Do you remember taking the plunge at Broomhill Pool in Ipswich?

Ipswich Star: Youngsters having fun at Broomhill Pool in September 1988 Picture: ARCHANTYoungsters having fun at Broomhill Pool in September 1988 Picture: ARCHANT

If so, our latest nostalgic gallery will bring back memories - looking at how generations of swimmers loved the lido over its 70-year history.

Ipswich Star: Splashing around at Broomhill Pool in May 1989 Picture: ARCHANTSplashing around at Broomhill Pool in May 1989 Picture: ARCHANT

The Grade II listed pool in Sherrington Road opened in 1938 and hundreds flocked there every summer.

Ipswich Star: Hot weather at Broomhill swimming pool, Ipswich in August 1990 Picture: PAUL NIXONHot weather at Broomhill swimming pool, Ipswich in August 1990 Picture: PAUL NIXON

It is East Anglia’s last surviving 50m outdoor pool and features what are believed to be the last surviving set of Wicksteed diving boards in the world.

Ipswich Star: Fun at Broomhill Pool in August 1990. Picture: RICHARD RACKHAMFun at Broomhill Pool in August 1990. Picture: RICHARD RACKHAM (Image: Archant)

Our photos, from the 1960s through to the 1990s, show swimmers cooling off in the hot weather and having a great time.

Ipswich Star: This young visitor to Broomhill Pool, Ipswich had a nice line in sunhats when he visited in 1971. Picture: ARCHANTThis young visitor to Broomhill Pool, Ipswich had a nice line in sunhats when he visited in 1971. Picture: ARCHANT

The pool was in such demand back in 1965 that crowds queued for hours for a place in the water.

Ipswich Star: Youngsters enjoying the sun at Broomhill Swimming Pool in May 1966 Picture: ARCHANTYoungsters enjoying the sun at Broomhill Swimming Pool in May 1966 Picture: ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Our gallery also features some intrepid swimmers braving the water on Christmas Day in the early 1970s. Did you take part in these events, and just how cold was it?

Ipswich Star: A Christmas swim at Broomhill pool in December 1972 Picture: ARCHANTA Christmas swim at Broomhill pool in December 1972 Picture: ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Over the years, the pool staged activities such as underwater swimming and canoe lessons.

Ipswich Star: Broomhill pool in July 1987 Picture: ARCHANTBroomhill pool in July 1987 Picture: ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

And it played host to an It’s a Knockout-style event in 1974, with games including boat races and aerial basketball.

Ipswich Star: Learning how to canoe in Broomhill pool in August 1998 Picture: ARCHANTLearning how to canoe in Broomhill pool in August 1998 Picture: ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

READ MORE - Remembering It’s a Knockout style fun days

Ipswich Star: A rope ladder hanging from the diving board for a game of aerial basketball in an It's A Knockout style event in 1974 Picture: ARCHANTA rope ladder hanging from the diving board for a game of aerial basketball in an It's A Knockout style event in 1974 Picture: ARCHANT

Sadly, the lido closed in 2002, but the Broomhill Pool Trust fought to bring it back into use.

Ipswich Star: Paddle power in one of the boat races from the It's A Knockout style event in 1974 Picture: ARCHANTPaddle power in one of the boat races from the It's A Knockout style event in 1974 Picture: ARCHANT

Just before lockdown, the first steps were being taken towards turning exciting plans for a £6.5million restoration into reality.

Ipswich Star: Hot weather in August back in 1975 Picture: ARCHANTHot weather in August back in 1975 Picture: ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Tree surgeons moved in to thin trees on the site, while operator Fusion Lifestyle was going through the tendering procedure to find a contractor to carry out the project.

Ipswich Star: Underwater swimming at Broomhill in 1969. Picture: ARCHANTUnderwater swimming at Broomhill in 1969. Picture: ARCHANT

Following a previous article about swimming clubs and galas, Michael Gardiner shared his memories of a swimming marathon at another much-loved Ipswich pool, St Matthew’s Baths.

Ipswich Star: A Christmas Day swim in December 1970 Picture: ARCHANTA Christmas Day swim in December 1970 Picture: ARCHANT

He said: “I used to take part in charity swims from 1973-1976, and am in the centre of the bottom row of the photo from 1973.

Ipswich Star: Schoolchildren at Broomhill Swimming Pool in June 1970 Picture: ARCHANTSchoolchildren at Broomhill Swimming Pool in June 1970 Picture: ARCHANT

“I think this was after a non-stop two-hour swim for the Alexandra Day Fund Charity, held at St Matthew’s Baths in 1973. That day i swam about 1,500 yards which was less than normal because of cramp. (I was only 14 and had a tough paper round!)”

Ipswich Star: Crowds queurng for hours waiting for a place in Broomhill Pool in August 1965 Picture: ARCHANTCrowds queurng for hours waiting for a place in Broomhill Pool in August 1965 Picture: ARCHANT

Share your memories of swimming at Broomhill. Email judy.rimmer@archant.co.uk To order photos, visit www.eadt.co.uk/myphotos24, or call Diane Townsend on 01603 772449.

Ipswich Star: Reader Michael Gardiner recognised himself in this photo of a swimming marathon at St Matthew's Baths in June 1973 Picture: ARCHANTReader Michael Gardiner recognised himself in this photo of a swimming marathon at St Matthew's Baths in June 1973 Picture: ARCHANT