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WESTBURY Swimming Pool, one of the oldest working public swimming pools in Britain, is celebrating 125 years with a series of events in September. 
Westbury Swimming Baths were built by Westbury Mill owner W H Laverton to mark Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee. The foundation stone was laid in 1887 with the opening on 24 May 1888.
During the weekend of 7th and 8th September the pool will mark its anniversary year with swim sessions for a penny, a cake cutting ceremony, a public exhibition, free refreshments and free parking in the town.
Members of the public will be able to use the pool for the original admission fee of only one penny over the celebration weekend. Sessions on offer will include family fun swims, adult and lane swimming and an aqua fit taster session.
A public exhibition to commemorate the history of the swimming pool will be held in Laverton Hall from 2nd September to 8th September from 9.30am to 4.30pm. The exhibition will also commemorate The Laverton which celebrates its 140th anniversary on 11 September.
A leaflet has been produced which gives a brief history of the pool. 125 commemorative limited edition mugs for the swimming pool, and 140 for Laverton Hall, have also been produced. Pin badges to celebrate the anniversary will be available. Over the celebratory weekend free refreshments will be on offer to members of the public visiting the exhibition at Laverton Hall.
Visitors to the town will also be able to park for free in all Westbury car parks during the weekend (Warminster Road, High Street and opposite the Laverton Hall).
Wiltshire Council’s cabinet member for leisure, cllr Jonathan Seed said, “We are delighted to be commemorating the 125 years of Westbury Swimming Pool by offering ‘a penny a dip’ sessions. People will be able to park for free over the celebration weekend and visit the pool and the exhibition at Laverton Hall to enjoy this wonderful and historic community facility”.
A photo shoot and cake cutting ceremony will take place on the Saturday afternoon with invited guests.
The celebrations are being organised by Wiltshire Council, DC Leisure, Westbury Town Council and the Westbury Amateur Swimming Club.
Some swim activities require booking and there is limited availability. Contact Westbury Swimming Pool for more information on 01373 822891 or visit www.westburyswimmingpool.co.uk
