THE swimming galas at the now-doomed Temple Cowley Pool in Oxford were one of the highlights of the schools’ sporting calendar.

Pupils would be selected by their schools to take part in a series of events, in the hope of winning a trophy.

Galas would be held annually at junior, intermediate and senior levels.

Children would compete in the 50 yards breaststroke, 50 yards freestyle, 50 yards backstroke, 25 yards butterfly, diving and medley and freestyle relays.

Fifty yards represented two lengths of the pool.

Most of the competitors would regard it as a great honour to represent their school in such a prestigious event.

The picture shows some of the pupils who took part in the intermediate gala in 1965.

That year, the star of the show was 13-year-old Anne Wheeler, of Littlemore Grammar School, who scored two victories, both in record times.

Anne, described as one of Oxford’s most promising young swimmers, led from the start in the 50 yards freestyle and finished well clear of her rivals in 29.5sec, knocking half a second off the previous best time.

It was the same story in the 25 yards butterfly, with Anne finishing in 15 seconds, more than two seconds faster than the record.

Littlemore Grammar School girls rounded off a great day by winning both relay races.

Other schools which took part that year included Cowley St John, Temple Cowley, East Oxford, South Oxford, Headington, Milham Ford, St Mary’s (Wantage), Didcot Grammar School, Bayswater, Cheney and Sibford.

Do you recognise yourself or anyone else in the picture above? Write and let me know.