, and that we were right in going forward with the swimming pool.

"Those who have looked from the upper terrace down on to the bay and across to the Castle, the hill and the breakwater, say they have never seen such beautiful scenery."

Mr Teare thanked the parents for the way they had encouraged their children to join the Peel Swimming Club in which they would get tuition in swimming and rescue work.

"There was an absolutely laughable scene as Commissioner Harrison Quirk was pushed into the water fully clothed. The crowd roared as he disappeared below the surface and lifeguard Gerry Burden, with the assistance of a lady member of the club, went to his assistance with an inflated lifebelt which they threw to the "drowning" chairman of the entertainments committee. It is doubtful who enjoyed the incident and the eventful rescue most - the spectators, the juvenile swimmers, or Mr Quirk, who had wisely chosen some old clothes for his baptismal ducking. Nevertheless it was a well-staged stunt and Harrison was all smiles at the distinction of being the first Commissioner to have been thrown overboard.

Within a short time of the opening there were close on 200 children in the pool or its vicinity, while the younger kiddies thoroughly enjoyed splashing around in the paddling pool set beneath the rock face over which there has been controversy in past months. A delightful feature of the paddling pool is the central sandstone pillar down which the water cascades in a very attractive manner. On the flag bedecked terrace there were a large number of spectators who not only watched the swimmers with interest but were able to enjoy the hot sunshine that graced the event.

It was a great moment. To some - those who have battled to have the pool established - it was a proud moment. To others - the critics of the pool - it was undoubtedly a perplexing moment. Certainly their trumpets have been muted at the sight of so many happy youngsters splashing around in the pool - an immaculate swimming centre which should be a great attraction in the coming months and years."

Another article reported that Harrison's public dunking was not his first time in the new pool. He'd "availed himself of the opportunity to have a swim" when the new pool was first filled for testing. The article went on to heap glowing praise on Harrison for his work as chair of the entertainments committee for the good of Peel. 45 years on he's still doing excellent work for Peel, including as the Treasurer of Peel Heritage Trust.

By the end of the first season the papers were reporting success. "20,000 in New Swimming Pool" was the headline. An average of 200 a day had used the pool. Of the total there were 11,000 children, five thousand adults, and if you're wondering who could make up the remainder, they were spectators!

Back now to 2004, it is clear many people still have fond memories for the old pool, and, with only the mildest coaxing, agreed to put pen to paper to share them with us. In our summer newsletter you can read about Dot Tilbury's recollections of regular bus rides from Crosby for swimming and boys, Alison Cowin's (nee Gell) memories of galas, synchronised swimming with pink flowery hats, inner tubes and mangles!, and Sharon Watterson was inspired to put her thoughts into verse. If these spur your own memories, do get in touch.

Chris Littler

Photographs from Harrison Quirk's collection:

Commissioners at the opening of the pool

Harrison gets a ducking

The opening day

The first season ticket

When someone mentions Heritage, thoughts spring to mind for many people, of old buildings, trams and rail- ways. These do form a major part of what has been handed down to us by our ancestors - but is there some-thing more?

Heritage comes to us via people; artists, writers and crafts-men. Heritage can be read in stories and poetry - T E Brown comes to mind - and viewed in paintings, sculpture and articles of craft. These things remain; we can read the books and look at the pictures and they are at hand for anyone who wishes to explore them. They cannot be erased. Yet there is one form of Heritage which is in danger of being lost and, at best, remaining as a memory of days gone by. This is the Heritage of customs and traditions. As more and more people from other parts of the world come to live on the Island they can view the buildings, read the books and look at the pictures, if they wish to do so, but the continuation of Manx customs which marked the various seasons cannot be taken for granted.

Take two examples - it is about three years since Peel had a community Hop-tu-Naa party and last Boxing Day was the first for many years when people did not gather at the Longhouse for Hunt the Wren competitions. Of course individual children have continued to go round the houses on 31st October with their turnip lanterns and through the streets on Boxing Day carrying a traditional Bush, but the big celebration appeared to be on the way out.

It is a sophisticated age; our children are computer experts; they play on the internet; they have a wide choice of television channels. So is there any demand for the old ways? Happily the answer is yes. In October 2002 the community Hop-tu-Naa party was revived. There were fears that nobody would come. In the event the annexe of the Corrin Hall was packed with children and parents. Some had difficulty getting through the door, so large was the gathering. It was a very simple affair - decorated turnip lanterns, fancy dress (maybe a modern development of the old festival) and the singing of the Hop-tu-Naa song - in its many versions. There was also an opportunity to snatch a bite from apples suspended on a clothes line. Everyone appeared to enjoy an hour and a half of traditional fun. However, the organisers could be described as somewhat elderly; so come on young people of Peel.

Take up the challenge and do not let these customs die away. Strike a blow for this precious form of Heritage - it’s all about people. It is also all about Peel. It’s about being
Manx.

Jennifer Leece

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A BUSY HARBOUR

Last year was probably the busiest the harbour had been for many years with regular visits from the large boats working on the gas pipeline. Some of these were truly enormous! Although we won’t be seeing these boats again this year, the harbour will still be extremely busy with work soon to start on the bridge and water retention scheme. It seems a shame that the wading birds will not be seen in the harbour once the scheme is complete and that in future we will only see one view of the harbour - full of water.

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MEMORIES OF THE MARINE HALL
from issue 24, spring 2002, by Pam Quine

It was with a certain sadness that I watched the demise of the Marine Hall. It had played quite a part in my youth, and many a good time I had there. One of my earliest memories concerns the 'Talent Competitions' which were held regularly throughout the summer months. People would come from far and wide to take part and it was considered quite an achievement to win one of these. There would be a section for adults and another for children. Never having had the nerve to get up and perform voluntarily in public, I appreciated other people’s efforts. A group of us used to go along to support the brave souls who did take part, but sad to say we, more often than not, ended up having a fit of the giggles. Most of the competitors sang, but some recited or performed magic. The judges were usually visitors on holiday in Peel. The small children would lisp their way through a nursery rhyme or do a little dance, much to the delight of doting mums. I wonder how many budding film stars made their debut there?

Dances were held there too, and many a Peel girl met her future husband or boy-friend there.

The RAF cadets, who were stationed at Jurby, woul d hire a coach and come to our dances and most of them were able to dance and they certainly livened things up. In those days all the girls would sit on one side of the room and all the men on the other, eyeing each other up. A man would approach the lady of his choice and ask if he might have the pleasure of her company to dance, whereupon she would accept (if she liked the look of him) or beat a hasty retreat to the loo. One particular gent we all dreaded dancing with had two left feet, and he wore patent leather shoes which caused us to have sore feet for days afterwards.

One particular dance band, which shall be nameless, used to disappear to the Creg Malin in the interval and half an hour would go by before someone had to go over and remind them to come back! For these dances the girls wore draw-string blouses and dirndl skirts over very stiff petticoats. We all thought we were Marilyn Monroe. The Peel girls were good at jiving, twisting and rock and roll, but we also had waltzes, fox-trots and quick-steps, Gay-Gordons and the conga, to name but a few. One memory I have of these dances was at the time when hooped skirts were fashionable. You had to stand up all the time, because if you sat down, the front would ride up and if you bent over, the back would come up, showing more than you intended!

Later, when the swimming pool was built, the hall was used for more general purposes. There was a small cafe selling soft drinks, tea, coffee, crisps, ice-cream and sweets. What more could you want? Bathing beauty competitions were held by the poolside and one local lady, Ann Corrin, regularly won. I’ve often wondered what happened to her. The competitions to choose the Lifeboat Princess and the Carnival Princess were very popular and Mrs Katharine Brown and her husband Maurice were asked to judge one year. It was usual for strangers to be asked to judge because they did not know the people involved.

Another form of entertainment was the annual Fashion Parade. To take part in this you had to dress up and parade up and down Michael Street hoping to catch the eye of a judge. If you were lucky enough to be picked you had to attend the grand final that night in the Marine Hall. The overall winner was then chosen.

At a later date tables were brought into the hall for table tennis and this was popular for a while.

Up until recently the Old Time dancers held their sessions there and if the weather was bad, the car boot sales too were allowed inside. I’m not sure if it was ever used as the venue for the youth club. Perhaps a reader would enlighten me. So you see - the Marine Hall has had its uses over the years and even though it was at the far end of the prom people still supported it. My friend Mrs Helen Moore reminded me that the Sheeagh Ladies’ Choir had their Christmas festivities there with tree, lights, decorations and presents. It is so sad that recently, the only pleasure youths have had concerning the hall is to throw stones at the windows, purely for the kick of breaking the windows and vandalising it.

I hope you have enjoyed reading this as much as I have writing it and, if you have had any experiences you would like to share with us, or any particular memories please contact me on Peel 842234. We would also like to see any snaps you may have of events that have taken place there.

It has been a sad ending for a popular and memorable place of entertainment.

Pam Quine

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In the late 1950s, Rock and Roll hit Peel. These were the really good times for me. I loved the music and Jock Davidson and his Band would have the whole place on its feet. My boyfriend at that time was Colin Gerrard (last year we celebrated our Ruby anniversary). He was Rock and Roll mad as well and we soon had a great routine going. We won a heat in the Marine Hall for an all Island competition and in the finals held in the Villa Marina, we came second. I think the year was 1958. I wonder if there are any photographs of that night, around?.

In the early sixties, Dance and Swim nights were very popular, and all fuelled on Sunfresh!! About this time, Colin and I were involved with Peel Swimming Club. Alex Jackson was a member and her very supportive mother, Norah, was on the committee. She persuaded a few of us to form a Syncro Swimming team and I remember long hours in Nobles Baths (now long gone) practising the routines.

The night we actually swam in the pool in Peel was great, the Marine Hall was packed, everyone came out to watch and lots of people went onto the headlands to get a skeet, my partents included! Has anyone got any photographs of those nights? I think there were three performances altogether.

In 1964 the Peel Ladies Football Supporters Committee was formed and I was one of the members. We were organising an Easter Monday dance at a committee meeting held in May Tear’s house in North View and were having trouble deciding on a band. Around this time the ‘Liverpool sound’ was in full swing and I suggested (a bit tongue in cheek) that we get a group over from Liverpool to play in the Marine Hall.

Everyone thought it was a great idea and before I knew what was happening Edna Middleton and I were in the phone box outside May’s house talking to an agent in Liverpool! He agreed to send over a group called ‘The Big Three’. I can remember we all got really stressed because we had to charge 10 shillings (50p) a head to cover expenses. We needn’t have worried, it was a great success and the Marine Hall was packed to bursting, with as many people outside as in, all dancing to the Mersey sound! I was told it was so loud you could hear it at Spit Corner. I don’t think Peel or the Marine Hall had ever seen or heard anything like ‘The Big Three’ and they did go on to great things on the Liverpool music scene.

Yes, the Marine Hall holds loads of fun memories for me and many others in my age bracket. I do feel sad that our gradchildren do not have a safe and friendly place like the Marine Hall to do their growing up in, as lots of the friendships formed and the romances started then are still going strong today.

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The fate of Corlett's Warehouse
from issue 22

The existing warehouse has been looking very sad for a long time, clearly a case of a building which has outlived its use as a grain storage facility. Many people have been concerned, because surrounding buildings and houses have been painted and smartened up (like many parts of the town) that the warehouse has been passed by. This seems to emphasise the sense of neglect it has now acquired. Whilst people are glad that at last ‘something is being done’ with the building, demolition is drastic to say the least. If it is demolished, the Viking Longhouse will be the only quayside warehouse remaining in Peel.

It was interesting to speak to Mr Harry Kelly, whose father and grandfather worked in the Station Place warehouse. It was, before the early 1960s called the warehouse of W.Kelly and Sons, Seed Merchant, an enterprise which ceased trading 40 years ago. It was then sold to the Corlett family and it has been known as Corlett’s Warehouse ever since. According to Harry the whole building was buzzing with activity when he was a boy.

On the ground floor, level with Station Place, fertilisers were stored in the back rooms and animal feeds in the front area. General seed storage of wheat, barley and oats occupied the first floor and access was gained from Station Road.

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