FOR many families, it’s a summer treat. And it’s been that way for generations, although its use as a lake for model boats has since fallen by the wayside.
This week, Christchurch Meadows paddling pool celebrates a landmark birthday. And appropriately for a site that is synonymous with treats, it’s a 99.
While the 99 ice cream wasn’t a thing back in 1924 – it was invented later in the decade – we’re grateful to our Edwardian forebears who had the foresight to create a Reading institution.
Our predecessor, the Reading Standard, contained a report about the opening in its June 7, 1924 edition. The ceremony included model boats as the initial idea for the pool came from a group dedicated to sailing these pint-sized models in the water and, well, the River Thames wasn’t quite the right place and radio controlled boats were still the realms of science fiction.
It was presided over by the then mayor of Reading, Alderman FA Cox – and on a Monday evening too.
The Reading Standard noted: “(It was) in the presence of a large assembly of all ages – for the adults, were there in strong force and seemed quite as joyful over their new possession as the juveniles.”
It continued: “The opening ceremony was by no means a dry-as-dust formal speech-making affair. It was marked by an imposing display – not of paddling – but of craft of all descriptions, all affording testimony to the skill and ingenuity of the members of the Reading Society of Model and Experimental Engineers and the Model Boat Club.”
The ceremony also included a balloon-bursting competition. These were placed ‘mid-ocean’ and were the target of crafts of all sorts and sizes, armed with knitting needles.
“The balloons for a time had really a charmed life” the reporter noted, as the intended destruction took a bit longer than planned.
Christchurch Meadows itself was also quite different back then. A 1941 image currently in the Reading Museum collection shows some of the trees, but also a big open space – the Loch Ness Monster and other play equipment had yet to arrive, and the pedestrian bridge didn’t arrive until 2015.
But it was also hugely popular with families looking for a way to stay cool in the summer sunshine, even during the Second World War.
As well as the play area next to the pool, facilities include sport pitches, picnic tables and plenty of open spaces. Today, it’s often pressed into use for special events, with ReadiPop coming over the weekend of July 14-16. This year’s line-up includes Sleeper, Jungle Brothers, Professor Green, Roni Size, Snapped Ankles and MF Tomlinson, among many others.
But for youngsters it is the pool that is the main attraction, and it reopened for the summer season last weekend.
A big change this year is that it is now operated by GLL, who run Reading’s leisure centres including Rivermead and Palmer Park. This, it is hoped, will get around some times last year when the site had to close.
It is open seven days a week. During term times it is 11am to 5pm on weekdays, and 10am to 6pm on weekdays. During school holidays, it is 10am to 6pm every day.
Ready to greet the refurbished site on Saturday was Cllr Adele Barnett-Ward, Reading’s Lead Councillor for Leisure and Culture, who was thrilled it was ready in time for half-term.
“We pulled out all the stops to get the Christchurch Meadows paddling pool open in time for the half-term and it was fantastic to see so many families out enjoying the pool this sunny bank holiday weekend,” she said.
“The paddling pool will be open daily and remains free to use so we are all set for summer fun. Excitingly, we’ve discovered the paddling pool will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2024 – so this year’s opening is a perfect 99.”
