Ref: W.S. Darter- "Reminiscences of Reading" edited by Daphne Phillips P 75/76

1843

"I think it is very likely there is good places for bathing in Reading, and in the days of my boyhood the most popular with us youngsters were the swing bridge (the approach by Blake's Wharf), the "Little Corner" situated about half-way between the playground at Dr Valpy's and the Lock Pool in the King's Meadow, and a place for expert swimmers, a place about a hundred yards from the Pound Keepers until the new bathing house was erected there there was no safe for young people to acquire the art of swimming.

During my boyhood the King's meadow was held by Mr Jonathan Tanner, a brewer in Castle Street. he was one of the few I remember to have worn powdered hair with a pig-tail and also hessian Boots.

For many years the King's Meadow continued in the occupation of Mr Tanner.

Until recently, Reading with an approximate population of 27,000 inhabitants had no baths where Ladies could learn the art of swimming, and it entirely owing to the enterprise spirit of Mr W.H. Simonds, a builder of South Street, that this necessity had been provided. I'm sure he had the hearty good wishes of us all that it may prove a success. if it were not that the Corporation, as a Saniotary Authority, have already too much business on hand, I, for one, should have thought it was the duty of such a body to provide an establishment of this kind, especialy as they have not only control over the supply of water but the price to be paid for it....."