CLACTON DOLPHINARIUM
In 1932 the swimming pool was opened on Clacton pier and was the first pool in the country to be built over the sea. On the 1st August 1971 the pool was closed and turned in a dolphinarium, the original swimming pool was the subject of falling receipts and high running costs. The dolphinarium was a permanent summer attraction run by owner Michael Goss and dolphin trainer and expert Reg Bloom. Reg was a former curator of Flamingo Park and Chester Zoo, he also opened dolphinariums in London and Majorca. Mr Bloom also helped design and build the dolphinarium in Windsor Safari Park.
CLICK ON IMAGES FOR A CLOSER LOOK
 WHERE IT ISThe area used for the dolphinarium on the pier |  DOLPHINARIUM 1978 |  ARIEL SHOT2005 approx. |
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 ARIEL SHOT2005 approx. |  ARIEL SHOT2005 approx. |  ARIEL SHOT2005 approx. |
 DOLPHINARIUM 2009 |  DOLPHINARIUM 2010 |  SEA LION AREA1995 saw the start of the demolition of the Sea Lion complex on Clacton Pier. |
 EASTSIDE 1991 |  DOLPHINARIUM 1979Ariel photo of the pier & dolphinarium taken 1979, just after the dolphins left Clacton Pier. |  OLD POOLPhoto of the Olympic sized pool on Clacton Pier before the dolphins & whales lived there. |
 OLYMPIC POOLCrowds flocked to Clacton Pier's swimming pool |  WATERSLIDE 1988Water chute and pool in 1988, 3 years after Nemo left the pier. |  LOBSTERFebruary 1974 - Fisherman Mervyn Stutter caught a 15Ib, 3ft long lobster off Clacton pier, thought to be 30 years old. The lobster was not hooked but entangled in Mervyn's line, the catch was such a rarity that it was given to the aquarium on the pier & Reg looked after it and put in on display in a tank alive for all to view. |