Shrewsbury Public Swimming Baths: Over One Hundred Years of History

The Royal Baths in Coton Hill

Eddoes Shropshire Journal in July 1837 states that the Royal Baths were opened on the 11 July. It contained a swimming and pleasure bath measuring 45 feet by 25 feet. There were showers, cold and tepid, vapour baths, medicated on plain along with a salt water bath. They were advertised as having admirable effect in rheumatics, contagious diseases, deep seated pains, stiff joints and recent colds. There was adequate parking for horses and carriages.

In 1884 the Shrewsbury Chronicle reported that the baths committee were pleased with the satisfactory progress of the baths and wished the water to be filtered. They accordingly arranged with the estimates committee to have one fitted in the bank overlooking the baths at a cost of £250. The Annual cost of filtration would be £10.

In 1887 The Mayor opened a fund to supplement the Royal Baths in Coton Hill and also to build a new public baths, The Quarry Swimming Baths.

The Quarry Swimming Baths

Leave by the front entrance, turn right and right again in to Priory Road, halfway along the building is the original foundation stone. The Inscription reads: "This Stone was laid on 22 may 1893 by Constance Mary wife of Alderman George Butler Lloyd. Chairman of Baths Committee and Mayor in 1887", when a scheme for the erection of a Public Baths was originated and a fund for that purpose set up.

Opening Ceremony 14 May 1894

The opening ceremony, which had 250 guests, was on Whit Monday, 14 May 1894. Athletic events were held in the Quarry on this occasion and the laying of the foundation stone. Numerous fine speeches praised the forethought that had been put in to this fine new complex, hope was expressed that in future the youth of the district would become proficient in natatorial arts and that before long we shall have contests in which local swimmers will exhibit their prowess against champions of other Towns.

Baths Hailed a Success

Report of success followed, at the end of the first month 10,500 people had used the facilities, after two months 37,837 exclusive of ticket holders. The finance committee stated that if a break even figure of £750 per year or £2 per day was taken they would be satisfied. Prices of admission were adults 2 pence, juniors 1 penny. Forty years later in the 1930s it was still possible to swim for 1 penny.

Each week there were demonstrations by swimmers from afar in the art of life saving and survival techniques. Ornamental swimming was accompanied by a piano, a band played between events at Gala's. By October of the opening year two successful Gala's had been held. The baths committee reported that now was the time to add a spectator gallery so that many more could witness these fine entertainment's. A reserve fund was available, therefore not one shilling would burden the rates, cost £340.

Shrewsbury was justly proud as it advertised its grand cluster of public baths. There were two pools, we now know them as the Priory and Claremont Pools, they were referred as the 1st and 2nd class on sort, long plunges respectively. The first class pool measured 60 feet by 30 feet with thirty one dressing boxes. The second class pool measured 82.55 feet by 32 feet (64 lengths to one mile) had curtains to change behind underneath the spectator gallery. there were private baths referred to as slipper baths and the charge for their use was 6 pence which included soap and towel hire. The baths superintendent and his family lived in the complex.

Modernisation

For the next 75 years it remained unchanged apart from the filtering system. It started with live steam injection and cleansed by  a fill and empty system, but over the years innovations were introduced such as sand filters and later sand pressure filters and chemical dosing to cleanse the water.

In 1968/69 the whole complex was modernised, the Quarry Pool 33.3 metres long by 42 feet wide and the Teaching Pool 32 feet by 22 feet were added along with diving boards of 1.3 and 5 metres, a spectators gallery with seating for 300 together with lounge and cafeteria once again Shrewsbury Baths became the envy of many towns.