Posters …. armchairs ….. heaps of bric-a-brac and the grandeur of Victoria Baths

So, I have been gently taken to task by a Facebook chum for  omitting to point out that the very successful Vintage Fairs at Victoria Baths benefit both the vintage traders and the venue. *

Three glass jars, two candle holders and a changing room

And I own up, it was a glaring omission particularly as it was clear that our entrance ticket went into the pot for the restoration and maintenance of this former swimming baths.

Moreover, the place is a wonderful venue for those traders selling interesting, “things”, many of which were once commonplace objects in our house in the middle decades of the last century, along with those stunning posters and other cultural ephemera.

At the time I was over sniffy at the way the objects of my childhood and adolescence were now on sale again, picked over by generations who hadn’t been born when these desirable and collectable items were first produced.

Iconic film poster, 1924

But then as my friend pointed out many of the things were far sturdier than their modern counterparts and in an age which recognises the value of recycling it makes sense to offer them up again.

Hamlet and other attractions, 2024

And as if to underline that observation as we wandered the stalls two young women were walking out with a set of elegant looking kitchen chairs, another was purchasing a 1950s guide to Manchester, and loads of people were admiring a mix of original posters being sold by Mr. Hales.

So, to quote an American newspaper headline “We All Win”.

To which of course there is the architecture of Victoria Baths, which are an insight into how we once did public buildings.

Not that I am going to rehearse its story that is best left to the charity charity  which has saved and works to preserve the place. **

The office, 2024

Heaps of posters, 2024

Down the corridor, 2024

Busy day at Victoria Baths, 2024

Location; Victoria Baths

Pictures; Posters, armchairs, heaps of bric-a-brac and the grandeur of Victoria Baths, 2024, from the collection of Andrew Simpson

*A bit of vintage ..... heaps of history .... all in a day at Victoria Baths, https://chorltonhistory.blogspot.com/2024/06/a-bit-of-vintage-heaps-of-history-all.html

**Victoria Baths, https://victoriabaths.org.uk/about/

A bit of vintage ..... heaps of history .... all in a day at Victoria Baths

 Yesterday we dopped into Victoria Baths.

It is a place I have known and walked past heaps of times since I first arrived in the city over 50 years ago.

But that said it is also a place I never went into, and that is a shame.

So, on the strength of two tickets to the Vintage Home Show on Sunday we discovered the former baths, which opened 1906, Victoria Baths and “was described as ‘the most splendid municipal bathing institution in the country’ and ‘a water palace of which every citizen of Manchester can be proud.’

The building provided spacious and extensive facilities for swimming, bathing and leisure. 

It was built of the highest quality materials with many period decorative features: stained glass, tiles, and mosaic floors.

Victoria Baths served the people of central Manchester for 87 years and established themselves in the affections of all those who used the facilities”. *

I could say more about its history, the campaign to save it and its present role as a “popular heritage, events and community venue” but I would only be lifting the information from their own excellent web site so I won’t, other than suggest you follow the link link to them. *

The Vintage Home Show was that mix of “stuff” much of which was commonplace in most homes in the middle decades of the last century but has now gained the title of vintage.

And that is a bittersweet thing for me, because having been born in the first half of the last century, grown up in the 1950s, became a teenager in the 60s and a proper adult in the 1970s, most of what was on offer didn’t feel vintage to me, but just the backdrop to my life.

But its presence for sale here in Victoria Baths was a recognition that I too have become vintage …..  perhaps not with the price tag that accompanies so many of the items but still a walking example of old.

All of which could be painful, more so when I think how cheap some of the objects were when they entered our house, but I will desist and instead reflect on the architecture of the Baths.

It is an ornate and impressive public building and reminded me of the one in Deptford I used to go.

It too was full of glazed coloured tiles which looked good and were easy to clean and like Victoria Baths had a series of pools given over to mixed bathing as well as a segregated alternative.

More than the grandeur it was the memories that came flooding back, memories of walking into the swimming baths on a cold February day and being hit by the wall of warm and the smell of chlorine. 

A sensation which could be overpowering and had the ability to cause you to start perspiring almost before you had got into the changing cubicles.

And afterwards the way that your clothes did not feel as comfortable, which might have had something to do with damp socks and the tangled underwear which in my case was because I never dried myself properly.

Nor were you ever prepared for walking back out of warm steamy place into the cold on the other side of the door, or that ravenous appetite which usually meant ending up in the chip shop on the way home.

So, did I enjoy the Vintage Home Show?  

Yes, up to a point but how much more fun was it to walk through the baths themselves.

Location; Victoria Baths

Pictures, inside Victoria Baths, 2024, from the collection of Andrew Simpson

*Victoria Baths, https://victoriabaths.org.uk/about/

A ghost building revealed ........... behind Victoria Baths in 1964

Yesterday I was at the back of Victoria Baths with one of Andy Robertson’s pictures, and as part of the story I pondered on those ghost buildings that show up in the photograph.

And as quick as flash Terence Hunt came back with one of his own pictures from 1964 which pretty much explains the ghost buildings.

And that is all I am going to say, except of course a thank you to Terence, and

of course Andy.

Pictures; Victoria Baths, 1964 from the collection of Terence Hunt and the baths in 2015 courtesy of Andy Robertson

The bits of Victoria Baths which seldom get seen nu 1 ........... a ghost building and a window

Now like many people I have a soft spot for Victoria Baths and have followed the long campaign to restore the building.

And so here are a few of the bits of the Baths which I have never seen, and yes they are taken by Andy Robertson who continues to document so many different aspects of the history of the twin cities.

This first one intrigues me with its evidence of a ghost building.  I have no idea what it was but I guess it will be in the records of the Baths and also will be one that some people remember.

As these things go I bet it will have been nothing more romantic that an ancillary coal shed but I would like to know.

In time I will revisit Andy’s pictures exploring a little more of the Baths you seldom see.

Pictures; Victoria Baths 2015, from the collection of Andy Robertson

Victoria Baths Local History Fair September 1st 2013

Now here is one for the diary.

On Sunday September 1st Victoria Baths will be staging a Local History Fair, with stalls, displays, workshops, archive films and guided tours.  All this and a Cafe on site, Children’s trail and free parking.

So “visit Victoria Baths, Manchester’s amazing grade 11 listed pool and explore the local history of the Greater Manchester area.

This is one of the regular Open Day events, the first Local History Fair in September 2010 had over 600 visitors.

As well as a range of stalls there will be additional activities including workshops on topics of interest to local history groups and members of the public. 

So far the organisers have planned a couple of workshops on researching family history in the First World War – one by the Lancashire & Manchester Family History Society and one by historian Bill Williams on how he researched his uncles’ involvement in the First World War.

As well as the Local History Fair, visitors and stall holders will be able to view the building and go on one of the guided tours on offer throughout the day, if they wish. Hot and cold refreshments will be on sale in our café and the Souvenir Shop will be open. There will also be  specially designed children’s activities.

There is a photo of the previous Fair on the “Beyond the Baths blog"
http://beyondthebaths.wordpress.com/history/local-history-groups/ 0161 224 2020 or email history@victoriabaths.org.uk.

Picture; courtesy of Victoria Baths

A phone from the 1950s, a poster of Dr No and the film of the event

Now I only wish Michael and Nigel of Hardy Productions had told me in advance that they were filming in Victoria Baths last Sunday or that the subject was a showcase of furniture and ephemera from the 1950s through to the 1970s.

Nostalgia is not something I go for, but you can’t be interested in history and not want to touch stuff even if it is from our recent past.

All of which brings  me to  their new blog, http://hardyprodsuk.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/bringing-back-memories.html?spref=tw and suggest you look at their film of the event. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHrtLy7rFiI

Picture; courtesy of Hardy Productions