Dr Keith Myerscough PhD (ICSHC at De Montfort), MA (ICSHC), MEd (Manchester) B Ed (OU), Cert. Ed (Keele) Associate Member of SpLeisH (Manchester Metropolitan University).

Keith began his career as a teacher of physical education within the State School sector before moving on to manage the UK’s first basketball/netball facility in Stockport, Greater Manchester. He returned to teaching in the FE/HE sectors in 1999. He took early retirement from his post as a Senior Lecturer in Sport Studies at the University Centre, Blackpool in 2014.

Keith has written extensively on the social and cultural aspects of swimming. His PhD thesis was titled ‘Commercial Swimming in Nineteenth Century Lancashire’. Aspects of central government legislation on health reforms and how they were implemented by regional government are discussed. Lancashire influenced both public baths provision and commercial swimming as a branch of the entertainment industry. Blackpool, as a working class holiday destination served to promote Grand Water Shows for its Victorian visitors from the wealthy cotton mill-towns in Lancashire.

Keith has also researched and published a book entitled Joey Nuttall Champion Swimmer of the World – “The Stalybridge Merman”.

Keith Myerscough Commercial Swimming in Nineteenth Century Lancashire February 2022 (Revised August 2022) Copyright Version 2022

Victoria Baths

Manchester’s Victoria Baths A Social History – Part One

Municipal Public Baths – A Social and Cultural History

Keith Myerscough Municipal Public Baths A Social and Cultural History 1 Introduction

Keith Myerscough Municipal Public Baths A Social and Cultural History 2 An Economic & Political Imperative

Keith Myerscough Municipal Public Baths A Social and Cultural History 3 Civic Responsibility

Keith Myerscough Municipal Public Baths A Social and Cultural History 4 Community Pride

Stalybridge Corporation Baths

Keith Myerscough The Penny Scrub Stalybridge Corporation Baths March 2022

• Industrial Heritage (Part 1) – Cotton Lancashire’s Victorian Swimming Baths
• Industrial Heritage (Part 2) – Public Baths Providing Health, Hygiene and Exercise
• Industrial Heritage (Part 3) – Collier Street Baths: Past, Present, Future
• Industrial Heritage (Part 4) – Public Swimming Baths: A Civic Responsibility?
• The Stalybridge Merman – Joseph ‘Joey’ Nuttall