Rushden’s Swimming Bath Opened

Inside the swimming pool on opening day	The entrance

Dr. Greenfield Takes the First Plunge

Children’s Heritage

  The recently completed public bath in Station-road, Rushden, was formally opened to the public on Saturday afternoon by Dr. D.G. Greenfield (chairman of the Rushden Urban District Council), in the presence of the Councillors and a large crowd.

  In his preliminary remarks Mr. G.W. Coles, J.P., (vice-chairman of the Council), said it had been many years – about 25 years – since the question of a swimming bath was first introduced. Now they had got a beautiful bath. Reviewing the history of the bath, Mr. Coles said that, as many were aware, the question had been put before the town on many occasions. “I really think,” said Mr. Coles, “that we can date the bringing to completion of these baths to the winter of 1913-14. I remember quite well at that time three organisations – the Friendly Societies, the clubs, and the Trade Council – formed a joint committee, and they canvassed every working-class house in the town to sound the feeling on the matter. The result at that time was over 6,000 votes for and 1,000 against. A deputation was appointed to wait upon the Council in February, 1914, and we placed plans before them. The Council then began seriously to think it was time to take the matter up, and they appointed a deputation to visit other towns. Unfortunately war broke out and the matter was dropped.

  When the war was over a few years were allowed to elapse before the question cropped up again, and it was some four years ago that it was again raised.  A deputation consisting of Mr. C. W. Horrell, Mr. C. Claridge, and myself was appointed and we visited several towns where there were baths.  Whatever our feelings were, we were unanimous in recommending that the baths should be of an open-air character and that the work should be put in hand with all possible speed.  The reason we objected to a roof was the enormous expense.  The foundations have been laid, and a roof can be added at any time that the Council may desire.

  The bath, continued Mr. Coles, was 70 feet long and 40 feet wide.  The approximate cost had been £5,300, made up as follows : Land, £285, filtration plant, £1,300, contract for concrete, £2,060, contract for woodwork, brickwork, etc., £1,510, other incidentals, £140.00.  In most public baths he had been in, said Mr. Coles, there had been a filtration plant, and it was most desirable that they should have one from the point of view of economy in water and from the health point of view.

  In conclusion, Mr. Coles said : “I would appeal to everybody to justify our action in building the baths, to justify the expense in producing them, and we ask you to use them on every occasion you can and we shall be satisfied that whatever money has been spent has been well and truly spent.”

  Declaring the baths open, Dr. Greenfield said he was sure that was a memorable day in Rushden, when they had come to the fulfilment of a scheme in which many of them had been interested for a very considerable time.  He had been a very strong supporter of swimming baths, continued Dr. Greenfield, because as a member of the Council he felt that in a town of the size of Rushden swimming was part of the necessary equipment of everybody.  As a doctor he welcomed it from a health point of view, because he felt that by the children of this town it had been missed.  They had the river, which was both dirty and dangerous.  It was not safe to bathe in, and no doubt many could remember fatalities that had occurred there.  He felt that apart from a good home, good parents, a child’s heritage was fresh air, green grass, and clean water to swim in.  They had dealt with the grass question, and they now had a proper swimming bath.  He for one was a very strong supporter of the outdoor swimming bath.  He did not think there was a big Public School in England that had an indoor swimming bath.  From the health point of view he was perfectly convinced – and they were always having sermons preached on subjects of which they took no notice – that sunlight and fresh air had a very healthful effect on the body.  He strongly supported it as a swimmer.  As a swimmer he felt that swimming was one of the finest and most enjoyable exercises anybody could possible go in for, as well as giving health.  If they once attained the proficiency of swimming in a rough sea or a rapid river they would enjoy an exhilaration they would never get in any other sport.  He hoped that the public would support the Council by using the bath, and if it were used only by the children of the town then he felt they had been entirely justified. “I propose to open the door,” concluded the doctor, “and as the next step I propose to take the first plunge, in which I heartily invite you to follow me.”

Mr G W Coles J.P. introducing Dr D G Greenfield the opener

  The doctor then opened the door, and the crowd soon filled all the space around the bath.  Amid loud cheers Dr. Greenfield plunged into the chilly water, and Mr. A. Allebone, C.C., followed him.

  After the opening the Councillors and officials were entertained to tea by the Emergency Committee in the Ambulance Headquarters. Among those present were Dr. Greenfield and Messrs. G. W. Cole, J.P., C. Claridge, C. W. Horrell, C. A., J. Roe, A. Willmott, J. Spencer, F. Green, A. Allebone, C.C., J. T. Richardson, W. J. Beetenson (representing the Clerks), J. W. Lloyd (Surveyor), F. S. F. Piper (Sanitary Inspector), H. Lack (Rating Officer), H. N. Ginns (Surveyor’s Department), W. Packwood, Jun., and Whittington (contractors), with Alderman F. D. Brazier to represent the borough of Higham Ferrers.

  Moving a vote of thanks to Dr. Greenfield and the Emergency Committee, Alderman Horrell said they were greatly indebted to the doctor for opening the bath and for the example he had set to members of the Council – an example which he presumed they would all follow.  He was sure the statement made by the doctor with respect to the advantage of open baths over closed would have its effect in the town, and they could expect that the baths would be well patronised and a great asset to the town. He also thanked the Emergency Committee for the arrangements they made for the opening. In spite of the weather, the event could not have been more successful, and he foresaw that within a few months they would realise that the baths had supplied a long felt want.

  Mr. Roe, seconding, said the doctor had set a splendid example. Everything seemed to have gone very well indeed, and the great success of the opening augured well for the success of the under-taking. He thought the visitors had been agreeably surprised by what they had seen. In time, he thought, they would begin to wonder how they had gone on so long without the baths.

The first dive

  Mr. Spencer said that as he looked round he realised that he was the only one present who was a member of the first Urban Council.  When he first became a member they had no proper roads, footpaths, sewerage system, or water supply, and they certainly had no recreation ground.  But to-day they had all these things, and at last a splendid swimming bath.  He believed the venture would be a great success, for they had one of the finest open-air baths that could be found in the country.  They were much indebted to the doctor for his splendid dive into the water.  He should have liked to follow, but for certain reasons he could not. (Laughter).  He hoped, however, before the season ended to join with the others on the Council in having a dip.

  Alderman Brazier claimed the privilege of saying a few words “on behalf of the little town over the hill.”  He was quite sure that Higham would be greatly indebted to the Rushden Council for providing such an excellent bath, and he was certain that a very large proportion of the inhabitants of Higham would use it and be grateful to Rushden for providing such healthy sport and recreation.  He was hoping to see the day when Higham and Rushden would come even closer together, indeed, he would like to see the day when they would unite.

  Mr. Allebone remarked that a lot had been said about the cost of the bath, but they ought not to look upon it in terms of £  s  d.  The rising generation would be healthier, cleaner, and better citizens for what had been done.  It had been a difficult task for the sub-committee to get out prices and times, but with the help of Mr. Lloyd they had considered the arrangements made at other towns and drawn up a list they thought would suit Rushden. If it was found that other hours would be more suitable, they would be pleased to consider a revision.

The gate and turnstile from the pool - rescued by Clive Wood

Rushden Echo, 19th February 1926, transcribed by Kay Collins The Idea of converting the Gimson Shoe machinery Company’s works, College-street, into premises for Rushden’s public baths has been considered and rejected. Dr Greenfield at the last meeting of the Rushden Urban Council, supported the provision of open-air baths for the town, being a strong believer in open-air swimming.

Rushden Echo & Argus, 11th July 1954, transcribed by Kay Collins It was agreed to make temporary repairs at the swimming bath, where some of the cubicles have been placed "out of bounds." Permanent repairs are under discussion. Extract from Council meeting

Top centre of this 1950s picture is John Cave and Sons Ltd, factory built in 1901, and later extended. The grass area below is the land of their 'Comonwealth Sports Ground'. Also in this view, bottom left of centre is the old open-air swimming pool. Across the road from the sports ground is the factory of Wilkins & Denton (formerly Bignells) and near the bottom right corner is part of the Jaques and Clark factory. At the bottom the railway track and the old British United Shoe Machinery factory, now occupied by Hunt's Printers.

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