Ironically it is not the various campaigns, petitions and fund raising committees, which unfortunately failed over the past seven decades but land appreciation that has now raised nearly £1million pounds for a 25-metre pool to be build in the grounds of Mytholmroyd Community Centre.

The former one and half acre swimming pool site in Victoria Road, Hebden Bridge, had been donated by the local firm Setbray and later bought for a nominal sum by the last Swimming Committee, which was formed after first year pupils at Calder High School launched a campaign for a public swimming pool in the Hebden Royd area back in 1983.

The former site has now been sold for housing and the proceeds will be jointly used by the trustees of the Swimming Pool Committee and the Management Committee of Mytholmroyd Community Association to build the pool. Planning permission is currently being sought from Calderdale Council.

Chairman of the community association Mr Richard Marshall said: “This is fantastic news for the district after all this time and in spite of the setbacks it is now coming to fruition to realised the area's dream.”

A trustee of the former Swimming Pool Committee Mrs Dorothy Sutcliffe said: “It is wonderful news for Hebden Royd and the surrounding district. People will be able to learn to swim on their own door step and it will be beneficial for the schools, the young, the elderly, and the disabled, in fact for everyone.”

“We have also been very fortunate in that Mytholmroyd Community Association was able to provide a new site for the pool to be finally built.”

Mrs Sutcliffe pointed out that although there was enough money to build a pool, public and council support would be needed to ensure its future success.

Architect for the pool, Mr Dennis Deakin said the scheme was for a four lane, 25 metre by eight metre pool to be housed in a single storey building adjacent to the centre which would also incorporate a fitness suite.

“It will have a depth of between 0.9 of a metre and 1.5metres which is recommended by the Amateur Swimming Association so that other water sport activities can also be held.”

Mr Marshall said he hoped local people would be taking the plunge by spring of next year.

There have been various campaigns for a pool in the area dating back as far as 1933, resulting in 14 sites being put forward at one time or another.

They were at Orchard Walk, Scout Road, Redacre, the bus layby at Calder High School, Empress Foundry and the Community Centre in Mytholmroyd, while sites in Hebden Bridge have been at Mayroyd, Station Road, the former Foster Mill site, part of Hebden Bridge Cinema site, Calder Holmes Park, the former Barbreck site, Nutclough Mill, and Victoria Road.