Old Ledbury Swimming Baths

Ledbury Guardian Newspaper 01 08 1914

NEARLY COMPLETED - FULL DETAILS

During the past few weeks the Ledbury Swimming Baths have been quietly approaching completion and the work has attracted little notice from the public. This is probably due to the fact that many people in Ledbury were heartily sick of the Swimming Baths and the many apparently fruitless discussions they involved. There is now good reason to think that public opinion. For ever fickle, will veer round, and the swimming baths will at any rate start off as favourite. Details on paper considered and published somewhere about the time of the Coronation have been long forgotten and only the discussions on the site kept the matter alive.

Some particulars of the Baths, now these will be very shortly an established fact will doubtless be of interest to many of our readers.

THE ENTRANCE

The entrance to the Baths is only a few yards past the arch over which runs the Gloucester line. A high hedge completely screens the baths from the road and corrugated iron 6 feet high is run round the sides.

WATER SUPPLY

The water supply always an important item in such an undertaking, has been given thorough consideration and the result should satisfy even the most fastidious bather. A swiftly flowing stream of pure spring water which comes from the Ledbury Tunnel, has been utilised. A little way down the Hereford Road this stream is diverted into a special drain which just outside the baths runs into a settling tank six feet in depth. The object of this tank is to catch any deposit which, while the water is still, would at once sink to the bottom. The chances of there being any deposit at all are very slight, but this is one of the many precautions, to ensure good clean water, which have been taken. From the settling tank a short length of drain conveys the water to the filter tank which adjoins. This latter is filled with gravel to the depth of nearly three feet, and the water has to filter the whole way through this before it reaches the outlet valve and emerges into the bath. By this time, the water should be quite pure enough to drink. The current of water then passes right across the bath to the opposite corner and then through an outlet to a special construction, to enable the flow to be regulated as desired.

CONSTRUCTION AND SIZE

The bath is constructed of reinforced concrete and every provision has been made for resisting the inward pressure. The Bath is 25 yards long and 8 yards in width, whilst the water will be 3 feet 6 inches deep at the shallow end, and 6 feet 6 inches at the deep end. Steps will be placed at the shallow end, and a diving board at the deep end. Round the Bath, on a level with the water is run a hand rail of galvanised tubing. Dressing Boxes, twelve in number are providing every privacy from the road. The situation is, in fact far more private that was generally supposed. It will be quite invisible from the road and from the Gloucester line. A brief glimpse of it at several hundred yards distance could be obtained from the top of the main line embankment, and if this should be objected to it will be quite a simple matter to plant a few trees or shrubs at the deep end, though by the time the fence is up there will not be much that could be seen, especially when the distance involved is considered. Taken on the whole, the Bath shows excellent design and construction, and the builders, Messrs David SMITH and Son, are to be congratulated on the sound work they have put in also in the time taken. Although it was nearly 7 o'clock on Tuesday evening, a representative of the " Ledbury Guardian" found Mr SMITH and his men still at work. On being asked, Mr SMITH said he hoped to complete the work within three weeks. At this rate, the baths have still a chance of being used this summer.

A SUGGESTION

Arrangements for the use of the Baths have yet to be made by the Council, but we would like to make a suggestion that Saturday be set apart as a free day and Wednesday as ladies' day. This would leave the four days on which a small charge could be made. The ladies' day could probably be made free on certain weeks in the month and a small charge at other times. The Baths are now well worth a visit, and we think inspection will show that once promised to be a white elephant may, if properly conducted, become something of much more value.

Ledbury Guardian Newspaper 22 08 1914

WANTED

Wanted, Female Attendant on Wednesdays, from 10 till 1, and 3 to 5 for the Ledbury Swimming Bath, preference given to one able to swim. Apply R G GURNEY, Surveyor, Ledbury

Kington Reporter Newspaper 22 08 1914

COMPLETE

The public Swimming Bath constructed by the Ledbury Urban Council on a plot of ground in the Hereford Road, is now complete, with the exception of the fencing around, which will be erected in due course. The bath will be open for bathers at 7 a.m. on Monday morning. There will be no formal opening. Tickets are 3d each, books of a dozen tickets can be obtained for 2s, and season tickets are 5s each. An attenant will be appointed, and single tickets may be obtained from the attendant at the bath, and books of tickets and season tickets from Mr R G GURNEY, the Surveyor.

Kington Reporter Newspaper 29 08 1914

OPENED AT LAST

After passing through about as varied vicissitudes as it can be imagined any scheme could pass through, the Ledbury Public Swimming Bath Scheme, which was inaugurated as far back as the Spring of 1911, has been so far completed for the bath to be opened for use by the public. The idea of a public swimming bath was launched in connection with the Coronation of King George V., and it was decided at a town's meeting that it should form a permanent memorial of the Coronation of his Majesty. A scheme was drafted, and subscriptions were invited, but did not come up to expectations. Objections were raised to the site and the scheme, but eventually through the influence of Mr E H HOPKINS the Urban Council took over the scheme. Then ensued another long wait, but eventually all difficulties were smoothed over and to-day the swimmers and would-be swimmers of Ledbury can enjoy participation in natation under excellent conditions. Undoubtedly the bath supplies a long-felt want.

It was notified last week-end that the bath would be opened on Monday morning last at 7 a.m. Although there was no formal opening ceremony, several members of the Urban District Council, the body under whose control the Bath will be, were present, including Messrs H THACKER (Chairman), E H HOPKINS, W L TILLEY, T S S GARDNER, A C LEWIS, the Rev F C LYNCH, Mr R G GURNEY (surveyor), who is to be congratulated on the successful completion of the scheme), Mr David SMITH, the builder of the bath, Mr G W PAUL, Mr L P HOULT, etc. By the way Mr GARDNER, who is 65 years of age, was one of the first to have a dip in the baths, and others who took advantage of the bath as soon as it was opened were Mr H BARNARD, Mr F N WHEATON, Mr Arthur SHARP (Hereford), and Mr E HOPKINS, jun.

DETAILS

As previously stated the scheme for the provision of a public swimming bath was decided upon by a public meeting at the time of the Coronation. The decision was unanimously approved of, but subsequent subscriptions towards the object were not forthcoming in the manner that was expected, that the Committee appointed to carry out the scheme had a right to expect. Despite the fact that several entertainments were arranged and given in aid of the scheme it soon became evident that the required sum would not be raised. The Committee, therefore, on the suggestion of the Urban District Council, decided to hand over the money subscribed to the Council on the understanding that they would complete the scheme by providing the money still required out of the rates. This course was approved of at a public meeting, and the Council also unanimously acquiesced in the suggestion. After a good deal of delay the contract to erect the bath was eventually secured by Messrs D SMITH and Son.

The chief difficulty which had to be overcome at the outset was to secure a site where there was a constant supply of good pure water, and this matter involved many fruitless discussions. Finally a swiftly-flowing stream of pure water which comes from the tunnel at Ledbury Railway Station was utilised. The site of the Bath is a few yards from the arch in the Hereford road over which runs the Gloucester line, and is therefore within easy distance of any part of the town. The Bath is screened from the road by a high hedge and a corrugated iron fence, six feet high, will be placed round the sides. The stream of water is diverted into a special drain and just outside the Bath is a settling tank to catch any deposit. From this tank a short length of drain conveys the water to a filter tank adjoining and then is filled with gravel nearly three feet deep, though which the water filters before entering the Bath. Thus a perfectly pure supply is assured and on Monday surprise was expressed at the clearness of the water. The water passes out through an outlet of special construction which enables the flow to the regulated as desired.

The Bath is constructed of reinforced concrete and every precaution has been taken to prevent inward pressure. Its length is 23 yards, and width eight yards. At the shallow end the water is 3 feet 6 inches deep and 6 feet 6 inches at the deep end. A hand rail of galvanised tubing is run round the Bath on a level with the water. At present there are 12 dressing boxes which back on to the hedge, and a visit on Monday showed that the fears that the Bath would be visible from the road is quite unfounded.

A male and female attendant will be appointed. The bath is open on week-days from 7 to 9 a.m., and 4 p.m. to one hour after sunset, on Saturdays from 7 to 9 a.m., and 1 p.m. to one hour after sunset, and on Sundays from 7 to 10 a.m. On Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and 3 to 5 p.m. the bath is reserved for ladies. We would point out, however, that no provision has been made for ladies engaged in the various business establishments of the town, whose hours of employment preclude them from taking advantage of the reserved hours for their sex on Wednesdays.

Early 1960s

Brian MORRIS and Michael HODGETTS just back from the baths

I found this old photo of myself and Michael HODGETTS just back from a trip to the local swimming baths on the Hereford road. Can't remember how old we were but it must have been when we were at Junior school or just starting secondary. Happy days of our youth, no worries, no cares. But the water was bloody cold though...BM

I remember that pool well and yes I remember how cold it was, but such fun we had there...JB

Lovely photo of you both, yes happy days, great memories x...CP

It was great at the pool,Judy! Damn cold though!! Haha...DA

Yes that swimming pool was very cold, but lots of fun...JD

I hope you remember me Brian. I was tall enough to stand up in the deep end, so I had a job as a lifeguard! Only trouble was when the pool attendant, can't remember his name, gave me a lift into town in his Austin A35. Needed to be a contortionist to get me legs in, even when I was slim...PH

Was that Mr OWEN...JB

Yes I remember you very well Phil, and I think the attendant was Harry Owen. I'm sure he drove an A35...BM

1963

Carole PREEDY and Phil MANNS just in the back ground

Great photo Carole, even PM looks young...BH

Bet it was cold when the trains went past and sent a breeze your way!!lol...JL

Spent all my summer holidays there, what memories thank you for this photo...GT

Lovely Carole great little figure!...JB

Great photo Carole, had lots of fun there!...RW

My bro looks frozen!...SM

Lovely photo. We had some very happy times there. Its also where I met my future hubby Roy he was the lifeguard!!!! x...GB

Agree - lots of good times esp with 6d of chips and scrumps on the way home ...JB

Where exactly was it...JS

Hereford road just down below the old railway bridge. Houses there now. Behind the houses you can see the two archways under the railway line, that's where the old canal used to run through...BM

Happy days at that old pool...BM

OMG we were really naughty then, we only had Mr OWEN and Mr WEBBER as pool attendants, neither whom could swim. When it was time to get out of the pool at 8pm summer time, we would all jump back into the pool. We had wooden changing rooms in which we would all go back inside, then thumping on the walls called outdoors Weberster, bang, bang, bang, against the doors. Oh now thinking about it we were the kidds from hell. We always got schrumps and chips after swimming. I lived on Hilltop fruit farm so when cherries and apples were season I got into the swimming pool pool free...AM

No circulating pump until 1953 . Before that the water was changed once a week! Usually Tuesday evening when you couldn't see the bottom at the shallow end . It was freezing on Wednesdays . We were much better off in the Leadon ...JG

I loved swimming but my God was it cold in the wooden cubicle when we got out. I think I got dressed in record time there. Happy days...DM

I used to swim there a lot in the 60's...JD

Lovely photo spent lots of good times there...SG

Was very young when I visited the pool. When did it shut down?...AL

Amazing photo lovely costume ! the good old days!...JM

Ha ha don't know about cossie but they were good days certainly...CP

I think those cossies were lovely...SD

...

Late 1960s

Sticky DAVIES jumping in the Deep End with one of the GEDDES girls. Looks like Trout POWELL at the back.

Some daring or daft lads used to dive off the roof of the Deep End into the pool. Looks a long way but thy did it..

Never ventured down the deep end! great fun place old tyre inners for swimming in do you remember there was double doors leading onto the road up some steps by shallow end? never saw them open dont know why they were there? we all used to go down the walkway to get in

We always went through the gates by the road at the shallow end. I suppose the big queues at the road was a safety hazard, so it was moved around the side..

I was one of those fools diving off the cubicle roof, remember someone DAVIS not making it and scrapping all down his front he soon jumped out when the clorine got into the grazes

Remember a Mr LEWIS taking money & letting us in

Mr DANIELS had something to do with it im sure

Was it Harry OWEN

Albert BADHAM took the money sometimes aswell

Don't forget Mr WEBB

Len LEWIS lived in Queens Way. Nicknamed Ticker.

I remember Harry OWEN there sat in his chair dozing off. Dont think he could wait to blow his whistle so we would all have to go home

Where I learnt to swim !

I learnt to swim here, red badge for a width, green for a length, Yellow badge for lengths with some backstroke I think, I can't remember all the badges. I remember Tina WILLIAMS was a good swimmer!!

Talking about good swimmers, Dave TOOBY the Tarzan of Ledbury used to get in and seemed to swim lengths non stop until it was time to get out

I remember walking to this swimming pool from the Grammar school, by the time we got changed, in the freezing water, got breath back, it was time to get out and walk back!!

Remember being so ill one day at the pool,what did they put in the water!!!!!Sally and Joe had to help me across the fields home

That was probably Chlorine, which was used to kill off germs, they must have let you in before it had settled, I remember it used to smell awful for ages

...

Robert ( Sticky ) DAVIES, Jennifer MAY

Where is Mr OWEN?

Do you mean Mr WEBB. Whose catch phrase when he threw anyone out was "And don`t come no more"...

They say the pool now is cold! should have tried that one the way it was it would have given health and safety a field day yet i always loved it as did many others and we survived!

The best time to go for a swim was when it was raining the water strangely got warmer !!...

Was Len LEWIS one of the men who worked the "plant-room" ?...

Len used to work there from time to time. We used to call him ticker.....

Used to see him always pushing his bike and he used to go up by the old AA box where you turn off for Eastnor to do something with the water!..

Yes he had to monitor the flow and make sure everyting was ok. Len was always going somewhere on that bike....

Didnt he also used to look after the clock?...

That pool looked really big when you were a kid, it looks quite small on the photo, great days those...

Had some happy times there but the water was bloody cold though...

Cold and windy but learnt to swim there....i think it was Mr McKENSIE who took us ...yes 99% sure. Filled in now i hear ...

Bit more than filled in house on it now !!...

My Dad called Mr LEWIS "Ticker" cos he looked after the clock, don't know if that was his nickname...

I liked old Bob WEBB, lived next door to me. I remember Dusty DAVIES calling him when we were all waiting outside for him to open up. "The Webster" in a sing song way....

It was a long walk from school for swimming lessons and always very cold water...

I remember dad had a cine film. Yeah I remember Mr OWEN with his whistle! Summer's seemed so much better, warmer and longer back then....

I loved that pool!...

I wanted to live in the house next to the pool....

Best to go when it was raining - water didn't feel as cold then....

I have memories of that pool. Must have been quite young as I was about 8 when the new pool was opened....

The old wooden huts, the freezing water, the rough concrete, oh great fun though...

Yeh, spent many hours shivering there and peeking through the knotholes...

There was a springboard with NO spring in it...

And some of the Costumes used to go all Transparent when they got wet...

...

Robert ( Sticky ) DAVIES, going for a perfect ten

Nice shot of the rear of the wooden bungalow!...

Yes all gone now...

We used to lean up against that fence as the sun in the afternoon warmed it, you could always smell the creosote!!...

Mmmm creosote.....

Water looks a bit choppy...

I still love the smell of creosote, it brings back memories...

...

Early 1970s

The much loved Ledbury swimming baths - where I learnt to swim, next to me is my sister Debbie COLE ( Betambeau )

I doubt there are many photos of it, what amazed me is this was a little kodak instamatic camera, yet dad seemed to take great slides and photos...

John BADHAM & his family lived in the bungalow, such good memories of the old baths really does seem like yesterday ...

Had my first swimming lessons here...

I went to Bosbury School and we used to come here by bus every Friday afternoon for our swimming lesson and I got my red badge on my last day at primary school....used to take me half the lesson to get the courage to jump in....wimp!! ...

God we had some fun in that pool even though the water was freezing...

I remember great days at the pool being pestured by Carole and her gang...

I doubt though it would be allowed today, but by comparison the ledbury pool now is luxurious! great days though we all had such fun ...

Remember this pool well, the water was freezing but it didn't stop us. No life guards or health and safety those days ...

I dont remember the water being that blue tho...

Puts the shivers right through me now bab, looking at our local puddle / pool way back in the 60s. Good God we were a very hardy bunch in them days...

Thats not how i remember it, the water was black and had leaves and twigs floating on it, scarred for life....

Wow, I spent many an hour in this pool and then walked home a rather nice shade of blue.....brrrrr. Should have used it for ice skating lol...

Purple more like it was that cold. It looks blue because the pool was painted blue, this was just after it reopened for summer. I think it opened around easter time...

Gosh !! that brings back so many memories!!...

I went to this pool. Mr UNDERWOOD used to pull us along on a long pole which had a strap attached. I was so scared. Can anyone else remember this? This must have been late 40s 50s, Hate the cold now so why can' t I remember how cold it was then?...

I remember a Mr LEWIS, can recall a long pole with im sure it was a wooden ring attached to it used to pull us along...

I loved that pool and used to pretend not to hear the whistle when it was time to come out!! ...

Cant remember how you paid?...

I know this may sound stupid! I remember the old wooden changing huts, but can anyone remember, did we just leave our things in there until we had finished, just can't remember! ...

Yes they were left in there, someone you knew would come & say which is your cubicle can I share with you, before you knew it you were sharing with a dozen people, clothes always landed up on floor all wet did we mind ? no it was fun ...

You paid as you went in and were usually given a ticket off a roll...

Remember paying 6pence or to us a tanner!!!...

Thats right, yes, you didnt care if a stranger or not, nothing went missing but your clothes often ended up soaking wet on the floor!...

Sunday morning swims if and when it was open. Best to go when it was raining 'cos the water didn't feel as cold. Cools me down just looking at this one. They were good times. If you went in the evening and could scrounge another 'tanner' you could buy chips on the way home and eat them out of the paper (by making small hole in side of packet) - who needs Mackie D's! ...

Don't forget the scrumps!!!!...

I can remember when we used to walk there from school. I always tried to get a note from my Mum or Dad to be excused the swimming lesson!!!...

A tanners worth of chips with scrumps out of the newspaper went down well after our trip to the pool yum...

Yes, the scrumps - and how disappointing when they hadn't got any!...

I remember buying 'sour apple' sweets from the garage which was almost next door...

...

1973

The track across the fields from Long Acres / Margaret Road to the Swimming Baths on the Hereford Road

Brilliant !!!! Walked along there a few times I remember how hot it was in the summer back then as well , always seemed miles...

IT CERTAINLY DID!!!...

Lovely Pics, walked down that path many times on the way to the pool...

Loved the walk through these fields to the pool,especially when there was wheat/corn in there...

I used to play in these fields when I was a kid. From my bedroom window in Barnett Ave I could see a bit of the viaduct back in those days ! Never imagined the area would be covered in houses all the way to the Hereford Road....

How many of us have cut across here on the way to "Sandy Bay"...

Great photo. I've never seen photos of this area of Ledbury before it was built on...

"Sandy Bay" still surviving its a bit dry now though. They should never have been allowed to change the course of the brook....

Sandy Bay, you could go via what we called Barnetts Meadow...

The meadow was also a favourite in winter, it was on a hill and the downhill slope towards the viaduct side when covered in snow was great for Sledging...

Within 5 minutes you could be miles away from anywhere Dog Hill / The Frith / The Conigree / Down by the brook what a lovely town to grow up in the 50s/60s/70s lovely back then...

Yeh up by the Frith and all those springy Gorse bushes that didnt have thorns on them, run up, throw yourself in and the bush would throw you back out,hours of harmless fun...

Love this picture. This picture is "Old Ledbury" Thanks for posting it Sali...

Fantastic to share these memories with fellow Old Ledburians...

We all used to play in the cave up the old quarry id love to see it again but its private property nowW..

Mum Audrey EDGE remembers walking with Mr WALTERS over the fields to his small holding which he had next to the swimmimg baths...

My mum walked to the Orchard [it was called] every morning when I was a child to feed the chickens. Dad used to sell his runner beans to people...

We were so lucky to have the freedom that we had then...

The foot path runs adjacent to the old railway line there still is a path on the original line it ran on Tarmac now starts in primary school carpark used to be a gate or style there...

...

The view from the track across the fields from Long Acres / Margaret Road to the Swimming Baths on the Hereford Road

The view from the track across the fields from Long Acres / Margaret Road towards Hill House Farm, Ross Road

The view from the track across the fields from Long Acres / Margaret Road towards Hill House Farm, Ross Road

Sources

1914 Kington / Newent Reporter Newspaper - Herefordshire History

1914 - 1919 Ledbury Guardian Newspaper - Herefordshire History

1916 Tilley's Almanack

Photographs are credited to the owners

Comments are from members of the Old Ledbury Facebook Group

Cuttings from Ledbury Reporter newspapers

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