Usually a 90th birthday celebration is the time to start slowing down, but as Pudsey Leisure Centre prepares to celebrate the milestone, events are speeding up! writes Keely Bannister.
On Saturday 8th June from 12pm, you are invited to “discover the old memories and help make some new ones” at the centre on Market Place.
There will be a day of free fun with activities, including a swing band, tea dance, arts and crafts for children and the chance to try different fitness classes through taking part in taster sessions.
Pudsey and District Civic Society will also be present at the event with a display of photographs featuring Pudsey baths and leisure centre.
The photos might give reference to the laying of the foundation stone for the leisure centre, known originally as Pudsey Baths, in April 1928 by the then King George VI and his wife Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, during what was believed to be the first royal visit to Pudsey.
The photos may well illustrate that the pool, which reportedly cost £12,000 to build, is still in its original position today despite the more recent extensions to the centre which house the gym equipment and sports courts etc.
They might also pay tribute to the bands that played at the pool in the 60s, or the dances that took place – all will be revealed on the day!
Pudsey’s Dawn Seary recently reinstated the Pudsey Coat of Arms on the front of the leisure centre ready for the 90th birthday celebrations
While we all wait to see what memories will be revealed on the big day, we would like you to share your memories and pictures with us. Whether you went swimming or dancing at Pudsey baths, or whether you improved your fitness by joining in a zumba class; please e-mail us your stories for us to share on news@westleedsdispatch.com.
_______________
While you’re here…
Producing your daily dose of West Leeds Dispatch comes at a cost!
There’s the hosting of the website you’re reading now, running our popular e-mail newsletter, membership of independent press regulator Impress, attending summer events, paying for equipment etc etc.
We need at least £200 a month just to break even – that’s money currently coming out of the pockets of dedicated volunteers who are passionate about what’s happening in our communities, connecting you with local groups and organisations as well as holding decision-makers to account and championing local issues.
And all that’s BEFORE we even think about paying something for people’s time – for instance, our editor puts in more than 24 hours a week in his ‘spare’ time to ensure The Dispatch publishes daily.
To put it bluntly, after nearly four years of daily publishing, we are not sustainable!
And we need YOUR help to continue …
For the cost of less than a couple of cups of coffee you can help support local community news and continue to give our communities a voice by taking out a subscription for just £4 per month (that’s just a pound a week).
As a thanks you’ll get your name on a roll of honour on our website. More importantly you will be enabling us to keep bringing you the news that matters about your neighbourhood.
Achieving a bedrock of supporters will give us a firm financial footing and help us plan for the future.
Supporting us couldn’t be easier…
Just follow this link.
or set up a standing order with your bank:
Contact us on Paywestleedsdispatch@gmail.com if you’d like to do this.
Over to you …
