Wigan Album

This looks like the Ladies Pool

Is that Spooner at the back with the flat cap on?

I believe that's the girls pool,it was always warmer than the boys so we used to go to the weekly mixed bathing session.

Aye, it was the ladies pool(also used for mixed bathing).
The mens pool had the changing cabins on the balcony..

When that many people got out the pool,the water level dropped with them trunk's and costume's made out of wool.

Hi Dave M. Did you go to the baths when you were in the first year at the Linacre? We went every week first lesson, Monday morning. Mr. Spooner took us for the lessons We spent more time stood at the side of the pool practicing the breast stroke than we did in the water<g> Still couldn't swim after nearly 12 months. That summer went on holiday to Bournemouth, in a Hotel with a pool. Learned to swim in a couple of days. L.O.L.

Belter. I spent some hours in there learning to swim.

When was this version of Wigan Baths demolished? I have very vague memories of going in the baths that were there before the ones that have just been demolished ( hope that makes sense!). Was that the same ones that are in the above the photo?

Hello RON,good to hear from you.I think you may be a year ahead of me at Linacre.Anyway we did use the ladies pool and Dennis Pegge used to organise it out of school hours.Mr Spooner eventually transfered to Linacre as a caretaker.

Hi Dave I started the Linacre in 1957. I can remember my first day as though it was last week. New uniform, shoes, etc. New satchel( I can smell the smell of leather even now)My mother, proud as punch, watching me walking up the street. In those days, to pass your 11+ and get a place in a Grammar School. Was a thing to be proud of. My only regret. I didn't make the most of the opportunity I had.

I'm sure aitch wont mind our little chat under his photo Ron.It seems that I am the old man as I went to Linacre in 1953 and left in 58.I remember the first day very well.All my mates who had passed 11 plus went to Grammar School.No way was I going there.We were very fortunate to have the choice of the recently opened Thomas Linacre.Even today when I go into modern schools,now with grand children,I cant believe how ill-equipped they are in comparison to Linacre nearly 60 years ago.Like you I did not take full advantage and left aged 16 to become a zoo keeper.I think I was the only keeper with 5 G.C.E.'s.However I still believe that Linacre had a huge positive effect on my life and I thank all of them.I took a look round the old place when I was in Wigan last year and was surprised to see that the art room (Tricky Hilton) was still an art room though tricky would never have allowed the apparent laid back standards of the students.I will put the pic of the art room on my blog for your perusal.Nice to chat about Bill Braces little empire.

Hi Dave you should have let me know you were in town last year. Next time you are over, let me know and we can meet up for a proper chat. I keep meaning to go and have a look around the old ALMA MATER. I'll have to make an effort and go <g>

Catherine, The old baths closed shortly after the new one opened 1965/66, but I'm sure that although the building around the pools was demolished that actual plunge (the hole in the ground was retained. I think what was the ladies pool became the low depth earner pool, and the gents pool became the 25 metre pool with a varied depth. I remember going to the old baths on a Saturday and entering the building from Millgate. When the small baths was in use you may remember that normally to access them you went through the main entrance and turned right following the corridors along, but if the main pool was being used for a gala you had to queue and enter through the side entrance in Millgate in a similar location to where the original entrance was

Many happy hours spent in the old baths, still love to swim. Have only recently heard that they are pulling down the "new baths" (or have they already) Is there going to be a new pool?
Dave Marsh could you have started at Thomas Linacre with my late brother Joe Govan, I think he would have been there 53-58.

I renember it well..... especially the chsnging booths!