People have been remembering a lost open air swimming pool that would have been the perfect place to cool off during the recent heatwave.
Earlier this week, a photograph was shared online of the once popular Rivacre open air pool in Ellesmere Port. The photo shared on Facebook by Cheshire Live attracted hundreds of comments.
According to the People's Pool website, Rivacre baths opened after seven people drowned while swimming in a nearby canal. This prompted the building of the baths on the outskirts of town, which opened on August 1, 1934.
READ MORE: Lost swimming baths loved by kids where you could also see real dolphins
READ MORE: Childhood memories of swimming baths and leisure centres we loved as kids
The attractive pool was set in large ornamental rose gardens with a diving platform, a café and a children's play area. Children are said to have enjoyed running underneath the cascading waters of the large fountains situated on the pool's outskirts.
The 1930s in the UK was a gold age for outdoor swimming pools with 169 built and maintained by local councils. Later in the 20th century, they started to close as foreign holidays became cheaper and the pools increasingly expensive to maintain.
Although Rivacre open air pool was popular for many years, it couldn't compete when an indoor pool with heated water was built nearby. The pool closed in 1981 and was demolished in 1985 with the site now part of the Rivacre Valley Country Park.
For more nostalgia stories, sign up to our Liverpool Echo newsletter here.
In its time, Rivacre lido attracted visitors from all over Cheshire, Merseyside and North Wales. When a photo of the pool was posted by Cheshire Live on their Facebook page this week, it brought back happy memories for many people.
Replying to the post, Cath Robinson said: "Loved Rivacre baths, never away from there in the summer x". Sue Jones commented: "Always freezing cold but on a day like today that would have been sheer bliss."
Posting about fond memories of her own childhood, Jenny Aston said: "I practically lived there every summer. I had a 14 shilling season ticket which allowed you unlimited access to the pool and locker room.
"I lived very close to it and my primary school was just across the road from it. It was a great place to meet up with friends. Used to spend the whole day there in holidays."
Join our Liverpool memories and history Facebook group here.
Gill Davies commented: "Oh the hours I spent there, straight home from school and then to the baths! A bag of chips on the way home (6d) my season ticket cost 14/6d, well worth the money. Happy days xx".
Mary Scott said the sight of the nostalgic photo almost brought her to tears. Mary posted: "I lived a quarter of a mile from Rivacre Baths. We lived there when we were kids.
"Come rain or shine, swimming in the unheated water was great, especially on rainy day. So many happy memories, I could have cried when I saw this post."
While Colin Jones said: "Good old Rivacre baths, spent everyday there in the summer of 1976 heatwave. [A] great place to grow up - sarnies and a bottle of orange juice. Sometimes used to bunk in behind the toilets - great times, great memories."
READ NEXT:
- Forgotten Merseyside coal mine where many workers lost their lives
- Liverpool city centre sun traps loved by sunbathing workers but some lost forever
- How Merseysiders coped with scorching temperatures during 'apocalyptic' heatwave of 1976
- Liverpool's lost floating nightclub where clubbers spent 'many a good night'
- 11 things you could do in 1980s Wirral that you can't do now
