No swimming - unless you were a dolphin at Horwich pool

LOCAL opinions were divided in September 1977 when Bolton's Park and Recreation Committee approved the staging of a money-spinning dolphin show in the swimming pool at Horwich Leisure Centre.

It meant the closing of the pool to the public for three weeks over the Christmas period instead of the usual one week for maintenance.

Concerns over health issues were raised by Coun Ernest Crook who said: "I can't equate having dolphins in the pool. They eat dead fish throughout their performance, and they go through the same natural processes as humans."

Coun Kevan Hornby said that the idea was 'thoroughly distasteful'. However, Mr. Geoffrey Schofield, Director of Parks and Recreation, said that the show would provide a potential income of between £1,000 and £7,000.

"It would be a tremendous attraction," he added. The intention was for the show to travel from Scarborough and for the pool water to be turned into sea water by the addition of salt. Afterwards, the pool would be cleaned out and refilled with chlorinated water for swimmers.

The 'Great Dolphin Debate' continued throughout September but at Horwich Town Council's Finance and General Purpose Committee meeting, most members were in favour of the idea.

Coun Alan Oakley said: "Although the use of the pool was being denied to swimmers for three weeks, those same people would still be able to visit for the dolphin display."

Coun Barrie Crumblehulme added: "I think it is an excellent idea. Many people in Horwich have told me that if it falls through, they will be extremely disappointed."

Coun Ron Parkinson added:" It is going to give the children of Horwich an opportunity to see something which the majority have never seen before."

Only Coun Mike Foster opposed the dolphin show saying: "Horwich waited 50 years for swimming baths and I don't really think we got it for fishes to swim about in. To deprive children of their swimming is totally out of order. The baths were put up for the use of the people of Horwich, not for dolphins – and that's the view of many I have heard."

At a meeting of Bolton Council on September 22, a convincing majority approved the plans to close the baths for three weeks to enable the dolphin show to be staged despite protests that the baths should only be used by human swimmers.

More than 1,000 children and parents had signed a petition calling for the show to go on.

Parks and Recreation Chairman, Coun Frank Rushton said: "The show is expected to attract about 10,000 visitors over the Christmas period, usually the slackest time of year for swimmers." '

Book now for the dolphin show, was the advice in The Journal on the November 18 as advanced bookings were being taken. About 800 seats, mostly in block bookings, had already been claimed for 'what promises to be the most exciting and unusual show to be seen in the area for many a long while'.

A big publicity scheme for the show was mounted by the Leisure Centre management who placed posters in various parts of the town and in schools, several of which made block bookings for up to 160 children. An exhibition in the foyer of the Leisure Centre with show sponsors, Warburton's Bakery, included a model dolphin mounted on a loaf, some 5 feet high gingerbread men and a map of the world showing the habitats of dolphins and general information about the species.

The dolphins and their supporting acts made their debut on Saturday, December 10. The shows were over a 12-day period with four performances each day at 1.30pm, 3.30pm, 6.30pm and 8.30pm. Tickets were 80p for adults and 40p for children.

Special souvenir brochures were sold at 20p each. A few days before the show commenced, 30 tons of sea salt were delivered to the Leisure Centre to turn the pool into a 'mini sea'.

Described as 'a delightful treat for all the family just before Christmas', the shows were well attended and proved popular with local people and those from further afield.

The stars of the shows were, of course, the dolphins, Flipper and Jenkie. They demonstrated a wide repertoire of tricks including high jumps, handshakes and tricks with propellers and footballs. Spectators sitting alongside the pool experienced a drenching when Flipper and Jenkie plunged into the water following their high jumps and several children enjoyed a nervous ride in a dingy towed one of the dolphins.

The team of performing sea lions added to the entertainment and Pharoh a green wing macaw, pleased the crowds with his scooter-riding act. Also there to greet the spectators was Lisa, a six-month-old lioness cub, who was patted and stroked by adoring children.

However, Lisa's visit wasn't without incident, as one unconfirmed story alleged that a member of the Leisure Centre staff had their finger 'nipped' by the lion.

Apparently the individual concerned had quite a job convincing the doctor that he had just been bitten by a lion!

The information about the dolphin show has been taken from The Horwich and Westhoughton Journals of 1977 which are available for viewing at the Horwich Heritage Centre.

If you have any memories of this event we'd love to feature them in Looking Back. Email john.anson@nqnw.co.uk