CRT130LEI/57

Notes on history of Spinney Pool, Billington Road and adjoining Fir Banks Pit arising from conversation with Raymond Vivian Willis.

17 December 1991

From: 1991 To: 1991

old accession number 11486

A large sand pit on the Billington Road was filled with spring water in 1921 and created a pool approx 3-400 x 50yards, 30feet deep which became the home of the Leighton Buzzard Swimming Club. It was developed and in 1922 the National Championships of the ASA were held there. In 1931 the owners of the land, sand merchants Joseph Arnold, offered it for sale and public subscription resulted in the formation of the Spinney Pool Company. By 1942, following construction of the Battlesden Pumping Station, the water level had dropped too far and dereliction set in. Fir Banks Pit adjoined the pool. It was bought by Mr Firbanks in 1832. Sand from there was used in construction of the LNWR at and near Leighton Buzzard, including the railway station. The resultant large pit filled with water and was used for fishing. After the second world war London CC used it as a rubbish dump and filled the pit.

item

Willis, Raymond Vivien,
Firbanks

LEIGHTON BUZZARD, swimming pool, Spinney Pool Company, Leighton Buzzard Swimming Club, sand, railways, waste disposal