A YEAR ago today, Bridgwater's Splash swimming pool closed its doors for the final time.

Tomorrow's Mercury includes a special feature on the anniversary, and here, we round-up the views of some of those closely connected with Bridgwater's much-loved and sorely missed pool.

Angela Tarr, a member of the Save Our Splash group, who last year gathered more than 5,000 signatures on a petition to save the pool, used to swim at the Splash nearly every day, but now has to make the journey to Taunton Pool.

She said: “I've lost contact with a lot of friends, as some people now go to Burnham, some go to Brean, others go to Street.

“I used to be tearful when I saw the Splash site. I've got over that now but I still feel angry because the council shouldn't have demolished the pool until we had somewhere else to swim.”

Splash manager Sue Duddridge worked at the pool from its opening in 1991 until the day it closed, and admits she has been “dreading” the anniversary of its closure.

She said: “For the last couple of weeks the memories have been flooding back. The staff at the Splash were like a family - we still get together now and again but people move on and you lose contact.”

Sue has been unemployed since the Splash closed, and says she is still angry at Sedgemoor District Council for taking away the pool and her job.

She said: “Every time I drive past the site I swear at the council, and if I forget to swear, I make sure I swear twice the next time!”

Membership of Bridgwater Swimming Club has fallen from around 400 to about 180 since the Splash closed.

Some members have found it hard to get to the club's new base at Quantock Lodge, but the club has also suffered as a result of losing its Learn to Swim programme, as part of the deal which saw it move to the Over Stowey pool.

Swimming club chairman Karen Gibbs said: “We're looking forward to the new pool at Chilton Trinity. We want to come back home to Bridgwater and build up our membership again.”

For more details about Bridgwater Swimming Club, click on the link by this story.

And use the comment form below to have your say on the one-year anniversary of the Splash closure.