THIS picture shows Temple Cowley Pool in Oxford in happier times.

It was taken at a fun day in January 1987 to mark the completion of a £3m refurbishment.

Now, as we have reported, a quarter of a century later, the pool is facing closure, to be replaced by a new leisure complex at Blackbird Leys.

The photograph shows youngsters enjoying them-selves on a giant inflatable whale.

Temple Cowley Pool opened in 1938 and thousands of Oxford schoolchildren have learned to swim there.

Many readers will remember being taught by that indomitable instructor, Mollie Bateson.

The pool reopened after its major refit on November 1, 1987 and proved an instant hit with swimmers and keep fit fanatics.

Between then and the fun day in late January the following year, more than 42,000 people flocked there.

Our sister paper, The Oxford Times, reported: “Temple Cowley Pool threw open its doors to an action-packed day of fun and games to mark the official opening of the £3m complex.

“The fun got off to a colourful start when the Lord Mayor, John Parker, and Nigel Thomas, chairman of the city council’s recreation and amenities committee, cut a rope sending 200 balloons into the water.”

Now, after 75 years’ service to the city, Temple Cowley Pool will soon become part of Oxford’s history.