Birmingham – Erdington Baths
The following is taken directly from The City of Birmingham Baths Department 1851 – 1951. The work was written and compiled by J. Moth M.N.A.B.S Birmingham 1951 and is presented here.
As was to be expected, the residents of those districts in which it had not yet been possible to provide bathing facilities, were not slow in pressing their claims for consideration in the Committee’s programme of expansion, and the Erdington district was the next in which it was decided to erect baths.
A site was acquired in Mason Road, and an establishment comprising a swimming bath, suites of washing baths for men and women, and a Turkish baths, was erected and opened on 6th May, 1925.
Although convertible for use as a Hall, and in fact once used for this purpose, the Committee soon recognised that there was a demand in this area for swimming during the winter, and in consequence, the pool remains available for swimming throughout the year.
I learned to swim at Erdington Swimming Baths via a library book from the library just around the corner. I grew up during the war 1939-1945 when all swimming pools were closed. I joined Aston Swimming Club when I was 14 I went on to become a competitive swimmer until my marriage.
I emigrated to Australia with my family in 1964.
I joined Master Swimmers Australia at the age of 55 and started to compete again. I am now 92 and still compete in my age group. Competition is not too hard, only very few of us left now. I no longer do long distance swims in the sea. I find it hard to fight the waves.
Swimming is a wonderful sport for keeping fit, no weight bearing on the old knees. It is also a wonderful way to make friends from all over. I often wonder how my swimming friends are doing.
I have fond memories of learning to swim at Erdington Baths post war…canvas ring held on a pole..
My Mother used to go there for a Turkish Bath
Looking for any photographs of that time
No duplication that I can see