Seedley Baths were designed by Messrs. Mangnall and Littlewoods, Spring Gardens, Manchester, having won the competition for the scheme.
The building was opened in 1910 and contained:
Three large plunge‑baths Men’s first Class 75ft x 30ft with Spectator Gallery Men’s Second‑class 75ft x 30ft Women’s 60ft x 25ft
Slipper Baths Men’s with Waiting Room First Class 9 Second Class 12
Slipper baths Women’s with Waiting Room First Class 3 Second Class 6
Men’s Vapour Bath Women’s Vapour Bath
Seedley Baths
Extract from The Building News June 28, 1907
SEEDLEY PUBLIC BATHS, SALFORD
These baths have been gained in competition by Messrs. Mangnall and Littlewoods, and the scheme was passed by the Council, Wednesday, June 12. The Proposed baths are intended to simply Seedley, Weaste, and Hope Wards. The suite of baths contains three large plunge baths, men’s first and second class, and one for women. There is also provided a large number of slipper baths: nine first-class men’s, three first-class women’s; twelve second-class men’s, and six second-class women with the necessary waiting-rooms attached. Vapour baths will be provided to the first-class parts. Every effort has been made by the architects to bring the baths up to date in all particulars. The first-class bath, which it is proposed to use for gala performances, has a large gallery and is situated in an excellent position for affording exits and entrances. An arrangement has been made whereby the ladies, in addition to the men’s first and second class, have each their own separate vestibule hall, out of which each class enter to their own respective slipper and plunge baths. With one or two minor exceptions all parts of the baths used by the public are on the ground floor and the parts of the baths used by the staff are in the basement. The working parts of a bath are a most important matter, having due regard to the provision of hot and cold water for baths and cleaning purposes to all the slipper, plunge, and foot baths, lavatories, &c. , and a large boiler-house, pump-room, and laundry have been provided for this purpose. The elevations have been designed in the Renaissance style and would be faced with buff terracotta and red Accrington bricks. The estimated cost of the complete scheme is about £24,000.
Seedley Baths Building News 28 June 1907Seedley Baths Salford Elevation to Derby Road Building News 28 June 1907
Seedley Baths Salford Elevation to White Street The Building News June 28, 1907Seedley Baths Salford Floor Plans Building News 28 June 1907
My father Eric Johnson was the manager of seedless baths from 1960 upto closing 1978/9 my mother also worked in ticket office Agnes 4 brothers Diarmuid, Michael, Eric and baby bro Martin we were very popular with our friends as we would snake them in on Saturdays and Sundays owing to having 3 indoor pools, they were the best years ,
I’m sorry to say that our Diarmuid sadly passed away on Friday 14th June aged 68 following long illness, he will be sadly missed, but never forgotten, God bless you brother, x
I remember being part of the swimming squad here, but I only remember there being there were very few of us, maybe 4 or 5, being taught initially by Mr Wilcox and subsequently by a man with a prosthetic leg, though as a young child I remember I was quite frightened of him.
I remember going to Seedly Baths with St Lukes School in 1950’s. The water was always freezing. I never did become a good swimmer. My sister Suzanne did and went on to teach swimming after she was married.
Hi Les, I remember you as you lived opposite the pool and lived a few doors up from my Gran at 33 Derby rd where I was born. I remember you as a great Breast stoke swimmer but could never understand why you weren’t a member of Salford club. I last remember you swimming for Wythenshawe and we played polo against each other when I also swam for Harpurhey as well as Salford. Geoff Holme
My memory of you Marjorie is that at the street party for the Coronation in your mums house I had to kiss you as a pass the parcel forfeit😩
I lived on Derby Rd went to the baths and a couple of lads from the polo team, my mates
Robin Davies sadly passed about 7 years ago
Roy Kenyan plays at the same golf club as me
Gordon zBeesley, I still watch rugby with him
Hope you’re well Marjorie and I’ll send you a kiss for the nearing Coronation😉
Hi John, If you were a member of the club around that time you may also remember me. I have a photo of Roy Kenyon when Salford won the Manchester and district Under 18’s Water Polo league and KO. I have the full team photo . I used to travel to training with Roy all over the North West. Give him my best. Geoff |Holme [current chair of Salford City Swimming Club and member from 1962 to present day!]
Hi Marjorie, I remember you. Great swimmer with a cozzie with a zip on. I used to watch you do the handicaps on a Friday night organised by Frank Andrews. I think you used to come to my house to learn short hand from my Mum. The Swimming club still continues at Broughton baths on a friday night starting at 6pm[you’d be very welcome to come and say hello].I think you were a similar age to Jeff Emmett. Geoff Holme current chair Salford City swimming club!
I worked a few shifts at the Baths. The majority of the bathers were in the cleansing area in shallow troughs filled with hot water. Occasionally a child would break and leap onto the pool.
The water in the pool was heated by an inefficient direct feed, so the water was very cold.
A pool attendant called Bestie seemed to be related to half the children in the building. She had a bee hive hairdo that required a constant spray of some toxic lacquer. At intervals she would break off from her knitting to indicate that the water on the troughs needed to be changed. This was usually when a scum had formed on the surface of the water. Long before that the children in the trough would shout for more hot water.
I used to go there from st Luke’s school we would walk double file hand in hand. I found the rear areas of the baths really foreboding. And the cockroaches were everywhere. My mam sent me with a pair of purple and lilac bry nylon y fronts. I went home and said mam all the kids are saying I had undies on .she wouldn’t have it .then one day I got home from school and she had knitted me a new pair.. enough said. Lol
My father Eric Johnson was the manager of seedless baths from 1960 upto closing 1978/9 my mother also worked in ticket office Agnes 4 brothers Diarmuid, Michael, Eric and baby bro Martin we were very popular with our friends as we would snake them in on Saturdays and Sundays owing to having 3 indoor pools, they were the best years ,
I’m sorry to say that our Diarmuid sadly passed away on Friday 14th June aged 68 following long illness, he will be sadly missed, but never forgotten, God bless you brother, x
I remember being part of the swimming squad here, but I only remember there being there were very few of us, maybe 4 or 5, being taught initially by Mr Wilcox and subsequently by a man with a prosthetic leg, though as a young child I remember I was quite frightened of him.
I remember going to Seedly Baths with St Lukes School in 1950’s. The water was always freezing. I never did become a good swimmer. My sister Suzanne did and went on to teach swimming after she was married.
Does any one out there remember me Marjorie Musker swimmer for Salford City club from 1954 until 1964
I lived at the baths from 1950 until 1956. My father was manager during those years. I was a member of the swimming club around 1959 – 60.
Les Douglass..sisters & brothers..lived opposite..never away!
Hi Les, I remember you as you lived opposite the pool and lived a few doors up from my Gran at 33 Derby rd where I was born. I remember you as a great Breast stoke swimmer but could never understand why you weren’t a member of Salford club. I last remember you swimming for Wythenshawe and we played polo against each other when I also swam for Harpurhey as well as Salford. Geoff Holme
My memory of you Marjorie is that at the street party for the Coronation in your mums house I had to kiss you as a pass the parcel forfeit😩
I lived on Derby Rd went to the baths and a couple of lads from the polo team, my mates
Robin Davies sadly passed about 7 years ago
Roy Kenyan plays at the same golf club as me
Gordon zBeesley, I still watch rugby with him
Hope you’re well Marjorie and I’ll send you a kiss for the nearing Coronation😉
John Shore
Sorry to hear abor Robin..Swam with Roy..lived at 27 opposite the baths..
Hi John, If you were a member of the club around that time you may also remember me. I have a photo of Roy Kenyon when Salford won the Manchester and district Under 18’s Water Polo league and KO. I have the full team photo . I used to travel to training with Roy all over the North West. Give him my best. Geoff |Holme [current chair of Salford City Swimming Club and member from 1962 to present day!]
Hi Marjorie, I remember you. Great swimmer with a cozzie with a zip on. I used to watch you do the handicaps on a Friday night organised by Frank Andrews. I think you used to come to my house to learn short hand from my Mum. The Swimming club still continues at Broughton baths on a friday night starting at 6pm[you’d be very welcome to come and say hello].I think you were a similar age to Jeff Emmett. Geoff Holme current chair Salford City swimming club!
I worked a few shifts at the Baths. The majority of the bathers were in the cleansing area in shallow troughs filled with hot water. Occasionally a child would break and leap onto the pool.
The water in the pool was heated by an inefficient direct feed, so the water was very cold.
A pool attendant called Bestie seemed to be related to half the children in the building. She had a bee hive hairdo that required a constant spray of some toxic lacquer. At intervals she would break off from her knitting to indicate that the water on the troughs needed to be changed. This was usually when a scum had formed on the surface of the water. Long before that the children in the trough would shout for more hot water.
I used to go there from st Luke’s school we would walk double file hand in hand. I found the rear areas of the baths really foreboding. And the cockroaches were everywhere. My mam sent me with a pair of purple and lilac bry nylon y fronts. I went home and said mam all the kids are saying I had undies on .she wouldn’t have it .then one day I got home from school and she had knitted me a new pair.. enough said. Lol