Swimming pools & swimmers

Evening, Cliff, and welcome to the forum What a wonderful photo, and great information too - we know you have much to offer the forum members in terms of images and details, so it's great to see you've joined this friendly forum

Hi Cliff, great to meet at last ! Via Neil you're responsible for some of my best moments of 2020. The photo fits perfectly with this one from the library which is described as "Front view of Triumph Company works, Block F, view from north west, Priory Street. (Demolished July 1910). Shows the turkish baths establishment at No. 18". I've checked it out and it is the east side of Priory Street. The baths survived Block F but I'm not sure by how long. Might the flags being flown top left and half way down the right be a clue to the event? Please pass on thanks to Celia and the other wonderful peeps at Coventry fb for sharing their photo treasures and information.

Thanks for the welcome and kind words Helen and Midland, I have read with great interest the information posted regarding some of the pictures I have found and thought I should dip my toe in the forum. Here is a crop of the baths building which will hopefully show more of the super details.

A slightly late welcome from me, too, Cliff - and with photos like that, you're more than welcome! I've no idea if it's significant at all, but there seems to be a huge number of bicycles in that picture. Also, the official looking chap, directly below the TURKISH BATHS sign is wearing quite distinctive looking livery. I wonder if that's something that can be used to date the photo?

Yes, I thought the bikes looked rather iffy in that photo and it would not have been a Royal occasion - no bunting to that effect. Could have been the actual opening of the Turkish baths. The official looking chap as Rob mentioned looks a little out of place to me. The lamp post looks just like one outside our house in Welland Road in the 40's. I know of a certain lady who will enlighten us I am sure.

Thanks Rob, I have been reading posts for a while now, especially those regarding the photos I found that Neil has posted, very interesting, so thought it was about time I contributed

This photo is labelled 'Lifesaving class Coventry Swimming Baths'. I guess it's Priory Street, anyone know if it looked like this, I have never seen an inside photo before?

If you type bath into the library picture search there are a couple of pictures of demolition of the Priory Street baths and it did have a black line round the outside as per you photo. Would I be right in thinking that there were two baths and maybe this one was outside?

Yes, great to see on you here at last, Cliff! Welcome. BTW we do a breakie on occasions (Covid aside!)

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Thanks Neil Breakfast sounds good ... if we ever get past this virus

Has Celia got any more Cliff!

A few Neil but most are Photographic Society trips out to the seaside, they are nice but not Cov. How's this as another contender for 'Best shot of the Priory Street Baths building'?

Looking at the picture on 338, reminded me. It was generally known, and I believe up until 1930 legal, that men had to wear a full one piece bathing costume, but once it got wet every little pimple was enhanced, the same for women. You certainly didn't need imagination in those days, but 1930 they opened the lido in the Serpentine, London - it became the most popular rendezvous in London.

CliffB, hi! Looking through your photos, I would suggest two are of the carnival. Not sure if the carnival passed that way but more than likely through what was to become Pool Meadow from the Burges. Needs more checking. But yes, first class & second class etc, know your place, they did drum it in, in those days.