A FEW months ago the Star reported on proposals to replace the Parr Swimming and Fitness Centre with what was described as a "state-of-the-art leisure complex". Hopefully, the council's plans – which include a new Saints training centre – will come to fruition far swifter than the first Parr baths.

That, would you believe, took 40 years to be built! And the construction in Recreation Street only happened after a remarkable demonstration of Parr people power that forced the Town Council into making a U-turn.

It had been during the mid-1930s at election rallies that Margaret Shard promised to fight to have baths built in her new council constituency in Parr.

Then the war intervened and despite Councillor Shard becoming the town's first female mayor in 1945, post-war austerity meant there was no cash to make her vision a reality.

St Helens Star: Parr Baths exterior in 1975Parr Baths exterior in 1975 (Image: St Helens Archive Service)

It took until 1963 before work began on designing the new pool and in January 1965 one local newspaper reported that the long wait was nearly over: "A £300,000 luxury swimming baths accommodating 500 bathers and with tiered seating for 300 spectators is to be built at Parr…The project will mean the end of a seven-mile journey to Widnes each week for scores of Parr swimmers."

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However, the government refused St Helens Corporation the necessary sanction to borrow the cash needed to build the baths as they considered the project too expensive. But it was still hoped that the scheme could be funded through other means.

In 1968 letters appeared in local newspapers criticising the lack of progress. But what really triggered the fury of Parr residents was a report in July 1969 that the council had plumped for a 9-hole golf course in Sherdley Park rather than the long-promised pool.

The decision had been taken on financial grounds as the golf course could be built for £63,000, with the baths estimated at costing £500,000 (around £10m in today's money). But the people of Parr had had enough of delays and excuses and on July 10th 1969, dozens of angry parents and children staged a rain-soaked three-mile walk to the Town Hall to protest against the decision.

St Helens Star: Foundation stone that Alderman Arthur Luther laid in 1973Foundation stone that Alderman Arthur Luther laid in 1973 (Image: Stephen Wainwright)

The Cherry Tree Drive Flats Tenants Association had collected 4,000 signatures for a petition and promised they would "not be fobbed off by dross talk from the authorities".

Their member Isabella Harrison told the local press: "By all means have a golf course – but not at the expense of the kiddies. They are the most important members of our society. There are plenty of pubs in St Helens. Now they are refusing to build a baths for the kids. Instead they're making a golf course – another amenity for adults. The little ones have nothing at all. The council have put people on these estates in Parr and forgotten about them."

Organiser Richard Coulburn claimed that since 1963 fourteen children had drowned in the canal at the Hotties and in the local Parr flash. "Where can they go to swim?", he asked. "You have to queue hours at Boundary Road baths. When you do finally get in, who can enjoy a 20-minute swim?"

Stung by the criticism the council quickly announced they were setting up a subcommittee to draw up plans for a smaller scheme at Parr costing £250,000. In response Richard Coulburn said: "We are pleased, but shan't be satisfied until we see the plans in black and white. The half-million pounds estimate was for an Olympic-style pool, but we will be happy with a smaller one."

It was almost three years later before designs were finalised and the cash allocated, allowing Alderman Arthur Luther, the chairman of the council's Works Committee, to say: "I'm delighted to announce that we can now go ahead and this time we have the Sports Council's backing. The scheme has had a chequered history because of money troubles but I hope that this is the end of it. The pool will be 33 metres long and should be a great asset to the town."

And on July 24th 1975 Councillor Peggy McNamara, the then Mayor, officially opened the new pool. Inflation had increased the cost to £374,000. It would have cost a lot less in 1935!

Stephen Wainwright's latest book 'The Hidden History Of St Helens Vol 2' is available from the St Helens Book Stop in Bridge Street and online from eBay and Amazon. Volume 1 of 'Hidden History' is also still available