Dulwich Public Baths
Encyclopedia
Dulwich Public Baths was opened in 1892, making it London's oldest public baths in continuous operation. It is based in Dulwich
, South London
, England
.
The main pool was boarded over in 1982 (now the main gym area) leaving the second pool still in operation.
Charges were 6d for a 1st class swim and 2d for 2nd class (class being the choice between the main and second pools) with charges for schools varying between 3d to 1d depending on the agreement with each school. The basic swimming charge was to stay at 6d until 1957.
The Baths were available for hire for various functions including dances, indoor sports and functions.
. The War Refugees Committee were allowed to use it for housing Belgian refugees. In 1915 the baths briefly return to public use but were then allocated for use of the Camberwell Gun Brigades (33rd Divisional Artillery). The Brigade vacated in July 1915 and the baths then were used for troop accommodation and housed two brigades of the Territorial Artillery
from September 1915. Public swimming resumed in 1917. The baths were used as an unofficial shelter throughout the frequent air raids of 1917 and the Council installed red and green lights to show "take cover" and "all clear" in addition to the sirens.
War preparations in 1938–39 before World War II
included laying floors over both swimming pools for use as First Aid posts and medical stores and equipment were brought in.
The fuel shortage in late 1939 lead to the pool being closed over winter. In 1940 the pools were again planned to close for the winter but the Auxiliary Fire Service asked for the pool to be kept full for use when dealing with air raid damage. The Council decided to keep the pools open as a result and adapted the pools for Fire Brigade pumps.
A shortage of towels during war-time with an increase in wastage, suspected to be partly due to theft, led to a 5s deposit per towel.
in all the Borough's pools.
From 1945, the dances resumed with a number of popular bands playing at the Baths including the Ted Heath Band and Bert Gutsall and his Orchestra. The Baths' grand piano was replaced in 1949 with a second hand Welmar boudoir grand. In 1950, the Council promoted official 'Carnival' dances for Christmas Eve
, New Year's Eve
, and St Patrick's Day, with numbers limited to 550 at a function.
From May 2009, the £6.2 million redevelopment (revised budget) started on site necessitating the closure of the pool and a temporary gym. The refurbishment finally completed 25 June 2011 having taken 5 years from start to finish. The formal reopening event was attended by local MP Tessa Jowell
and East Dulwich councillor James Barber
Dulwich
Dulwich is an area of South London, England. The settlement is mostly in the London Borough of Southwark with parts in the London Borough of Lambeth...
, South London
South London
South London is the southern part of London, England, United Kingdom.According to the 2011 official Boundary Commission for England definition, South London includes the London boroughs of Bexley, Bromley, Croydon, Greenwich, Kingston, Lambeth, Lewisham, Merton, Southwark, Sutton and...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
.
Description
The original sign of "Dulwich Public Baths" is on the front of the building though there has been significant, if sympathetic, redevelopment inside. There are two original entrances on the front separating men and women. The entrance is raised using steps up to the main doors in order to provide a high basement where a laundry was originally in operation.The main pool was boarded over in 1982 (now the main gym area) leaving the second pool still in operation.
History
The Baths opened to the public on 25 June 1892. Dulwich was the first baths of seven baths designed by Spalding & Cross. The foundation stone was put in place in September 1891 but due to various delays including changes to drainage plans and a union dispute over the quality of lime being used in the concrete, on analysis found to be up to standard, the opening was not until well into the following year.Charges were 6d for a 1st class swim and 2d for 2nd class (class being the choice between the main and second pools) with charges for schools varying between 3d to 1d depending on the agreement with each school. The basic swimming charge was to stay at 6d until 1957.
The Baths were available for hire for various functions including dances, indoor sports and functions.
First World War
The baths were closed in 1914 for hospital and Red Cross work during World War IWorld War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. The War Refugees Committee were allowed to use it for housing Belgian refugees. In 1915 the baths briefly return to public use but were then allocated for use of the Camberwell Gun Brigades (33rd Divisional Artillery). The Brigade vacated in July 1915 and the baths then were used for troop accommodation and housed two brigades of the Territorial Artillery
Territorial Force
The Territorial Force was the volunteer reserve component of the British Army from 1908 to 1920, when it became the Territorial Army.-Origins:...
from September 1915. Public swimming resumed in 1917. The baths were used as an unofficial shelter throughout the frequent air raids of 1917 and the Council installed red and green lights to show "take cover" and "all clear" in addition to the sirens.
Inter-war period
In 1937, the facility of two rinks for indoor bowling was introduced. Players were charged 6d/hour or a rink reserved for 4s/hour.Second World War
| Location map for East Dulwich Baths. |
War preparations in 1938–39 before World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
included laying floors over both swimming pools for use as First Aid posts and medical stores and equipment were brought in.
The fuel shortage in late 1939 lead to the pool being closed over winter. In 1940 the pools were again planned to close for the winter but the Auxiliary Fire Service asked for the pool to be kept full for use when dealing with air raid damage. The Council decided to keep the pools open as a result and adapted the pools for Fire Brigade pumps.
A shortage of towels during war-time with an increase in wastage, suspected to be partly due to theft, led to a 5s deposit per towel.
Post war
On 13 March 1946, the Council decided to allow mixed bathingMixed bathing
Mixed bathing is a term that refers to members of the opposite gender swimming together in the same pool. In ancient Rome, mixed bathing was never the rule in public installations, although it did occur in private facilities. Today, in Japan, the practice is not common...
in all the Borough's pools.
From 1945, the dances resumed with a number of popular bands playing at the Baths including the Ted Heath Band and Bert Gutsall and his Orchestra. The Baths' grand piano was replaced in 1949 with a second hand Welmar boudoir grand. In 1950, the Council promoted official 'Carnival' dances for Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve refers to the evening or entire day preceding Christmas Day, a widely celebrated festival commemorating the birth of Jesus of Nazareth that takes place on December 25...
, New Year's Eve
New Year's Eve
New Year's Eve is observed annually on December 31, the final day of any given year in the Gregorian calendar. In modern societies, New Year's Eve is often celebrated at social gatherings, during which participants dance, eat, consume alcoholic beverages, and watch or light fireworks to mark the...
, and St Patrick's Day, with numbers limited to 550 at a function.
Modern refurbishment
In the 1990s, the Friends of Dulwich Baths lobbied Southwark Council for repairs and £250,000 was invested in various re-developments including removing the women's slipper baths. In 2007, a full renovation plan of £5 million was agreed with Fusion taking over operation of the building as a leisure complex.From May 2009, the £6.2 million redevelopment (revised budget) started on site necessitating the closure of the pool and a temporary gym. The refurbishment finally completed 25 June 2011 having taken 5 years from start to finish. The formal reopening event was attended by local MP Tessa Jowell
Tessa Jowell
Tessa Jowell is a British Labour Party politician, who has been the Member of Parliament for Dulwich and West Norwood since 1992. Formerly a member of both the Blair and Brown Cabinets, she is currently the Shadow Minister for the Olympics and Shadow Minister for London.-Early life:Tessa Jane...
and East Dulwich councillor James Barber