Swimming baths in keighley

[davefnd]

Can anyone tell me when the Old Swimming Pool was closed. I seem to remember going to it when there was slipper baths in use and also washing or laundry rooms. I think it was never mixed bathing because there was no changing cubicles. The dare of the day then was jumping off the balcony.

[fsharpminor]

My guess they public baths closed approx 1960-61. We went a couple of times whilst I was in the lower years of KBGS, but in fact I never learned to swim, and still can't at 61. As my Dad couldnt swim, he wasnt able to teach me as a younger child because as you say bathing was not mixed. I think there were some cubicles but with very narrow doors (large gap underneath!). Mum was able to teach my sister when very young. Oakbank School had its own pool for a few years, from about 1965-6, though I had left at Christmas 1964 (the school opened after Easter 1964). But heavy snow collapsed the roof and it was closed down again. Pity because many of my vintage, and our parents, spent alot of time fund raising to get the pool built in the first place.

[Mike Tebb]

I remember going to the old swimming baths in the 1970's and possibly beyond . They had changing for both sexes plus they had added a childrens pool downstairs. I think it only closed down when the pool was added to the leisure centre in Victoria Park.

I'm talking about the one up Spencer Street - unless you mean a different 'old baths'?

[Andy Wade]

Apr 10, 2008 20:37:46 GMT Mike Tebb said:

I remember going to the old swimming baths in the 1970's and possibly beyond . They had changing for both sexes plus they had added a childrens pool downstairs. I think it only closed down when the pool was added to the leisure centre in Victoria Park.

I'm talking about the one up Spencer Street - unless you mean a different 'old baths'?

I remember that too. I used to be a member of Keighley Sub Aqua Club and we used the Spencer Street baths for training for a short while in the early 1980's, (1983 rings a bell).
It seemed pretty run down at that time.
I also remember not being able to use any pool in Keighley after the leisure centre opened as it was too shallow for Scuba diving. We ended up using Bingley Pool after that.

[davefnd]

The time I am talking about is in the early 50s and there were 2 swimming baths in the same building in Spencer Street. The one I am calling the Old swimming bath was closed down and the newer one was extended. No such thing as Scuba Diving affordable or seen at the baths in those days!

[barcroftlad]

Apr 10, 2008 22:21:02 GMT davefnd said:

The time I am talking about is in the early 50s and there were 2 swimming baths in the same building in Spencer Street. The one I am calling the Old swimming bath was closed down and the newer one was extended. No such thing as Scuba Diving affordable or seen at the baths in those days!

Dave, you have it right. The Old baths were more "primitive" smaller, with no changing facilities. There were galleries/balconys on either side. It was cheaper to get in there. The New baths had all facilities. They were also used for other events. ie the pool area was covered with a wooden floor for dancing, concerts, boxing(I saw Bruce Woodcock fight Jack Pye there), and pro wrestling.It was also popular for roller skating in the school holidays.
I believe there was another room with "slipper" baths, and conventional baths to hire when you wanted a good scrub. I never saw those.
I left in '54 so I'm not sure when the old ones closed.Cheers.

[fsharpminor]

Yes perhaps on reflection there were two phases of 'old' baths. The first ones which closed early 60's then maybe there was some refurbishment and they were re-opened as some of you remember them into the 70's

[Admin]

The "New" baths which I used to swim at for the Keighley Schools Swimming Galas, were in the new baths which were on Spencer Street, there were changing rooms and a viewing area on one side................................I will see if I can find any old photographs........I left school in 1965, and we used them up to that date. I believe they were open by Anita Lonsborough.............can any add anything.......................

The houses now on that site are called Kendall Mellor Court.......

The "old" baths on Highfield Lane/ALbert Street, have also been turned into flats............I remember going to those and there was a balcony...........used to hate the lack of privacy.

Jan

[davefnd]

Yes Barcroftlad you are spot on and Jan, Kendal Mellor was Old Eastwood school pupil.He was a great long distance swimmer and swam The Channel and Morecambe Bay. I have photo of him with Eastwood School in London which I will endeavour to dig out and send you copy Jan. Kendall was living in Steeton last I knew of.

[barcroftlad]

What a lovely tribute to a real nice guy. I was at the Open Air School at Braithwaite for a year with Kendall,1946/47 and went to his 10th birthday party. He lived on Showfield way in those days.
I have a clipping in my scrap book (yet another Jan) from the K.News, Aug/Sept 1969, showing the presentation of a plaque at the Keighley Swimming Baths,to mark the achievements of Kendall Mellor and Graham McIntyre. It was mounted in the entrance. I wonder, in view of the naming of the houses after Kendall, maybe the plaque is retained in the complex.
I will scan the article and send to Jan. Cheers, Bill

[keighlian]

Yes I remember the "old baths". The entrance to both the old baths & the "new baths" were both in Spencer St. oposite the Temperence Hall. I was a member of the swimming club in the 1950's and remember Kendall Mellor & Graham McIntyre although I was never anything like their standard.

[Admin]

Hi Keighlian

The Temperence Hall is on Highfield Lane/Albert Street, and the "Old" baths, which I remember as a child were entered on Albert Street/Highfield Lane. I think eventually both were accessed via the entrance on Spencer Street.

The "Old" Baths were covered up at certain times and used for dancing - or so I am led to understand, anyone any further information on the dances held there?

Now they have been turned into flats with the external features largely kept, not as well care for as they could be on the outside. Not sure who owns them.

I have been asked for pictures of the "Old Baths and "New Baths" not the one in Victoria Park, which is mainly a fun pool Anyone have any they can scan?

J

[tangara]

You're right Jan. The old baths (and the Turkish and slipper baths) were accessed from Albert Street.
My parents used to talk about the dances held at the old baths when they were covered for winter, and as a small child I remember watching wresting at the covered old baths.
Swimmers changed into their trunks on balconies which were accessed from the shallow end and ran along that end of the pool and down both sides. It was rumoured that the more daring patrons would dive from the balcony into the pool. Never witnessed it myself, but at only 6 ft deep it was really easy to crack your head on the bottom when diving from the top box.
I never saw the inside of the Turkish or slipper baths.
For an additional cost patrons requiring more privacy could hire one of the cubicals under the right hand balcony to change and hang their clothes.
It was a great improvement when the new baths, accessed from Spencer Street, were opened in the late 50's. Seperate changing rooms with secure street clothes storage. Showers and foot baths before entering the pool, a snack bar to revive afterwards and most importantly, mixed bathing.
Hey, and whilst we're naming names, does anyone still remember Jack Scott ? Pool attendant in the early 60's and great diving instructor

[Admin]

Hi

Jack Scott worked for Leonard S Dyer in Keighley, it was the opposite side of the arcade to Turner and Wall, I know because I worked there with Jack, he was a lovely man. Think he passed away, he was always very white haired when I knew him. Had a son called Ian and a daughter not sure of her name (Freda come to mind BUT could have been his wife) Jack and I were the only ones allowed to write in Mr Dyers "Bible" stockchecking books.........I used to take the banking onto the bank and put it into the night safe (wouldn't dare do that now)
Lunchtimes I would nip along to Fox's Bakery on the corner of High Street for what we all called "Squidgy Buns"

Happy Days.

My diving and swimming instructor was Mr Whalley from Highfield, I met him at a Retired Men's Forum function a few weeks back - he said to me "I remember you brilliant swimmer, dark haired and scrawny" None of which apply now....................lol

[keighlian]

Hello,
Yes you jogged my memory. On 10th May I said entry was in Spencer Street - it was of course Albert Street. I had the right picture in my mind but its over 40 years since I left Keighley and I confused the Street names !
I never jumped off the bacony of the 'Old Baths' but like you I recall that people did so - but not diving!
I think in the 1950's both the 'Old' and 'New' baths were covered over for dancing & boxing/wrestling mbouts

[lawkholmelaner]

I used the Baths a lot in the late '40s and 50s but I got most of my kicks from the winter times when the "new" bath was floored over and there was all-in wrestling and dancing. It cost 1/- to watch the wrestling from the balcony at the deep (?) end. The regular referee was later to make a name for himself on TV as a wrestler, Les Kellett. I had a particular interest in Jazz and the Big Bands and saw Ronnie Scott's Band (with Radio2's Benny Green on baritone sax); Eric Delaney; The Kirchen Band. I t cost 5/- - most of my pocket money.

[elfremar]

I learned to swim at Spencer Street Baths in the early 50s,my teacher was a lovely lady called Violet Coe who had bags of patience and had me swimming in no time.
When I went to KGGS we went to the old baths every week for swimming.You know the kind of thing,diving for a brick wearing pyjamas.

[Andy Wade]

I remember diving for a brick but I'm pretty sure it wasn't wearing pyjamas.

I'll get my coat.

[elfremar]

I just knew that somebody would pick up on that ;D

[andy63]

Apr 11, 2008 18:22:04 GMT davefnd said:

Yes Barcroftlad you are spot on and Jan, Kendal Mellor was Old Eastwood school pupil.He was a great long distance swimmer and swam The Channel and Morecambe Bay. I have photo of him with Eastwood School in London which I will endeavour to dig out and send you copy Jan. Kendall was living in Steeton last I knew of.

I would be very interested in having a copy of any photos of Kendal Mellor,as i am very good friends with his brother Wilf.
It was Wilfs 83rd birthday yesterday and what a great way to finish this week for him with some photos.
Wilf himself was a famous base baratone singer in years gone by and we have just done a compliation of some songs on a cd for a birthday presant for him.

Andy

[barcroftlad]

Mar 29, 2011 18:23:37 GMT andy63 said:

Apr 11, 2008 18:22:04 GMT davefnd said:

Yes Barcroftlad you are spot on and Jan, Kendal Mellor was Old Eastwood school pupil.He was a great long distance swimmer and swam The Channel and Morecambe Bay. I have photo of him with Eastwood School in London which I will endeavour to dig out and send you copy Jan. Kendall was living in Steeton last I knew of.

I would be very interested in having a copy of any photos of Kendal Mellor,as i am very good friends with his brother Wilf.
It was Wilfs 83rd birthday yesterday and what a great way to finish this week for him with some photos.
Wilf himself was a famous base baratone singer in years gone by and we have just done a compliation of some songs on a cd for a birthday presant for him.

Andy

Hi Andy
I have just scanned and sent my clipping of Kendall to Jan, just in case I had forgotten to send it 3 years ago! She will get it to you.
Cheers.

[andy63]

Thank you,i hope jan can pass onto me ive not seen able to get in touch at the moment

Andy

[andy63]

Mar 30, 2011 10:48:37 GMT andy63 said:

Thank you,i hope jan can pass onto me ive not seen able to get in touch at the moment

An

dy

Keighley`s own and Kendal mellors brother Wilf Mellor.
Tken from and old tape so recording not very good,i hope the link works?

Andy

www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EOcR6-hTsk

[parkwoodgirl]

I used to go to the baths hall every Friday night in winter when there were good bands playing. Johnny Dankworth with Cleo Lane. Ted Heath and lots more. I remember going to the old baths which were really grotty with concrete type walls and no cubicles. I thought the new baths were wonderful - those beautiful tiles and the privacy of cubicles. I also went to watch the wrestling in winter watchi9ng Les Kellett, Jack Pye and what was the name of the wrestler who wore a mask?

[andy63]

not the old one but still memories i will try find the old photo from the original baths asap

Andy

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[susan]

This list of times and dates has me confused. As a child in the 60's we used to go to the 'old baths' on a weekly basis which were accessed from Albert Road/Highfield Lane and indeed had communal changing areas on the balcony with private changing rooms underneath. I thought I remembered the 'NEW' pool opening on Spencer street in the late 60's/early 70's. This pool seemed really posh in my adolescent eyes with the huge bright swimming hall, spring board and diving boards, cafe and changing rooms with individual lockers. A trip to the pool at the weekend had to finished with a cup of tomato soup and a packet of crisps. To this day I can still ientify the smell and taste that soup. The pool was one of my first adventures of independence.

[les972]

I used to go to the baths quite a lot and if my memory serves me right the attendants were Arthur, who I believe used to be a wrestler, John and Stuart Wooley. Seems strange that Keighley is the only place around without a swimming pool, they have them at Settle, Skipton, Ilkley, Bingley, Shipley and all we have now is a play pool. Shame

[Gaffa]

I used to work at Keighley baths in the early 80's.
Stuart (Bert) Wooley was one of the attendants, also there was Graham(Ted)Buffet, Neil Farley, Paul Scott, "Rags" Gunning, Colin Jones, Peter Farrar and old John (sorry, forgot his last name).
There were two boiler men who did all the mechanical work running the filters etc under the pool.
The ladies side had their own female dressing room attendants and upstairs was the café that sold great meat pies, I think they were from Midgley's on Low street.

We worked in shifts and Saturday mornings were the busiest times and the noise level got to be deafening as the building would echo like crazy.

The "old" baths got renovated and was used by swimming clubs and schools.
Upstairs there was the Turkish baths, sauna and large bathing tubs.

I remember going with one of my neighbors and his children on Monday evenings to the Old baths and having to change on the balcony. Also in winter my dad would take me to use the sun lamp that they had, which would help you make it through the long dark days until the sun came back in Spring.

gaffa

[dmd]

I remember going to the baths in the early 70s. This was the larger pool upstairs that was accessed from Spencer Street. We used to go with cubs and scouts on Wednesday nights at a cost of 5p. The older pool was downstairs, and when I first started going this one was closed. During the years that I used to go the old pool was refurbished/rebuilt with new changing rooms and opened as the children's pool. You could walk through from the spectators area of the main pool to a balcony over the children's pool, and there was quite a drop from there to the pool. I'd say the old pool was a good 10ft lower than the newer one.

The new pool at Vic Park was not opened until after I left Keighley in 1987. I never went there until a couple of years ago when I was visiting for a few days. Have to say I was a little disappointed, the odd shape makes it difficult for length swimming when it's a bit busy. Won't be hurrying back there.

There was also a pool at Glusburn. We used to hire it for sessions as a group of families. It had cubicles down one side of the pool, and the other side had no walkway at all, just the pool wall going straight up to the ceiling. It was a nice little pool but is no longer open.