Anne Jessel
master brummie
Woodcock Street Baths
I caught the no.74 or 75 bus from West Bromwich every afternoon after school, to travel to Snowhill and walk down Steelhouse Lane, past the Fire Station and on to Woodcock Street Baths to do my diving training.
I was always glad of a scarf to wind round my nose because I couldn't bear the smell of the hops from the nearby brewery.
I always stopped at a little "tuck shop" down Woodcock Street.
This journey I made between the age of 8 years old to 16 years.
Alway after my training, my coach used to take me into the cafe to have a drink of Cow & Gate or Bovril to warm me up. I can hear the urns hissing away right now.
The picture of the pool and diving boards was if it was only yesterday. I remember looking at the large tiled mural (centenary?) in front of me when I was ready to take my dive from the 5 metre board, and I always scooped my entries into the water to prevent me landing on the drain which looked fearsome. I have very good memories of those days, including the gruelling Life saving Courses. I trained also at Kingstanding, Northfield and Bourneville Open Air Lido. Does anyone have any pictures of these baths too? I've had a trip down memory lane not so long ago, and of course it has all changed - but I note the Victorian Toilets still stand at the top of Woodcock Street!
I caught the no.74 or 75 bus from West Bromwich every afternoon after school, to travel to Snowhill and walk down Steelhouse Lane, past the Fire Station and on to Woodcock Street Baths to do my diving training.
I was always glad of a scarf to wind round my nose because I couldn't bear the smell of the hops from the nearby brewery.
I always stopped at a little "tuck shop" down Woodcock Street.
This journey I made between the age of 8 years old to 16 years.
Alway after my training, my coach used to take me into the cafe to have a drink of Cow & Gate or Bovril to warm me up. I can hear the urns hissing away right now.
The picture of the pool and diving boards was if it was only yesterday. I remember looking at the large tiled mural (centenary?) in front of me when I was ready to take my dive from the 5 metre board, and I always scooped my entries into the water to prevent me landing on the drain which looked fearsome. I have very good memories of those days, including the gruelling Life saving Courses. I trained also at Kingstanding, Northfield and Bourneville Open Air Lido. Does anyone have any pictures of these baths too? I've had a trip down memory lane not so long ago, and of course it has all changed - but I note the Victorian Toilets still stand at the top of Woodcock Street!