Ian
Dogherty |
How
I got Involved with Victoria Baths
Our introduction to Victoria Baths was in March. We'd seen an advert
in Area News for the March Heritage Open Days, and realising that
the building was almost literally on our doorstep decided to go
and have a look.
We
were completely unprepared for what came into view as we rounded
the corner on Hathersage Road. Victoria Baths, elegant, dripping
with ornate stone work, standing proud against the march of time
all around it; the 1970s Slum Clearance of Plymouth Grove, the enormous
Norweb building next door. The red brick and brown stone that is
so 'Manchester' being the first of many 'Wow' Moments that day,
and since.
Save
Victoria Baths |
Victoria
Baths was built between 1903 and 1906, at huge cost. There are three
entrances, Males First Class, Males Second Class, and Females. The
Males First Class entrance is the only one currently in use, and
is therefore the way in for open days. After entering through the
original wood and iron Rush Preventers (turnstiles), you move into
the First Class Entrance. To describe it as being tiled would be
like describing The Vatican as a Church. The floor is a mosaic.
The walls are Art Nouveau Pilkington glazed tiles. All the way up.
The staircase is clad in ornate green tiling. The kind of space
that you can't help but stopping and staring at. That I still stop
and stare at every time I see it.
The
Angel of Purity |
But
the real gem of Victoria Baths is the glass. Every window contains
elaborate, beautiful, and unique stained glass. Earth, Water, Sportsmen,
all of them mini masterpieces in their own right. The Jewel in the
glass crown however, is the Angel of Purity. Watching over the Turkish
Rest Room in purples and blues like some kind of guardian, when
the sun shines the room comes alive. You can smell the leather and
wood, the gently perspiring patrons, maybe a whiff of expensive
cigar as you stand there.
This
was just the beginning of our involvement in the Victoria Baths,
and now we are actively involved in trying to restore this building
to something of its former glory. Twice a month we meet with the
Friends and the Trust to discuss what is happening with the Baths,
and what else can be done to secure the funding we need. All of
it revolves around the first Sunday of each month when the Baths
are open for public view.
From
Richard J Ernill in Timperley
There must be a place for the baths in the re-vamped city with so
many of the older buildings being restored recently. However, we want
it available for use by the public and not converted to a 'block of
flats'.
From
Ken Latham in Macclesfield
Well worth restoration, it will help to improve the local area. I
used to go there in the 1950's for swimming lessons with my school'.
From
Louise MacBryde
I hope this project gets completed. I think Victorian Architecture
is absolutely fascinating, and no more than a Public Baths, so reminiscent
of that period. Macclesfield had a lovely old Baths based in Davenport
Street, which although maybe not as grand as Victoria Baths, was also
reminiscent of an earlier period in our history. I'm not sure if Macclesfield
Baths were Victorian, but they were certainly early 20th Century and
I thought it was disgraceful when they were demolished.
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