105 replies to this topic

[Pete]

I could never swim, and believe me I tried, I yoost to go to Boundary bths coming off night turn at UGB, I tried hard, even to the point of an instructor doing his best to coach me...This might sound crazy, but as he was telling what to do, I did, I tried to swim towards him, but the more effort I put into it, I tended to swim away from the target, It was at that point I gave up, and thought this is not my scene. I went back many years later with new friends and give it just one last try....But I got ridiculed because of my spinal disability/deformity, and that put me off for life. I doubt I will ever dip my toe in the baths anymore, unless its a special baths night for ppl with disabilities.

[jmosh]

SWIMMER, on 24 July 2010 - 10:04 PM, said:

Yeah I loved those I was always hungry after swimming so I used to get one of the long loaves and filled them with puffed crisps

Yes Swimmer remember that on our school swimming lesson we all used to rush across the road
to them as well and eat them walking back to school.

[SWIMMER]

A tried tested a time honoured ritual swim get hungry eat the buns

Pete don't let small minded people put you off. Swimming is really good for you although I might add I can't do it now. It wasn't you that was swimming in the wrong direction the water was pushing you plus you could have been using one arm more strongly than the other don't give up love swimmer. I have to say I detest people who make other feel inadequate or stupid just because they find it amusing. sorry Pete

[Pete]

Nice one Swimmer, but I was always VERY self conscious about my body...When I was at school and went to Boudary road baths, I was acute enough to just spot my teacher goad this other little boy into pushing me in, the boy failed and I slipped and banged my knee in the hard tiles. I told my mam and she wrote a letter to the school complaining of mistreatment, but we heard nowt. Well you wouldn't in them days, nowadays kids would have his guts for garters as me mam used to say. About 7 years later I developed a very bad spinal posture and found it very difficult to go to the baths.

[SWIMMER]

Oh sorry to hear that Pete but I know what you mean I have a problem with my spine well neck really which means I can't do what I want to but nevermind we'll muddle along

[Brian Johnson]

Yes. The old building has gone. And i remember the times when i went to Lowe House School, with Joe Wilson, our teacher. There is going to be a newer building there instead.

[Mazzi]

So sad, my Mum worked at the baths for many years - first in the old ticket office, then in the new one when they extended it. I can remember the fantastic private baths they had there that were huge, I used to love having a bath in those. The house attached to it was fabulous, went inside a couple of times when the baths Manager, then Len Lister, was still living there. The staff were all great, and can recall having some great laughs with them all - best one ever - do you remember laughing bags?, we set one off over the tannoy in the big pool and the attendant on duty nearly had heart attack with the shock of it. Also, one of the young pool attendants hid in a laundry cart under the pool towels and sprung out on the laundry lady when she went to empty it - think she had to go home to dry certain items of her clothing lol!!!!

[SWIMMER]

Hi Mazzi I spent most of my childhood in Boundy Road baths I remember them all very well and having a bath in the big baths there because all we had in common with most was a tin one

[boxkey4]

I used to go there at least twice a week,it was a cheap way to get kids out the house then,talk of the mini hovis made me hungry just thinking of them.There was a Brylcreem machine in the changing rooms,1d got you a big dollop that would get all over everything and get you a crack around the ear from mum when you got in.And Vincent the attendant,a harmless character,but wouldnt get within 100 miles of the job nowadays.

[SWIMMER]

Hi all drove back that way from my sons the other night. It is looking as though it is going to make a lovely modern baths. It will be a lovely new place for the kids to swim. Maybe they can ressurect the bun shop over the road that we were all so fond of, and bring back the crispy puffs too.

[Phyll]

Latest news about Boundary Rd. Baths.

http://www.sthelenss...factor_/?ref=mr

[clocker baz]

I remember goin there in the mid 50s . As soon as you went through the doors to pay you could hear the kids shouting and splashes as they bombed from to top board. You could always smell pipe tobacco, from the pool attendant with the bad leg.Great days, great baths, great memories. Clocker baz

[RATTY]

I bust my nose in there when very young, first time Id been for ages and I went down the slide head first and BAM! I hit the floor with my nose. Didnt bleed but boy did it hurt.

[kizzy]

clocker baz, on 19 November 2010 - 09:27 PM, said:

As soon as you went through the doors to pay you could hear the kids shouting and splashes as they bombed from to top board.

That is a strong memory for me too, the wall of noise and smell of chlorine which hit you as the doors opened. I recall an upper balcony of sorts, which was just an open area where kids got changed in full view of everyone else - no cubicles! It was probably cheaper than downstairs..can't remember. I learned to swim in Boundary baths but after a particularly horrific belly flop one day gave up diving there and then!!!

[SWIMMER]

That is a strong memory for me too. The smell of the chlorine. Ratty smacked my head on the bottom once after a particulary deep dive, thought i had plenty of room but didn't came up wondering what had hit me and got a smack in the mouth my another swimmer going past where i had surfaced lol. The first time I went with my auntie I was about two and I can still remember the cubicles surrounding the pool and the stone steps she carried me down to the water on.