THE opening of a new swimming pool at New Marston Primary School in Oxford caused so much excitement that one pupil almost jumped in naked.

In a booklet recalling his school days, Eamonn Woodley writes: “We loved the pool and whenever given the opportunity, I do not recall any who wouldn‘t jump at the chance of taking a dip.

“In fact, one of my friends let his eagerness to hit the water run away with him.

“Having undressed behind a curtain, he ran out to be first in and was immediately shouted back by the teacher. He was stark naked!

“The first part of getting changed was no problem.

“The second part – putting on his trunks – was forgotten in the mad dash for the water. He was subjected to much teasing.”

Mr Woodley, who was at the school from 1958 to 1964 and now lives near Princes Risborough, recalls that pupils passed their 10 yards in the school’s outdoor pool, but to progress further, they had to go Temple Cowley Pool.

“Going to Temple Cowley was an exciting if somewhat traumatic event.

“Not only were our swimming abilities being scrutinised, but the pool and swimming tests were overseen and policed by the large and formidable Mollie Bateson.

"Miss Bateson would walk along the side of the pool with her long, hook-ended stick, ready to pull any struggling swimmers by their costume to safety.

“Many a time the swimmer struggled for a few strokes, leaving their trunks caught on the hook halfway down their legs, bare bottom exposed for all to see and jeer at!”

More of Mr Woodley’s memories soon.