Of things in city
In 2014, Govanhill Baths marked the centenary of its foundation stone being laid. A magnificent Edwardian public bathhouse, it was home to three swimming pools, hot baths and a steamie.
Govanhill Baths Community Trust (GBCT) was born out of a community action group – Save Our Pool Southside Against Closure (SAC) – which began occupying the Baths in March 2001 when it was threatened with closure.
The occupation – believed to be the longest occupation of a public building in British history – lasted for five months.
GBCT was formed in 2004 and since then has been campaigning to reopen the Baths under the slogan United We Will Swim Again. A fundraising campaign collected more than £6.7 million to re-open the building as a community-led health and wellbeing centre in 2021.
The archive was established to preserve the fascinating history of the building and the people who have used it over the decades.
“Most of the early materials are fixtures and fittings left by the city council, like informational signs for the Turkish baths, and the beautiful cast iron boiler taps,” says Paula.
“We have some black and white photographs of children being taught how to swim with a rope tied under their arms – certainly not a method used today- and we found blocks of pink carbolic soap in an old cupboard in the basement.”
Joseph Welch, former secretary of The Govanhill Amateur Swimming Club, donated the handwritten, leather-spined minute book for the period 1935 to 1968, which holds pride of place in the collection.
The archive also features materials from the Save Our Pool campaign, including placards and banners, T-shirts, a protest song book and videos of the picket and the 1000-strong march against closure.
“What has been obvious since we put out the call is that people came from all over to visit the Baths, not just from the local streets and areas,” says Paula.
“It was part of people’s lives, and they were very fond of it.”
• Did you swim at Govanhill Baths? Were you a member of an amateur swimming club?
Do you remember the steamie? Get in touch with Paula on 07731 712482 or email archive@ govanhillbaths.com.