Popular Melksham man remembered for Blue Pool years

Residents have shared memories of Melksham stalwart Alfie Sparks, best known for his decades overseeing the town’s open-air Blue Pool, who died last month aged 95.

Alfie was well known to a generation of Melksham residents who spent their summers at the Blue Pool during the 1960s, 70s and 80s, where he worked alongside his wife Joyce for 26 years supervising swimmers and running the popular facility.

Resident Sue Mortimer said, “The Melksham children of the 1960s absolutely loved spending their summer holidays at ‘his’ open air pool. I know because I was one who spent my summer holidays, for years, there.

“Alfie Sparks was a legend. He was respected by us all. He was firm but fair and always knew just what to let us kids get away with and of course what not to! I look back with fond memories of Alfie Sparks, the Blue Pool’s superintendent, for the days I spent at the Blue Pool – be it swimming, jumping/diving, playing tag, picnicking or feeding my wet swimming costume into the mangle at the end of each day.”

Alfie, who was born in Melksham’s cottage hospital, documented his memoirs before his death, reflecting on his life and experiences. These included being involved in the building of George Ward School and later looking after Queen Camilla’s swimming pool at Allington before she became Queen, where he also taught her son Tom to swim, and completing National Service in Singapore.

Alf’s daughter Jacqueline George said, “He was such a great Dad. As both my Dad, and my Mum (Joyce), worked at the pool for our entire childhood, it was like a second home for my brother and me.

“We went to the pool early in the morning and came home very late, as Dad would have to clean up and do the maintenance after closing. During the early years, he had to deal with huge crowds all day – on one occasion it was over 1,100 people. I can only imagine how difficult and stressful that was for him, all on his own. It did get easier once the council introduced sessions and some additional poolside help, but the responsibility was still all on his shoulders. I did watch him drag someone out of the pool on a very busy day once and give him mouth to mouth. It makes you feel quite proud to know that your Dad has saved someone’s life, on more than one occasion as well.

“Dad (and Mum) didn’t just look after my brother and me; they took care of thousands of kids over the years they were at the Blue Pool, and from the comments and sympathy cards we’ve received recently, he will be greatly missed by everyone.”

In 1986, when Melksham Pool closed to have a roof installed, Alf moved to Trowbridge Swimming Pool. Throughout the years, Alfie also worked at other swimming pools in the area, including Bradford-on-Avon, Westbury and Warminster.

Another resident, Terri Welch, said Alfie was also a huge jazz fan and played a key role in helping organise the Melksham music festival.

She said, “Together with Jack they booked famous jazz names and we were all able to enjoy listening to some excellent jazz. Alfie was one of life’s givers, always ready to stop and chat, after meeting him in town the world seemed a better place. He will be missed.”

Alfie’s funeral service will be held on Friday 20th February at 1pm at West Wiltshire Crematorium, Semington.