Sheffielders remember happy days at Glossop Road Baths

Our recent look back at Glossop Road Baths (Retro, September 14) brought back fond memories for two readers.
Slightly more conventional swimming lessons at Glossop Road Baths in 1971Slightly more conventional swimming lessons at Glossop Road Baths in 1971
Slightly more conventional swimming lessons at Glossop Road Baths in 1971

John Mason from Shirecliffe wrote: “I have a lot of happy memories of Glossop Road baths. I was 20 years old at the time in 1950.

“They used to put a platform across the baths on Saturday night for dancing. Great times, smashing band. Met some lovely girls.

“I wonder if anyone else remembers it.”

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Jean Clayton from Stannington recalled: “Yes! I did learn to swim at Glossop Road baths. I attended St George's Infant School in 1939/40s and during our final year, we had a weekly swimming lesson.

“To begin with, our teacher, can't remember her name, but she was tall and slim, had a length of rope with a loop at one end which we put over our head and under our armpits.

“She then proceeded to walk slowly from the shallow to the deep end of the pool on the walkway by the side of the pool whilst we attempted to swim with our arms and legs. Then we swam back again to the shallow end. This we did three or four times.

“Then one of the older girls took over in the shallow end, placing one hand under my chin and the other lifting me up by the back of my swimming costume! We then swam several breadths back and forwards. This proved successful as I became a decent swimmer eventually!

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“My friends and I spent many happy times at the baths during our school holidays. We purchased a 1d ticket and went through the turnstile into the pool. Fond memories.

“My dad used the slipper baths on a Saturday morning, not having a bathroom of our own.

My friends and I spent many happy hours there dancing on a Saturday night, on quite a springy floor! Tickets were in demand for Christmas and New Year.

“My last visit to the building was with my daughter a few years ago for her birthday, when we had a day at Spa 1877. Very enjoyable.”

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