A 99-year-old former athlete has stepped back in time after being reunited with a remarkable piece of Olympic history that he first used as a young sportsman more than three-quarters of a century ago.

For many people in Britain today, a sauna is associated with spas and relaxation. For the Finnish people, however, the sauna has long been regarded as an essential part of health and wellbeing. It was a belief so deeply rooted in Finnish culture that when Finland’s athletes travelled to the 1948 London Olympic Games, they brought their own sauna with them.

John Upton (Middle) with Advo’s Cricket Brookfield Nephew, Andy State outside the Finish Olympic Sauna

Now, nearly 80 years later, one of the first people to use that very sauna after the Finnish Government donated it to Reeds Paper Mills has returned to visit.

The historic Finnish Sauna, now situated in the grounds of Cobdown House near Maidstone, is believed to be the only surviving example of its type anywhere in the world. Following its Olympic service in 1948, the sauna was donated by the Finnish Government to Reed Paper Mills for the benefit of employees to promote their health and wellbeing. It eventually found its permanent home beside Cobdown House in 1952, where it remains today.

Among those who used the sauna during its early years was athlete and Reed employee John Upton, who recently celebrated his 99th birthday. When John discovered that the sauna still existed, he was eager to revisit a place that held so many memories from his younger days.

The visit was arranged by John’s nephew, Andy State, who approached Advo, the HR and payroll company that now owns Cobdown House and the surrounding grounds. The company was delighted to help make the reunion possible.

John Upton recounts memories of the sauna while sitting in the steam room.

Cricket Brookfield, Estates Manager at Advo, said the company was delighted to help arrange John’s visit.

“It was a privilege to welcome John back to Cobdown and to the Finnish Sauna after so many years,” she said.

“The sauna is a unique part of Kent’s sporting and industrial heritage, but what made the day so special was hearing John’s own stories and memories from its earliest days. Listening to his recollections of the athletes, the Reed Paper Mills sports facilities and the people who used the sauna brought the history of the building to life in a way that photographs and records simply cannot.”

“Everyone at Advo thoroughly enjoyed meeting John and Andy. As custodians of both Cobdown House and the sauna, we are passionate about preserving their history, and visits such as this remind us why these buildings matter.”

Stepping back inside the Grade II listed building, John was immediately transported to another era. Looking through historic photographs and memorabilia displayed within the sauna, he recalled the day it was formally handed over by the Finnish Government.

John in the treatment Room, with original massage benches, with nephew, Andy and Advo’s Cricket Brookfield and Colin Middleton & John remembering past athletes and friends.

Among the faces staring back from the photographs were former friends and sporting colleagues. One in particular caught his eye — Frank Sando, the distinguished long-distance runner who would go on to represent Great Britain at both the 1952 Helsinki Olympics and the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games. Sando placed fifth in the Helsinki 10k race, despite losing a shoe on the third lap, and running with one bare foot for the remainder of the race.

Also remembered was Tony Pawson, Reed employee, Kent Cricketer, and for two league appearances in 1951-1952 season, a Charlton Athletic winger. John recalled his nickname was Granddad, because of his white hair.

Some of the photographs on the walls of the treatment room.

The visit also stirred memories of Reed Paper Mills’ extensive sporting facilities, which played a central role in the lives of employees. John recalled how workers contributed a penny a week from their wages towards the upkeep of the sports grounds, which included cricket pitches and other recreational facilities. Monday night was also always Ladies night at the Sauna.

Today, part of that same land has found a new sporting purpose. Upon learning that the training ground of the London City Lionesses now occupies the former Reed Paper Mills cricket pitch where he once played, John became an enthusiastic supporter of the club.

Although the historic sauna is no longer operational, there are plans to secure its future. Advo intends to restore the building to something approaching its former glory following the completion of ongoing renovation work at Cobdown House, the Victorian mansion that has stood alongside the sauna for more than seven decades.

For John, the visit was far more than a nostalgic trip. It was a rare opportunity to reconnect with a unique piece of Olympic and local history — a living time capsule that continues to tell the story of sport, community and international friendship.

As he reflected on memories spanning nearly a century, the old Finnish Sauna once again proved its enduring ability to bring people together.

A version of this  Advo News Post was carried by the local news channels. You can read the Kent online news story HERE.