by louisedeakin

I'm a local resident. Passionate about museums, heritage and community projects. Follow me on twitter https://twitter.com/LittleDeak

‘Finish Line Ahead’

3 Comments

On Thursday 9th of April members of the community were invited on a tour of Stirchley Baths. I was pleasantly surprised at how far the project has progressed since the last tour in December. And now you can really see the rooms forming.

The iconic view of the end wall of the pool.
The iconic view of the end wall of the pool.
The pool has now been covered (although there is a peep hole) and will be used as a multi-purpose hall.
The pool has now been covered (although there is a peep hole) and will be used as a multi-purpose hall.
The roof lanterns above the main hall.
The roof lanterns above the main hall.
These rooms will be used to store any equipment for groups that use the main hall. Some old changing rooms will be reinstalled on the balcony to reflect the building's history.
These rooms will be used to store any equipment for groups that use the main hall. Some old changing rooms will be reinstalled on the balcony to reflect the building’s history.
The tiles which will be restored as they are a unique original feature.
The tiles which will be restored as they are a unique original feature.
This will become the cinema room.
This will become the cinema room.
This room will become the cafe.
This room will become the cafe.
The cafe will be known as the Well Cafe after the original well.
The cafe will be known as the Well Cafe after the original well.
A bell/communication mechanism on the foyer hatch.
A bell/communication mechanism on the foyer hatch.
Original tiling in the foyer.
Original tiling in the foyer.
Underneath the cupola.
Underneath the cupola.
The view from on top of the roof.
The view from on top of the roof.
A roof lantern from the top of the roof.
A roof lantern from the top of the roof.
Cupola number 2, waiting to go up.
Cupola number 2, waiting to go up.

Here’s a message from the site managers about the plans for next month:

  • Building ‘water tight’ with flat roofs felted and windows installed
  •  Mezzanine floor completed with original balcony balustrade installed
  •  Cupola No.2 stonework complete with new cupola fixed
  •  Re-pointed external brickwork cleaned with scaffold elevations starting to be dropped
  •  Underfloor heating in pool area installed
  • Floor screed installed
  •  Plasterboarding to all areas
  •  2nd fix carpentry started

Co-site manager Jack told me that they are almost at the stage where floorboards can be laid in some of the newly created rooms.

Your community centre will open in September 2015 to co-incide with Stirchley Late Summer Bash.

3 comments

  2. Gerald Cox says:

    Hi i used to go to these baths in in the 40s .Mom did not have a bath room only a bath on wall so i went every week on a Sunday Morning .I also went to swimming baths most days. I used to go go to Bournville school and then to Kings Norton ,
    I had many happy hours at the baths,
    I am now living in the Lake District but have lot`s of happy memories.I wish you well in your wonderful project .
    Yours Gerald Cox late of Bournville lane .

    • Louise Deakin says:

      Hello Gerald,

      So lovely to hear you have so many fond memories of the baths. We will be assembling a history group soon, so if you have any memories you’d like to share please email me louisedeakin.communityheritage@gmail.com

      I’m sure there are many things you’ll remember about who worked at the baths and how many minutes you got for your money etc. Hope to hear from you. Louise

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