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152 year-old swimming medal returned to Bath

More than 150 years after it was won a silver swimming medal has been returned to the Cleveland Pools. The medal was awarded in 1862 to 16-year-old Brodrick S Warner, and was returned to the Cleveland Pools Trust after the owner a television programme on the restoration project. It was made specially for a swimming presentation and was handcrafted by J & J Williams from Bristol. The medal was presented by Mr W Evans, who was an eccentric Victorian swimming instructor and caretaker of the pools. He liked to be called Captain Evans, and was reported to attract large crowds by enacting daring feats. At the time The Bath Chronicle reported on one such feat, saying: "Amongst other eccentricities, Mr Evans would have himself hoisted up to 100ft above the pool to dive into 7ft of water, wearing a tall hat to protect his head." The Cleveland Pools trustees are now looking at how this important find can help towards the restoration costs. Next April they will find out if they have been successful with their bid to secure Heritage Lottery funding. Trustee Ina Harris said: "It is no doubt due to the recent publicity that the medal has been brought to our attention and we want to make even more people aware of the existence of the pools so that we can raise the funds needed to open it as a venue again. "Our aim is to have the Pools firmly put back on the Bath map.". Three teenagers from St Gregory's Catholic College are the latest to show their support for the pools. Declan O'Donoghue, 14, Finbar Donovan-Murphy, 15, and Matthew Osborne, 14, are helping out at the pools as part of their Duke of Edinburgh awards. Nicknamed The Lido Lads they have been helping with physical work at the site, including clearing debris and litter picking. They also ran a fun day last year to telling people about the pools. Declan said: "I found out about the Cleveland pools because of my ambition to obtain my Duke of Edinburgh award. "However I have since found an interest in the pools personally as I would love to help in the restoration of the only open air Lido in Bath. "We have helped to clear up around the pools, and organised a fun day to raise awareness." Finbar is a keen swimmer, and his mother and uncle both swam in the pools as youngsters." To find out more about the pools visit www.clevelandpools.org.uk.

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152 year-old swimming medal returned to Bath


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