DERELICT SUNDAY

We had a great service at Church this morning, but because of the issues with my neck, we are no longer driving anywhere afterwards looking for dereliction, as with the state of the roads, it can be most uncomfortable, so we are having to look closer to home.

I had read yesterday that the diving board at Coate Water, a nearby Water Park, was being refurbished, so thought it would make a good shot for today’s DS Blip before the work was done.  The place was heaving with about 200 cars parked, so Mr. HCB just dropped me off so that I could go and take a few shots and then we came straight home.

Coate Water was created in the early 1820's as a headwater tank by the Wiltshire and Berkshire Canal Company and fed by a stream known as “the Dorcan”, hence the name of the area where we live.  

The sky was beautiful today - a perfect blue with white fluffy clouds - and in this shot, you can see the iconic Art Deco style diving platform.  However, it now has scaffolding all round it and hopefully, by the end of 12 weeks, will be restored to its former glory.  The diving platform was completed in 1935 and was in use until In 1958, when due to a public health and safety concern, swimming at Coate Water was forbidden so it has been out of use since - being used by birds and occasionally by teenagers obviously wanting to show off to their friends!  

According to an email I received from our Borough Council, this is the work that will be done : 

“A full environmental clean will take place and the crude and unsightly block-work walls to the lower level will be removed. Minor repairs will also be made to the concrete structure where needed, while new handrails will be added and security grilles will be installed to prevent access to the upper levels.  The diving board itself will be repainted and the flag pole which sits atop the Listed structure will be replaced.”

Chatting to Mr. HCB on the way home, he said he can remember going to watch diving displays when he was about 10 years old and in fact, the water park has always been a popular spot for a weekend jaunt for many families and obviously still is.  The café was doing a roaring trade - and perhaps when the refurbishment is completed, the Council will think about a new café building. 

There are many who feel that it is a waste of money to restore this, but as we both agreed, this is part of our town’s heritage and it will be good to see it restored.

“One's heritage and roots 
     is something to be proud of 
          and cherished.”
Sonja Morgan


P.S.  The SSG thanks you all for your very kind comments yesterday and said they are very happy to help with any chores - hopefully, I will soon be able to do them all myself!