Down memory lane to Riddiford Baths
Opened in 1929 and closed in 1981, the Riddiford Baths were right in the heart of Lower Hutt. The pools were demolished in 1987 but they’d made their mark on generations of swimmers coming through.
This week on Neighbourly we asked you what you remembered about the pools. Were there any specific people or events that sprung to mind on seeing the words ‘‘Riddiford Baths’’?
ANNA RUSSELL, STOKES VALLEY
Brings back awesome memories - having fun with friends - can’t turn the clock back but memories last forever.
MARINA POUSEI, TAITA
Mymumremembers her days swimming at the baths she said it was a lovely place to go with her sisters. It was smaller than Naenae and not as nice. But a great swimming spot.
GEORGE CARLSON, WAIWHETU
Ahhh the good years, 70kg lighter
KEITH MILES, AVALON
Mr Smith was the custodian for many years who was very strict but fair.
DEAN CHRISTIE, HUTT CENTRAL
And his 2ic, aMr Watson.
DONNA PETTIT, KOROKORO
So many good memories of being there in the late 70s, in my childhood memories, there were drop down, or step down pools, best summer too, 1978.
TRAFFIC ADD-ONS
Artist’s impressions are wonderful. Your illustration on page 10 (Hutt News, May16) shows the tide out, a calm and sunny day and people having a pleasant ride along a $35 million plus cycleway.
Reality would be quite different. Wellington Harbour experiences the occasional ‘‘little Southerly gust’’, the tide often can be high and it is not always sunny. This was demonstrated earlier this month when the rail line was closed because waves had broken over it and it was checked for debris removal. Your illustration shows no seawall to protect the cycleway and it is some 4 metres closer to the sea.
Governments, both local and National, seem to regard cycleways as the solution for traffic issues. Throughout the Hutt Valley itself this would be logical, but reality suggests that we are unlikely to see people out of cars and onto bikes everyday riding to and from Petone and Wellington. This cycleway has a mainly recreational function. It is also expensive.
I have seen no improvements on SH2 between Petone and Wellington. It is a slow, narrow piece of highway. Why is there not real investigation into improving SH2 from Petone to Wellington? Has the NZTA looked at this or have they remained steadfastly focussed on their expensive Petone-Grenada option?
Let’s get some appropriate improvements to traffic not these ‘‘nice-to-have’’ expensive add-ons which will not improve traffic flow for commuters.
Richard Cole
Korokoro
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