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The Rushden Echo, 10th May 1929, transcribed by Gill Hollis. |
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Rushden’s Swimming Bath Opened
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Dr. Greenfield Takes the First Plunge |
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The recently completed public bath in Station-road, Rushden, was formally opened to the public on Saturday afternoon by Dr. D.G. Greenfield (chairman of the Rushden Urban District Council), in the presence of the Councillors and a large crowd. In his preliminary remarks Mr. G.W. Coles, J.P., (vice-chairman of the Council), said it had been many years about 25 years since the question of a swimming bath was first introduced. Now they had got a beautiful bath. Reviewing the history of the bath, Mr. Coles said that, as many were aware, the question had been put before the town on many occasions. “I really think,” said Mr. Coles, “that we can date the bringing to completion of these baths to the winter of 1913-14. I remember quite well at that time three organisations the Friendly Societies, the clubs, and the Trade Council formed a joint committee, and they canvassed every working-class house in the town to sound the feeling on the matter. The result at that time was over 6,000 votes for and 1,000 against. A deputation was appointed to wait upon the Council in February, 1914, and we placed plans before them. The Council then began seriously to think it was time to take the matter up, and they appointed a deputation to visit other towns. Unfortunately war broke out and the matter was dropped. When the war was over a few years were allowed to elapse before the question cropped up again, and it was some four years ago that it was again raised. A deputation consisting of Mr. C. W. Horrell, Mr. C. Claridge, and myself was appointed and we visited several towns where there were baths. Whatever our feelings were, we were unanimous in recommending that the baths should be of an open-air character and that the work should be put in hand with all possible speed. The reason we objected to a roof was the enormous expense. The foundations have been laid, and a roof can be added at any time that the Council may desire. The bath, continued Mr. Coles, was 70 feet long and 40 feet wide. The approximate cost had been £5,300, made up as follows : Land, £285, filtration plant, £1,300, contract for concrete, £2,060, contract for woodwork, brickwork, etc., £1,510, other incidentals, £140.00. In most public baths he had been in, said Mr. Coles, there had been a filtration plant, and it was most desirable that they should have one from the point of view of economy in water and from the health point of view. In conclusion, Mr. Coles said : “I would appeal to everybody to justify our action in building the baths, to justify the expense in producing them, and we ask you to use them on every occasion you can and we shall be satisfied that whatever money has been spent has been well and truly spent.” Declaring the baths open, Dr. Greenfield said he was sure that was a memorable day in Rushden, when they had come to the fulfilment of a scheme in which many of them had been interested for a very considerable time. He had been a very strong supporter of swimming baths, continued Dr. Greenfield, because as a member of the Council he felt that in a town of the size of Rushden swimming was part of the necessary equipment of everybody. As a doctor he welcomed it from a health point of view, because he felt that by the children of this town it had been missed. They had the river, which was both dirty and dangerous. It was not safe to bathe in, and no doubt many could remember fatalities that had occurred there. He felt that apart from a good home, good parents, a child’s heritage was fresh air, green grass, and clean water to swim in. They had dealt with the grass question, and they now had a proper swimming bath. He for one was a very strong supporter of the outdoor swimming bath. He did not think there was a big Public School in England that had an indoor swimming bath. From the health point of view he was perfectly convinced and they were always having sermons preached on subjects of which they took no notice that sunlight and fresh air had a very healthful effect on the body. He strongly supported it as a swimmer. As a swimmer he felt that swimming was one of the finest and most enjoyable exercises anybody could possible go in for, as well as giving health. If they once attained the proficiency of swimming in a rough sea or a rapid river they would enjoy an exhilaration they would never get in any other sport. He hoped that the public would support the Council by using the bath, and if it were used only by the children of the town then he felt they had been entirely justified. “I propose to open the door,” concluded the doctor, “and as the next step I propose to take the first plunge, in which I heartily invite you to follow me.”
After the opening the Councillors and officials were entertained to tea by the Emergency Committee in the Ambulance Headquarters. Among those present were Dr. Greenfield and Messrs. G. W. Cole, J.P., C. Claridge, C. W. Horrell, C. A., J. Roe, A. Willmott, J. Spencer, F. Green, A. Allebone, C.C., J. T. Richardson, W. J. Beetenson (representing the Clerks), J. W. Lloyd (Surveyor), F. S. F. Piper (Sanitary Inspector), H. Lack (Rating Officer), H. N. Ginns (Surveyor’s Department), W. Packwood, Jun., and Whittington (contractors), with Alderman F. D. Brazier to represent the borough of Higham Ferrers. Moving a vote of thanks to Dr. Greenfield and the Emergency Committee, Alderman Horrell said they were greatly indebted to the doctor for opening the bath and for the example he had set to members of the Council an example which he presumed they would all follow. He was sure the statement made by the doctor with respect to the advantage of open baths over closed would have its effect in the town, and they could expect that the baths would be well patronised and a great asset to the town. He also thanked the Emergency Committee for the arrangements they made for the opening. In spite of the weather, the event could not have been more successful, and he foresaw that within a few months they would realise that the baths had supplied a long felt want. Mr. Roe, seconding, said the doctor had set a splendid example. Everything seemed to have gone very well indeed, and the great success of the opening augured well for the success of the under-taking. He thought the visitors had been agreeably surprised by what they had seen. In time, he thought, they would begin to wonder how they had gone on so long without the baths.
Alderman Brazier claimed the privilege of saying a few words “on behalf of the little town over the hill.” He was quite sure that Higham would be greatly indebted to the Rushden Council for providing such an excellent bath, and he was certain that a very large proportion of the inhabitants of Higham would use it and be grateful to Rushden for providing such healthy sport and recreation. He was hoping to see the day when Higham and Rushden would come even closer together, indeed, he would like to see the day when they would unite. Mr. Allebone remarked that a lot had been said about the cost of the bath, but they ought not to look upon it in terms of £ s d. The rising generation would be healthier, cleaner, and better citizens for what had been done. It had been a difficult task for the sub-committee to get out prices and times, but with the help of Mr. Lloyd they had considered the arrangements made at other towns and drawn up a list they thought would suit Rushden. If it was found that other hours would be more suitable, they would be pleased to consider a revision. |
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