‘The Hospital with Everything’
The headline in the Kent Messenger on 22 September 1961 describes the wonderful addition of a swimming pool for staff at Benenden Hospital.
At a cost of £3,000, the 50 x 20 ft pool was opened by Frank Cousins the then secretary of the Transport and General Workers Union.
Staff Effort
Over £600 towards the cost has been raised by staff themselves, by means of concerts, sweepstakes and fetes. The opening ceremony was captured in these photographs and reported in the local press.
Formal Open, Frank Cousins and Cyril Plant
Formal Opening of Swimming Pool
As life at the Hospital changed, the pool was used less and eventually closed about 7 years ago.
Benenden Heritage Project - Remembering the Past - Securing the Future 