Historic Pools of Britain – November News

A birthday bonanza for Bramley Baths

Bramley Baths has marked its 120th birthday with a feast of community-led celebrations.  Local dignitaries including the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Abigail Marshall Katung, gathered just as their counterparts had done for the opening on 17 October 1904.  This historic moment was followed with an Edwardian themed circus that encapsulated Bramley Baths’ fun spirit – fire eaters, suffragettes and a strong man part of a colourful line up of entertainment.

David Wilford, Chief Executive Officer at Bramley Baths says “We are delighted to have celebrated this special anniversary with our local community and the people of Leeds. We are very proud of everything the Baths have achieved in its 120-year history and I’d like to thank all the staff and volunteers for their hard work, the board of trustees, and the press for supporting this significant milestone. It is a fitting platform from which to launch our exciting community share offer, to make the Baths not only community led but part community owned, as we head into the next chapter in the Baths’ story.”

Poetry at the Lido

We are very pleased to be able to share the winning entry to Droitwich Lido’s summer poetry competition which is by Caroline Attwood-Reusser, a regular swimmer at Droitwich Lido. The judging panel included Worcestershire Poet Laureate Freddie Barker who said “This charming poem encapsulates the joyful experience of swimming at the Lido”.

It’s been a wonderful project, generating lots of interest and lots of entries.  For Caroline, who so far has only shared her words with family and friends, it was a joy to be chosen as winner. “To win is beyond amazing and gives me confidence to continue to write” she said.

Save the dates: HPB’s 2025 programme

We have two events in the diary for 2025 that take in two iconic historic pools, which have both gone through programmes of restoration and redevelopment.  The first is the Grade II* listed, Saltdean Lido which sits on the coastline of Brighton and Hove.  Built in the classic Modern style and renowned for its beautiful clean lines, there will be great excitement to discover more about the journey that the lido has gone on and to see the hive of activity that is now to be found not just in the pool, but in the ballroom and other community spaces.

This event will take place on Tuesday 24 June, with a full programme being planned, including the opportunity to enjoy a swim.

Then on Tuesday 30 September its destination Newcastle, for a promised return to The City Baths.  A hard hat tour of the Grade II listed complex took place exactly eight years ago on 30 September 2017 just before the development work began.  This time we’ll be doing it in style with a day that will include the opportunity to experience the Turkish Baths in all their splendour, as well as a swim.

The date for this visit will also coincide with the 10th anniversary of Historic Pools of Britain, giving even more cause for celebration.

Tickets for both events will be released early in the New Year.

Pool Water Treatment Advisory Group – annual conference

On Thursday 14 November the Pool Water Treatment Advisory Group will be holding its 2024 conference at Holywell Park, Loughborough.  The theme for this year’s event is Future Proofing Pools. .

Image of the Month

For November’s Image of the Month we are sharing an ICYMI moment, which is of a spooktacular Halloween take-over that took place at Victoria Baths for The Silence of the Baths: Back from the Dead.  A silent disco led by three of Manchester’s iconic DJs was the soundtrack for a night of frightening fun, with the whole pool complex given an epic makeover full of eerie encounters!