Ron Coley used to use Stirchley Baths to have a hot bath each week – at home they only had a tin bath. Here he walks to the where the bath used to be (now the cafe) and remembers how he tried to buck the system.
Who taught you to swim? Heather Clarke and Stirchley Baths 1975 – 1976
Heather Clarke visited the refurbished building recently. She first worked here in 1975 and went on to teach generations of children to swim at various pools – including Tiverton Pool.
Below is a video of heather and some photos from the 1970’s and 1980’s. Do you remember Heather? Did she teach you to swim?
not sure of others names
Bottom row David Teale (Area Supervisor ) myself and Paul Jones7
The event for this photograph was our lnterdivisional Swimming Gala between all of the Baths in Birmingham There were 3 Divisions all competeing against each other”
Advance with Feathers Art Project
Stirchley Baths invites you to take part in an exciting new sound art project. A Stirchley based art organisation called The Centre Of Curious Sonic Investigation, led by artist Justin Wiggan, is working with Stirchley Baths to create a new artwork using sound, based around the themes of hope, transition and future and using the history and restoration of the baths as a starting point.
Community workshops
4th 11th 18th 25th February – drop in between 10am – 2pm
Free
Come along and help us create a new sound artwork for Stirchley, no experience needed! All welcome. Your contributions will result in a unique performance event at the baths.
Performance Event
Saturday 21 May 7.30pm
£5, booking required via Eventbrite
Experience a unique interactive performance of Advance with Feathers, a new artwork created for Stirchley. The live performance will take place at the newly restored Stirchley Baths, an Edwardian baths restored as a 21st century place for community activity.
Exhibition
6 June – 18 July
Discover the process of the project at an exhibition which documents the exploration of sound with the Stirchley community, St Andrews Healthcare and Cotteridge School.
Get Involved
Like the sound of this project and would like to get involved as a volunteer? Get in touch with Heritage Development Manager Kate Andrews – Kate.Andrews@stirchleybaths.org
Project supported by Arts Council England and Heritage Lottery Fund
Today’s the day!
The dust has all settled and paint is dry so today we welcome a few guests to officially open the centre.
It has taken many months to convert the old baths into the centre we have today. We’ve managed to pair modern facilities with the heritage of the building to preserve memories but in a space that enables us and you to also create new ones and we can not wait to see you here.
Here are a few smiley faces from our preview open evening to tell you that there are no days left to wait!
The eve of the opening, Just one day to go.
Just like every Christmas eve and like kids in a sweet shop we’re all a flutter in anticipation of our grand opening.
Here are a few smiley faces from our preview open evening to tell you just how long we have left to wait.