One historic Withington building …. a charity and a fun day with a purpose

Now  Withington Baths on Burton Road is the sort of place you’d like to plan a fun day with a purpose.

It opened in 1913 and after a century of serving the area was saved from closure in 2015, when the pool was  taken over by Love Withington Baths, which is a community-led charitable organisation.

That story is covered in detail on their site so rather than lifting someone else’s research I shall just point you to the link link.*

Instead this is the story of another charity which on a sunny warm Saturday last week held a fun day involving tubs of ice cold water and a heap of brave and resolute bathers who took the plunge.

The charity is Mandem Meetup “a grassroots charity promoting, correcting and improving the conversation around men’s mental health and wellbeing……. offering a relaxed, comfortable, and judgement-free space built to empower.”

And last week they were given a shedload of ice and what better to do than have a fun day which drew a mixed bunch of men, and women, the old and young who sat in a tub and had a bit of fun.

Added to which there were plenty of friends on hand to give encouragement, assist with the promotion of the charity and a regular flow of passers by who just wanted to join in.

So a good day all round.

A large group of hardy souls took part, more just came for a chat or like me were there for the pictures.

Location; Withington Baths

Pictures; Ice cold in Withington, 2024, from the collection of Andrew Simpson

*Withington Baths, https://withingtonbaths.com/

*Mandemmeet up, https://www.mandemmeetup.org/