Recollections of the Dolphin Centre (continued):

My sister in Romford recently sent me a 'Recorder' clipping with a photo of the fencing around the Dolphin - with 'viewing-slots' cut into the fence so that passers-by could watch the demolition! A similar fencing enabled the public to view construction in the 80's!!

The recent Recorder item quoted Councillor Roger Ramsey on the level of community uses the building served during it's working life. I share his memory. Many thousands of swimming uses - including school lessons, aquarobics and, of course, the excitement of the 'wave-machine'. Hundreds of community meetings; special events (annual meetings, dinners etc) for community groups; entertainments; dances; concerts; lectures, commercial product launches, keep-fit classes; Essex Cricket Club's Graham Gooch benefit function; wedding receptions and a variety of other uses.

A particularly pleasing use I'll mention is the 'Havering Heritage Exhibition' which was held in the last few weeks of my LBH period - just before migrating. The idea arose from 'Domesday Book' anniversary celebrations. The Borough's Libraries and Arts staff excelled in staging this - combined with the Havering Arts Exhibition. So many aspects of Havering's ancient and recent history on display. I'll mention only a few - though I have the programme among my souvenirs. Romford brewery showed old, original, copper-vats ; a spitfire plane was displayed on the Main Road frontage as part of the RAF Hornchurch section; Nellie Sims spoke about the Market as part of a lecture programme - artefacts were lent by London and Essex museums and private collections - adding fascinating depth.

So the Dolphin will soon be part of local memories (albeit short-lived). Yet another feature that the tides and turns of history have brought onto the Romford scene then swept away - like Laurie Hall; Mawney Road Baths; The Workhouse; Stones Departmental Store; Romford Coal Yards; the cattle market, Brooklands and so many others which once formed part of somebody's Romford!!

Terry Hadert, South Australia
August 2004