Littlehampton pool is legacy of tireless campaigner Doreen

She was the driving force behind the campaign, which had a successful conclusion when the Littlehampton Swimming Centre opened in 1983.

It was the death of a 12-year-old boy, who drowned after falling off the town’s old swing bridge over the River Arun, which convinced Doreen of the need for a pool, together with the realisation that many children were unable to swim, and most adults had no life-saving skills.

Littlehampton Urban District Council and its successor Arun District Council initially showed little enthusiasm for a pool, but Doreen enlisted the support of key figures and the tide turned.

She also founded the Littlehampton Swimming Pool Association to raise funds for the project, and when Arun finally opened its £1.8m swimming complex in March, 1983, the £27,000 in the group’s coffers went towards equipment for the centre. Its work done, the association was disbanded.

However, far from resting on her laurels, Doreen went on to be involved with founding Littlehampton Swimming Club and, later, the Arun Dolphins Swimming Club for the Disabled.

Former Littlehampton mayor Malcolm Belchamber was a leading member of the association and spent many a Boxing Day shivering in the sea for fund-raising dips.

He said: “Had it not been for Doreen, we wouldn’t have had a swimming pool. She was such a driving force – for years, she hassled, harried and bothered all the councillors who would listen to her.”

Doreen died peacefully at her son Bill’s home in Salisbury on August 8. She had been living there since September and, although no longer able to walk, she twice went swimming in her last few months, and only the day before died was playing the piano and singing songs – folk music was another of her passions, playing the accordion and fiddle.

As well as, Bill, a retired classical musician, Doreen leaves a daughter, Susan, a retired doctor in Australia, four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

The funeral has taken place in Salisbury, but a memorial service is expected to be held at the Littlehampton Friends’ Meeting House in the autumn.

* A fuller tribute is in this week’s Littlehampton Gazette (August 23 issue).