So sorry to see another pool shut
DEAR Editor, Yet another Birmingham municipal swimming baths is to close its doors.
This time it is the exquisite Edwardian Tiverton Road, Selly Oak pool for the chop – scheduled to shut in May 2018. This follows shortly after the beautifully designed Northfield pool was demolished.
What a crying shame that Birmingham City Council could not have preserved the magnificent façade of that building which had been a landmark in Northfield since 1937.
What buildings of aesthetic appeal remain in Northfield? The frontage of the Black Horse public house and the library?
The good news is that the Tiverton Road building, which has served the community for more than 100 years, will not be demolished.
The commemorative stone marking the opening of the baths still sits proudly in place.
I am told that the building played its part in the Great War and was used by injured soldiers.
It is poignant to think that young lads from Selly Oak and surrounding areas would have visited the pool, which still retains some of its original features today including the upper floor viewing gallery and benches, before later serving in the army and navy during the 19141918 war. Sadly, many of these brave people never came back to Birmingham.
The Tiverton Road pool will be sorely missed.
Peter Henrick, Northfield, Birmingham