'Testing the waters' as gents pool reopens

Tuesday 06 February 2018

Four years to the day from the 'great storm' which damaged the area, the gents bathing pool at La Vallette was officially reopened by the Bailiff; Sir Richard Collas

At the official opening local 'celebrity' swimmers; Adrian Sarchet and Roger Allsopp, were first to dive in during seasonal cold weather.

The Bailiff said: "On such a cold day it is great to have such a warm welcome from the La Vallette Legacy team and all those responsible for restoring the pools. It is testament to the affection islanders have for this place that this project has been finished. I learnt to swim here at the ladies pools and it was the centre of the island, where people met. I was told that if the pools were being rebuilt today it would cost in excess of £2m."

The work started in 2015 when the La Vallette Legacy Team was formed, under the umbrella of Floral Guernsey, to carry out restoration work aimed at returning the entire area to its Victorian splendour. Hundreds of volunteers, along with donated goods and services, have seen the overgrown woodland cut back, viewing points rediscovered, art deco benches installed and the Victorian raised garden completely replanted.

The volunteers say the total cost of the work done so far is estimated to be around £200,000. The States put up £13,000 to pay for steel railings around the pools while private and corporate donations along with fundraising events have paid for the rest of the work. 

Pictured: Adrian Sarchet in the yellow swimming cap, with fellow swimmers and Roger Allsopp behind in red cap

Pictured: Roger Allsopp after the swim

Pictured: Adrian Sarchet after the swim

At the opening of the pool The Bailiff invited Adrian Sarchet (sea donkey) and Roger Allsop to be first to take to the water. Following the swim Mr Sarchet said: "That was lovely! It is so good that an integral part of Guernsey's swimming heritage has been restored. "

Fellow swimmer, Roger Allsopp aged 76, said: "I am doing this to represent all the older generation who love swimming. It is great to see this place restored after four years. The community getting together for the fundraising proves that Guernsey really is the best place to live."

Pat Johnson, chairman of the fundraising committee said: "It was heartbreaking to see the damage after the storm four years ago with the outer wall breached and boulders in the pool. It is an iconic place for so many who spent their childhood here and we are delighted to have restored this special place. There were 600 volunteers who helped clean up after the storm and over the last four years many people who have donated both time and money towards the project. I am grateful to everyone who has helped. M & S Engineering led by Chris Machon have done an amazing job and I must thank him personally for being an honourable man and fixing a price from the beginning to which he honoured, we are going for a drink together later."

The work has been challenging because of the weather and whilst the pool is open now the final gloss will be put on in April when its hoped the weather will be better for the work to take place.

Pictured top: The gent's pool, inset, the Bailiff opening the gates.