'Freezing cold water and Bovril' – dive into these baths memories
The water was freezing and the disinfectant foot well was horrendous but boy did you love the Newcastle Road baths.
We asked for your memories of the former Sunderland venue and you did not disappoint.
Last month we shared photosofthefinaldaysofthebaths and asked for your comments.
More than 50,000 people took a look at the story. Here is what you had to say.
Laura Downey said: “I remember the metal panelling separating the two pools with the tiny little circles as I would peep through to the smaller pool.
“Thechlorinetiledfootbath you were supposed to step in, but everyone stepped over it and I can remember some kind of animal bin in the reception like a penguin or duck with its mouth as the opening of the bin.”
SueHaleysaid:“Lovedacup of Oxo when I came out of the pool.”
Carol Graham Cole commented: “The water was cold, but still enjoyed it.”
Donna Weiss reflected: “The hot chocolate from the machine after swimming was just the best !!!”
And Carly J Gray said: “Greatmemoriesofgoinghere.
OneofthememoriesIwillnever forget is jumping into the baby pool and breaking my toe. Then that manky brown water you had to step in when goingintothechangingrooms. Scarred me for life that.”
KayThompsonwasn’tafan of the disinfectant dip either and said ‘it stunk’.
Pat Anne Stewart remembered ‘going for lessons with theschoolandthewateralways very cold.’
Stewart Francis commented: “My grandad lived over the road and taught me how to swim there. Grange park school had the swimming classes there.”
Chris Sumby remembered ‘doingmy10mbadge.Progressing to Gold Water survival. Visited 5-6 times a week.”
KenTweedyreminiscedon ‘coming out of the water like a wrinkled prune then down to the windy corridor, brrrrr’.
And Matthew Mason-Gage remembered ‘the coat hanger thing with a basket on the bottom you put your clothes in instead of a locker’.
On the same theme, Chris Higginsasked:“Anyoneelseremember the massive baskets on a coat hanger that you'd hand into the changing room attendantinexchangeforyour wristband?”
Elizabeth Leng said: “We used to walk there from Redby Juniorsforswimminglessons.”
Helen Sylvia Kerr Voura said: “Went with school West Southwick and in summer went with the lasses from school. We had to choose on drying hair, bus fare or Bovril. We all chose Bovril and crackers.Enjoyedwalkhomesoaked to the skin. We never felt the cold.”
Selene Holyoak said ‘we always got a solid orange toffee type bar thing on the way out. I'm surprised any of our teeth survived’.
ColinRamsdenSnrrecalled ‘comingoutandgettingacupof Oxo and some cream crackers to warm up, mmmmm.”
Carl Weatherall said: “The water was always freezing lol’ and Gordon Harland simply commented ‘Cold ...... just cold.”
Our thanks go to everyone whotookthetimetoleavecomments.
To get in touch and share your own baths memories, email chris.cordner@jpimedia.co.uk