FOR GENERATIONS of adults and children, Viv Mays has not only taught them to swim but kept order at Petersfield’s open air swimming pool.

Now, after 45 years, the gates of the town centre pool have closed behind her as she retires as pool manager.

A party to celebrate the end of her last season drew a large crowd of regular swimmers, including families where parents and their children were among those she had taught.

One of the organisers, Natasha Kirwan, said: “Things truly will never be the same. Who can imagine Petersfield open air swimming pool without Viv Mays?

“Viv has managed the pool with a sure and steady hand, making sure the boisterous teens behaved, the children had ice creams, and that everyone was safe and having fun.

“Viv also turned her hand to fence painting, drain cleaning, power hosing – you name it. The pool manager’s job starts at the beginning of the spring when essential maintenance and general beautifying is the order of the day.

"For years, Viv has tirelessly made sure the pool is not just ready but positively gleaming by the opening day, however much work that has been.”