Wigan Album

as kids in the 80's it was only on 'good weeks' that me mum would be able to afford a swim and something to eat in there, so to me it was a very special place....just brought back some good memories of then :).... thank you :)

is that betty turpin stood up collecting her hot pot plates

The Baths opened in 1966.

50's never! pool only opened in 1965

Remember going to the baths on Saturday mornings in the late 1960s, when I was 10/11 yrs old:-
Bus fare from UpHolland to Wigan: 5d.
Entry to baths: 1s 0d.
A meat and potato pie (size of a bin lid) in the baths cafe, afterwards: 10d.
Bus fare home: 5d

Total cost for three or four hours fun: 2s 8d (13 or 14 pence)

I'm sure I went to the Baths in the early 50's

Even though everythingt tasted slightly of chlorine it was the custom to go in the cafe after a couple of hours in the baths.

Frank Walford - you probably did. The baths pictured, which opened in 1965, were built on the site of the old baths.

What a fantastic picture of the cafe. I remember it very well - spent many happy times in there in the mid 60s. Thanks for the memories Jam.

If my memory serves me right, the old baths, in the fifties, you had to make do with a plastic cup of chicken noodle soup from the vending machine (or tea/coffee, if you preferred)

I recall that my first elicit cigarettes, as a kid, were smoked on the steam train, taking us home from Wigan Baths. So not exactly a positive contribution to health in this case.

the chicken noodle soup served out of a machine at the old wigan baths was just lovely, as was the beef soup, little tiny bits of something in it that was supposed to be beef, but it was very tasty, when you had drunk it all the bits were at the bottom of the plastic cup, lovely, never left a morsel

I worked on the new baths as an apprentice and when they opened in 1966 I was on commissioning them for a month just sat in the cafe and repaired anything that was faulty easiest month of my apprenticeship.

Spent many a great Saturday night at the old baths, they covered the pool over, and it became a smashing dance hall. I think the admittance charge was one,and a tanner. Go out at the interval for a pint, tenpunce. This was the early 50s.

Just laughed at loud at this I first met my mate Ken Parkinson in this cafe he lived near Annie Brittons shop in Ince Green Lane. he usually wore specs but once in the pool he struggled to focus.........when in the pool he spotted a vision of loveliness "hey" he says to me, ask her if she'll go out with me....... My reply " thee ask her............its a lad with long hair... Oh! Ken where are you now pal I've not seen thee for 40 years..

Absolutely loved the place..every Saturday morning with the kids...that photo brought back lovely memories...long after I'd stopped going I would walk past just to relive the smell.

Excellent times from late 60's through the 70's. Winter time under the fans across from the college after swimming. From the cloak room to the foot bath before you went up the steps into the pool, the smells the size of the place for a young lad.My Dad picking me up and chucking me over his shoulders before I could really swim. Then when I could the 16'6" deep end.....all the way to the bottom just brill. The after we were totally shattered a drink and a pork pie. And I would not eat one at any other time except after swimming.! Many many good times with my mates and our school inter-swimming events. Upholland Secondary School .Miss it all.

I wonder who the family are sat at the table, they look a lovely family, Great picture.

Cant ever beat a good swim then Meat and Potato pie and gravy up here..

i remember falling off the 1st stage as a young stripling,hit the water face&chest first ner been same since,like somert out of tom &jerry.