Swimming pools & swimmers

I think it looks like a gasometer!! Didn't they get rid of several of these when they built the Ricoh Arena?

Reading some of these posts brings back many memories. I learnt to swim at the Livvy baths, my brother and mates used to walk from the Pilot down Rollason Rd, across the Black Pad over the footbridge - in those days it was considered ok to go without your parents. Afterwards it was Farr & Reddy`s for a cream cake or a jam doughnut. When we moved to Henley Green in '56 we had the choice of Livvy or Gossy baths. It's been mentioned about the old Priory Baths where they had "slipper" baths. Mother's family lived at 22 George St and used to use the baths regularly. My Uncle John in his young, easy going days was barred from the swimming baths for diving off the rafters instead of the diving board.

There is one of Coventry long distance swimmers of the 1950's that is still alive and he actually took part in the school sports races on the opening day of the Livingstone baths, either '36/7. I believe he was presented with a prize from the mayor. Up to a year ago he was still doing many lengths almost every day in the new pool in town. I never went to that pool in the sixties myself so have no idea where that was. But I did travel in the rowboat when he represented Coventry in the inshore five mile app. in Morecambe Bay swim. He came 2nd and was robbed, for the fisherman that rowed the boat took him a longer way out to anyone else, and so the local town lad won - it was the day I nearly committed murder by tossing the fisherman overboard.

Memories of school bus taking a class to these well known Livingstone Road baths.

I wish it was a bit further across, say where the Squirrel pub is, so there was a bit more distance between them (maybe have straightened up Greyfriars Lane to create a barrier and had the added bonus of making that street more legible) but I don't mind it. I think its a definite improvement of Christchurch House anyway.

Learned to swim there in the early 60s. Caught the bus from Freddie Bird's. Good times!

Another one of the 1936 happenings, brilliant for the people of Foleshill and Coventry.

Here's a few images of The Wave which is in New Union Street.

The view of The Wave from the IKEA restaurant is quite impressive. Once Coventry Point has been demolished you should be able to see all three spires. Peter.

Apols Rob but another one that needs XL sizing to appreciate the full goodness!! Possibly the best face-on full width shot of Priory Street Baths

No date, but long before Pool Meadow and cafe.

Which started out looking like this on Hales Street (where the Fire Station was built) - Despite its appearance, it was built after 1850.

Hi all, this is my first post, I hope it's of interest. This nice photo was sent to me by Celia Clare, I think it was taken by her great grandfather who was a member of the Coventry Photographic Society in the early 1900's. It is is a lovely clear view of Francis James's Turkish Baths on Priory Street which was originally built as a Wesleyan chapel, but never used as such, it stood on the west side of Priory Street opposite the Triumph Works, I believe this row was demolished in the 1920's to extend the growing Triumph Works. I am not sure what the parade is, it didn't look like La Milo in 1907 to me, could it be the 1902 Coronation?