THE days when miners had to go for a swim in the River Ore were recalled when Bowhill Pool's 50th anniversary was celebrated on Thursday.

The pool, that was built through local miners making contributions from their weekly wage, allowed people in the ABCD community to enjoy a swim on their doorstep rather than having to travel many miles, was opened on February 21 1969 and Thursday's celebration took place on February 21.

The Fife Sports and Leisure Trust now run the pool, next door to Bowhill Centre, and they organised a special event which included many people who have been connected with the facility since it opened.

A special birthday cake, designed on the lay out of the five lane pool, was cut and the guests enjoyed a piece while old stories about how Cardenden Amateur Swimming Club took up residence there and has gone on to teach thousands of children to swim.

Bob Martin was the first pool attendant at the then brand new facility in February 1969 and he recalled: "The changing accommodation was a little Spartan in those days and each person had to collect their basket to put their clothes in. I think we had 119 baskets.

"But what a difference the new pool made for before that CASC members had to travel to Alloa or Dunfermline to train."

Tom Slaven has been connected with Bowhill Pool for all of the 50 years and was delighted to play a part in a Swimming Club pamphlet that traced the history of the pool.

The publication recalled: "Bowhill Colliery was sunk in 1894 and miners liked to swim, but there were few pools so people used to have to go into the River Ore.

"The Ore was dammed in four places and around 1920 many miners and their families used these to learn to swim. There were no bouyancy aids and reeds were used to keep the learners afloat!

"Around 1959 Andrew Johnstone, John Martin and others used to hire Moffat's buses to take them to pools at Perth, Alloa, Dunfermline and Arbroath.

"Land training was carried out on benches at the Old Miners Institute near the cemetery and also at the Wallsgreen Pavilion.

"A decision was taken to raise funds to build a pool and dances were held while whist drives were organised by the Woman's Guild and catered for by the Co-op and up to 250 people attended. Then around 1960 Andrew Johnstone, John Martin and others asked miners to collect pennies from the pay.

"The collieries involved were Bowhill, Dundonald, Brigghills and Kinglassie. Bowhill closed in 1965 and the others soon followed but £7,000 was collected and the Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation donated a further £3,000 and Fife County Council paid the rest.

"The total cost of the pool was £47,000 and it opened in February 1969 with Andrew Johnstone swimming the first length.

"From that day on CASC has taught many thousands of children to swim and still continue to this day on a voluntary basis."

The pamphlet recalled that over the years many characters and champions have emerged including Geordie Wotherspoon, who was known as the coach for the Wee Yins, and Gary Watson, who swum for Scotland in the Commonwealth Games. Andrew Brennan, meanwhile, went on to win seven gold medals at the Para Olympics in 1990.

The people who attended on Thursday were those who had enjoyed using the pool for many decades and the staff were delighted to invite them to have a cup of tea or coffee and biscuits before they also enjoyed the birthday cake.