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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Walter Street, Jarrow

Posted by peter cook on 7/8/2026, 6:59 am

Walter Street, Jarrow in 1950 with the ballast hills at Howdon shown in the distance.

Re: Walter Street, Jarrow

Posted by Mac Hardy on 7/8/2026, 9:03 am, in reply to "Walter Street, Jarrow"

Remember my dad taking me to The Slipper Baths followed by the pool every asunday.

Re: Walter Street, Jarrow

Posted by Norman on 7/8/2026, 9:28 am, in reply to "Re: Walter Street, Jarrow"
Edited by board administrator 7/8/2026, 9:30 am

That piece of wall on the right further down is 'Jarrow Baths' frontage.
I was a regular there with my pals as well as with the School.We used to go to the shop across the road where they sold lovely toffee. Not sure if it was homemade👍.

Re: Walter Street, Jarrow

Posted by Mac C on 7/8/2026, 10:03 am, in reply to "Re: Walter Street, Jarrow"

Yes Norman. We were regulars at the swimming pool and afterwards we picked up our "Waggon Wheels" at the shop by the delivery vans or if it was cold we went to Reay's further up on the corner of Wylam St for a cup of Oxo and a cracker.
I never had the pleasure of the slipper baths but hope that the environment was better than the basement boys changing room where the floor was slimy in the extreme! Verruca alley!!!

Re: Walter Street, Jarrow

Posted by Mac Hardy on 7/8/2026, 11:14 am, in reply to "Re: Walter Street, Jarrow"

The Slipper baths were not bad, better than the tin bath at home and giving more privacy !

Re: Walter Street, Jarrow Swimming Pool

Posted by George on 7/8/2026, 10:22 am, in reply to "Walter Street, Jarrow"

I remember diving from the top board and cracking my head on the bottom of the pool. I think it was only 6 feet deep. It was a disgusting place really but we kids didn't realise or care. Probably received natural vaccination from a multitude of health problems or just succumbed to God knows what.😁

Re: Walter Street, Jarrow Swimming Pool

Posted by Norman on 7/8/2026, 10:45 am, in reply to "Re: Walter Street, Jarrow Swimming Pool"

I agree at your summing up George.
I dived from the top of the balcony as we called it just once. It was 6ft deep but I think too shallow for anyone diving from that height. Bet a few others hit the bottom of the pool.

Re: Walter Street, Jarrow Swimming Pool

Posted by Joseph on 7/8/2026, 6:26 pm, in reply to "Re: Walter Street, Jarrow Swimming Pool"

Have to disagree, anyone diving fr0m a 15 foof diving frame, into 6 foot of water wouldn't be here to tell the tale, sure it would have been 8 or 9 foot.

Re: Walter Street, Jarrow Swimming Pool

Posted by Norman on 7/8/2026, 6:35 pm, in reply to "Re: Walter Street, Jarrow Swimming Pool"

Jarrow Baths as we called them started at the shallow end 3ft6ins & went to 6ft at the deep end.
100% certain of that cos I went there hundreds of times.

Re: Walter Street, Jarrow Swimming Pool

Posted by Jackie W on 8/8/2026, 12:15 pm, in reply to "Re: Walter Street, Jarrow Swimming Pool"

I only have a vague memory of Jarrow Baths. I think I went there a few times after school in the 70’s. I don’t recall there being seats around the pool then, but I could be wrong about that. Hebburn Baths was my regular place

Re: Walter Street, Jarrow Swimming Pool

Posted by Steve in Australia on 5/9/2026, 2:26 am, in reply to "Re: Walter Street, Jarrow Swimming Pool"

I learned to swim at Jarrow baths, under the tutelage of Mr.Metcalf, and I also learned to dive there too, I can attest to the deep end being only 6 feet deep, diving became easier when Hebburn pool opened due to the deep end being 10 feet deep.

Re: Walter Street, Jarrow Baths extension 1964

Posted by Mac C on 8/8/2026, 9:12 am, in reply to "Walter Street, Jarrow"

Does anyone remember this extension to the baths in 1964 and what were the extra facilities provided?

Re: Walter Street, Jarrow Baths extension 1964

Posted by Norman on 8/8/2026, 6:44 pm, in reply to "Re: Walter Street, Jarrow Baths extension 1964"

I've no idea of any extensions being done to the baths anytime Mac.

Re: Walter Street, Jarrow Baths extension 1964

Posted by Mac Hardy on 9/8/2026, 9:45 am, in reply to "Re: Walter Street, Jarrow Baths extension 1964"

Neither can I Norman, it was an impressive building from the outside but a lot to be desired inside !

Re: Walter Street, Jarrow Baths extension 1964

Posted by John White on 10/8/2026, 10:40 am, in reply to "Re: Walter Street, Jarrow Baths extension 1964"

It was a great boon for all the many families who didn’t
Have a bathroom in those bygone days
I remember a show put on there entitled
Youth takes the Stand where all the local
Youth organisations were represented
cadets,scouts etc.Some scaffolding had been
erected to provide seating for the audience
Around the pool.A local Catholic girls choir
Performed there and their seating cllapsed
during their performance
I don’t think anyone was seriously hurt
I was always grateful learning how to
swim there.Being in the Sea Cadets
prepared me for National Service
even though I wound up in the army

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

Rules! No bad language or derogatory remarks or we will delete. Anyone sharing our content on Face Book must credit 'Hebburn and our Neighbours'.