Norman Dunn's 'Hebburn and our Neighbours Forum'

Norman Dunn's 'Hebburn and our Neighbours Forum'
[ Norman Dunn's 'Hebburn and our Neighbours Forum' ]

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Jarrow Baths

Posted by peter cook on 3/12/2024, 2:08 pm

Who remembers going here and maybe having swimming lessons from Joe Metcalf.

Re: Jarrow Baths

Posted by John Shearer on 3/12/2024, 2:55 pm, in reply to "Jarrow Baths"

Thanks Peter, I had totally forgotten what it looked.

Re: Jarrow Baths

Posted by Allan Campbell on 3/12/2024, 3:35 pm, in reply to "Jarrow Baths"

Would never have thought it looked like that. I thought it was just a small building so WOW.

In late 1956 or early 1957 a group of us Clegwell lads took our lifesaving bronze medallion and then there was a photo taken of us all on the playing field outside the Clegwell Gym.

Norman has a copy of that photo with most of the names.

I’m on it, David Gill, Jim Sams plus others. Wonder how many are still about?

Allan C.

Re: Jarrow Baths

Posted by George on 3/12/2024, 6:01 pm, in reply to "Re: Jarrow Baths"

I went to this place in the late 1940s. It was a filthy disgusting excuse for a public swimming pool.

Re: Jarrow Baths

Posted by Thomas Buglass on 3/12/2024, 9:55 pm, in reply to "Re: Jarrow Baths"

Went there with St Aloysius school from 1963-5 and got my 25 yards swimming certificate.

Re: Jarrow Baths

Posted by Colin Thompson on 3/12/2024, 10:04 pm, in reply to "Re: Jarrow Baths"

Used to go there a lot with my dad and the school but it was filthy and Cold!!

Re: Jarrow Baths

Posted by Steve in Australia on 3/12/2024, 10:15 pm, in reply to "Re: Jarrow Baths"

I've always been grateful to Joe Metcalf for teaching me to swim.

Re: Jarrow Baths

Posted by Elizabeth Baker (Tindle) on 4/12/2024, 3:48 am, in reply to "Re: Jarrow Baths"

I took my bronze medallion there. Also took part in carnivals

Re: Jarrow Baths

Posted by Mac Hardy on 4/12/2024, 11:17 am, in reply to "Re: Jarrow Baths"

My dad took me there every Sunday morning, first of all into the Slipper baths where I seem to remember you got a bar of soap for 6d before going into the big pool, dad was a fantastic swimmer and could swim 2 lengths under water, also when he was 16 and working as a rope boy on the mid tyne ferries he saved a man’s life who, when the ferry was pulling into the Walker landing jumped off too soon and fell into the river, he couldn’t swim and dad jumped in and saved him. He was awarded with a Certificate and an engraved pocket watch as well as a pair of boots from the man’s parents.

Re: Jarrow Baths

Posted by Norman Dunn on 4/12/2024, 11:54 am, in reply to "Re: Jarrow Baths"

Well done to your Dad for saving a life Mac Hardy.

Me and my mates used to go to Jarrow baths 6am-8am Saturday mornings in the late 50s and had the pool to ourselves. We had to get changed downstairs and walk through a pool of disinfectant & go up the steps and then get feet inspected before going in the mail pool. One of the dads, Mr Durkin, had a car & as he started work in a brickyard at 6am in Jarrow he gave us a lift.
I also went to the baths with the School every week.

Re: Jarrow Baths

Posted by John Shearer on 4/12/2024, 2:59 pm, in reply to "Re: Jarrow Baths"

Got all my swimming certificates there and later my Bronze Medallion & Bronze Cross when at Cleggwell

Re: Jarrow Baths

Posted by Patrick on 5/12/2024, 12:20 pm, in reply to "Re: Jarrow Baths"

Joe Metcalfe was quite a character...

Re: Jarrow Baths fro George

Posted by Mac C on 5/12/2024, 11:01 am, in reply to "Re: Jarrow Baths"

As you say George. Do you recall its unforgettable downstairs changing rooms with the slimy floor.

Re: Jarrow Baths fro George

Posted by George on 5/12/2024, 5:22 pm, in reply to "Re: Jarrow Baths fro George"

Spot on Mac. I can never forget trying with all my will to avoid stepping into the disgusting filthy slime.

Re: Jarrow Baths fro George

Posted by Geordieboy ns on 6/12/2024, 12:29 am, in reply to "Re: Jarrow Baths fro George"

S.Shields bath was a fridgid sesspool,but then most of us kids added to the slime as we had limited hygiene at home. The North Sea being as close to a bath for many of us. Probably the reason I joined a track team was because there were showers.Hot and Cold water no less.

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[ Norman Dunn's 'Hebburn and our Neighbours Forum' ]

Rules! No Party Politics,swearing,derogatory remarks or we will delete. Anyone sharing our content on Face Book must credit 'Hebburn and our Neighbours'.