Tamworth Open Air Swimming Pool

Tamworths open air swimming pool was built to replace a Victorian indoor pool in the town centre. It was built in the grounds of Tamworth Castle.

Whilst a relatively small pool, at 100′ x 50′ and just 264,000 gallons, it had plenty to entertain including multiple diving boards and water chutes, some quite high.

The pool was enclosed on three sides with the supporting buildings, in a similar design to Mill Hill, in London (1935). Both Tamworth and Mill Hill buildings have remained intact and put to new use.

An indoor bath appears on the o/s map shown from 1973 but not on any of the previous maps and had been demolished prior to 2003 (Ref Google Earth). We have not been able to find out any information for when this bath was built and no reference to it is made in any of the Baths and Bath Engineering journal reports transcribed. A small mystery.

The pool was infilled in 1989. A petition to reinstate the pool was started in 2021 on change.org but has garnered only 179 signatures. It would be nice to get this to 200 whereafter apparently this moves to a new stage. Go on, you know what to do.

Baths and Bath Engineering, December 1935

The corporation has applied for sanction to a loan of £14,730 for the construction of an openair swimming pool in the Castle pleasure grounds.

Baths and Bath Engineering, October 1936

Tamworth Open-Air Swimming Baths

£14,730 Scheme in Course of Erection

The Tamworth Corporation open-air swimming baths, now in course of erection at an  estimated cost of £14,730, were described by the borough engineer and surveyor, Mr. A. O. Marshall, M.I.Struct.E., F.I. A.A., in his paper, “Tamworth and Its Recent Municipal Works,” which was prepared for a meeting of’ the West Midland District of the Institution of Municipal and County Engineers. The following is the description of the baths: –

The actual site, selected after careful consideration of alternatives, is on the Castle Pleasure Grounds. The area of land contained in the scheme, including the surrounding development, amounts to about 2 acres. The scheme generally is logically planned as far as the site will permit and comprises a large swimming bath with surrounding terraces, administrative buildings in which are contained the various filtration and heating plants, and the dressing accommodation.

Swimming Bath

In designing the bath, special consideration was given to the needs of’ children. It was therefore divided into two sections by an island wall. Each section is of rectangular shape, the whole being T shaped on plan. The main section is 100 ft. long by 50 ft. wide. The smaller section at the shallow end, which is chiefly for the use of learners, is 75 ft. long by 36 ft. wide, increasing to 60 ft. wide at the extremity of the curve at the head of the bath, thus giving an overall length of 160 ft.

The depth in the main section varies from 10 ft. at the diving end to a ft. at 50 ft. from the end, and 3 ft. at the division wall. The depth in the shallow section varies from 3 ft. to 2 ft. 6 in., and the steps on the curve form paddling ledges at varying depths.

The division wall docs not entirely separate the two sections, as to do so might give children the idea that they were segregated, but is open at each end, to enable them to enter the main bath as they become proficient.

Racing lines will be laid down in the main section, and scum channels are to be formed along the deep end and along the north side of the children’s section. A diving stage with various boards up to 5 m. height, diving chutes, and other equipment are included in the scheme.

The capacity of the bath is 264,000 gal.

The construction of the bath is of reinforced concrete, and the lay-out has been approved by the Amateur Swimming and Diving Association. The reinforced concrete details have been prepared by Messrs. L. G. Mouchel and Partners, Ltd., and Mr. B. A. E. Hiley is in collaboration with Mr. Marshall on this matter.

Terraces and Surrounds

Ample terraces of coloured concrete surround the bath; the bathers’ terraces being separated from the spectators by a dwarf wall and barrier. Provision is also made at the western end for sun-bathing. Ample accommodation is provided for spectators. The terrace and sun-bathing area is slightly raised to give a complete view of the bath. Seating accommodation will be provided, with tables for refreshments.

The site is io be enclosed by oak paled fencing and the surrounding area laid out with lawns, walks, and ornamental shrubberies.

Foot Splashes

Five-foot splashes are provided at the entrance to the bathers’ terrace, through which bathers must pass before entering the bath.

Buildings

The buildings, which are of rustic brick construction with artificial stone dressings and green glazed tile roofs, comprise the administrative block and the dressing rooms.

In the administrative block are contained an entrance hall 19 ft. by 10 ft., superintendent’s office, ticket office and towel store, establishment laundry, cafe with adjoining kitchen, and a first aid room. The basement below these rooms is divided to form two large rooms, each over 30 ft. long, in which are contained the filtration and heating plants.

The dressing rooms flank each side of the bath; separate accommodation being provided for both sexes. They contain two main cubicle blocks, overflow dressing rooms, attendants’ rooms, lavatory accommodation, shower and foot baths, the latter being grouped near the dressing room exits. A slipper bath is provided in each section. Lavatory accommodation approached from the terraces is also provided for spectators. The buildings will be hented by low-pressure hot-water radiators and pipes. Electric lighting is being installed.

Finishings

The walls and bottom of the swimming bath are being finished with “Snowcrete Mixture.” The floor is being screeded in 8-ft. panels ¾ in. thick, and the walls faced 1 in. thick with “Snowcrete” deposited simultaneously with the wall concrete and separated during placing by means of a movable shutter and the finished surface mechanically polished.

The coping will be of pre-cast artificial stone and the bath surrounds of coloured concrete. The entrance hall floor will be finished in terrazzo tiles and the hall walls in Swedish green marble.

Dressing Accommodation

The two cubicle blocks, each containing l0 cubicles and 160 lockers. Provide accommodation for 320 bathers. When this number is exceeded, the wire tray or bag system will come into operation, which, used in conjunction with the cubicles and overflow dressing rooms, will provide for a further 300 bathers at the same time, and this number could again be increased if found desirable.

Water Supply and Filtration Plant

Water for use in the bath is to be obtained from the town’s supply. It is proposed to install three 9-in. diameter pressure filters to give a 6-hour turnover. The bath water will be pumped continuously through the filters after discharging from the deep end of the bath through a strainer box.

A chemical apparatus for the sterilisation of the water with chloramine and for the addition of coagulant and an alkali will be provided in the filter house. After this treatment, the water will pass through a boiler to a cascade aerator at the shallow end of the bath, finally discharging into the bath at four points. The Ministry of Health stipulated that separate room should be provided for the chloramine plant.

Heating Plant

It is proposed to instal duplicate boiler plant, one boiler being used to heat the water in the swimming bath, and the other to deal with the heating of the building, and in conjunction with a storage calorifier, to provide hot water for the showers, slipper baths and domestic use. The lay-out will be so arranged that the boilers may be interconnected to work any one of these three services.

It was felt that the bath would be more popular if the temperature of the water was slightly raised in cold weather and at the start and latter part of the season, and this will be economically effected by the use of small grade local fuel, fed by mechanical stokers.

Prevention of Damage by Floods

The highest known flood level was reached in May 1932, and although it is possible in view of the river cleaning and improvement works, that such a level may not be reached again, it was deemed advisable to take reasonable precautions to prevent any damage by floods. For this reason, the baths-surround is raised to the level of the flood level referred to, and the floors of the buildings are from 12 to 18 in. above this level. The buildings are supported on concrete pillars, also the terrace between the buildings and the bath, and the remaining area is being raised with material suitable for quick consolidation. Outside the baths-surround the greater part of the raising is being carried out with refuse.

A particular feature of this bath, bearing in mind the food levels above referred to, is the  introduction of “weighting” concrete at the deep end, where the water pressure is  greatest, and the introduction of Dutch drains coupled with four special type reflux  valves mechanically weighted to come to the relief of the bath during abnormal  conditions, that is, when by chance the bath may be empty during times of heavy flooding. An even further precaution has been taken by the provision of “Tell-tale” pits at the deep end. These are simply shafts of reinforced concrete, after the manner of a manhole, but without a bottom, other than the natural gravel on which they rest. The only reasonable alternative to this was heavier weighting concrete over a much larger area of the bath.

Baths and Bath Engineering, June 1937

Tamworth Open-air Swimming Bath

In 1935 Tamworth Corporation decided to proceed with a scheme for the construction of a swimming bath. In considering this need the corporation had regard to the question as to whether a covered-in or open-air bath should be provided. The increasing popularity of open-air bathing, the suitability of the Castle Pleasure Grounds as a site, and other factors led the corporation to Favour an open-air bath. A scheme estimated to cost £15,132 was adopted and was approved by the Ministry of Health following a local inquiry.

The scheme, detailed in our October 1936 issue, consists of a large swimming bath, dressing accommodation, a sun-bathing area, a cafe, and the usual administrative building, and occupies a site covering about two acres. The opening took place in May 1937.

Swimming Bath

The swimming bath, with a capacity of 264,000 gal. of water, has been designed in the form of an ornamental “T” the main section being 100 ft. by 50 ft. and the upper shallow section is formed by curved steps throughout the entire length, and the other side has  an island wall to partially separate the two sections. The depth in the main section varies from 10 ft. at the diving end to 5 ft. at 50 ft. from the end, and 3 ft. at the division wall. In the shallow section the depth varies from 3 ft to 2 ft. 6 in. A diving stage, diving chutes, and other equipment are provided. The interior of the bath is finished in “Snowcrete” cement, with a buff tinted coping.

Purification Plant

The water for filling the bath, as well as make up, is obtained from the town’s water supply.

The whole content of the bath is circulated every six hours, the water being drawn from the deep end and returned to the shallow end over an open type of tier cascade aerator, through three inlets, each fitted with adjustable distributors, to the learners’ section. A fourth inlet is fitted in the bottom of the bath at the barrier enclosing the swimming section.

The up-to-date purification plant installed by Ricks, Sutcliffe and Bowden, Ltd., of London, has an hourly capacity of 44,100 gal. The plant comprises three 9 ft. internal diameter vertical pressure filters of the air scour type, having a superficial area of 190.8 sq. ft. and working at a maximum rate of 232 gal. per superficial ft. per hour. The design of the filter is such that every square foot of filtration area is in operation; further, every particle of the filtering material is cleansed during the washing out period.

There is a special instantaneous release type strainer box fitted on the suction main in front of the pump, which has a free area through the strainers of 2 times that of the diameter of the suction pipe.

The circulating pump is of the split casing ball bearing type, gunmetal fitted throughout, and capable of dealing with 735 gal. of water per min. against a total head of 35 ft. when running at 1,450 revs. per min. This pump is direct coupled through flexible coupling to one 11 and a half bhp drip proof protected type slipring induction motor, on combination baseplate.

The chemical plant comprises open type constant strength solution tanks for solutions of aluminoferric and soda ash, which are injected in the pump suction main by means of special force injection pumps which can be regulated to give any dose required and which are entirely automatic in operation. With this arrangement of chemical plant, it is claimed that accurate proportioning of the chemicals is ensured, to every gallon of water passing.

There is a separate motor-driven air compressor for the provision of oil-free pure air for the air scouring of the filters during the washing out process.

The whole of the water circulated through the filtration plant is passed through a flow meter, which gives an instant reading of the flow passing and enables full control of the plant to be carried out. Sterilisation is effected by means of chloromine, and for this purpose an injector type chlorinator and an ammoninator are installed.

There is a separate suction sweeper fitted for cleaning the bottom of the bath, this apparatus being operated from the main circulating pumping unit.

Heating Plant

There is also a complete solid fuel boiler plant installed, fitted with automatic stokers, through which the water from the purification plant can be circulated and heated; alternatively, the water can be circulated and heated when the purification plant is shut down. All the dressing cubicles and buildings are also heated from this boiler plant by means of low-pressure hot water radiators and pipes.

There are two No. 8N “Senior” Robin Hood boilers (supplied by the Beeston Boiler Co. Ltd., Beeston, near Nottingham), each rated at 637,920 B.th.u. per hour, and they are fired by means of stokers controlled by rheostatic type W.P.S. immersion thermostats. These stokers, installed by the International Unicalor Co., Ltd., Wolverhampton, are capable of handling a boiler rated at 780,000 B.th.u. per hour.

General

Cubicle blocks for each sex are in wings flanking either side of the bath, each block containing 10 cubicles and 160 lockers, giving accommodation for 320 bathers. In addition, there are two overflow rooms with further cubicles and lockers. Near the entrance to each block are attendants’ rooms. shower, slipper and foot baths. There is lavatory accommodation for the bathers and separate accommodation for spectators.

Before entering the bath bathers pass through five foot-splashers provided at the entrance to the bathers’ terrace.

Terraces of coloured concrete surround the bath, the bathers’ terrace being separate from the spectators by a dwarf’ wall and barrier. Provision is made at the western end for sunbathing. Accommodation for 1,000 spectators is provided.

The administrative buildings contain an entrance hall, superintendent’s office, ticket office and towel store, laundry, cafe, and kitchen, and a first aid room. The basement houses the filtration and heating plants.

Miscellaneous Equipment

Automaticket, Ltd., of London, installed a 10-way municipal self-printing ticket issuing machine. The whole of the stonework to the building was carried out in Croft adamant reconstructed Portland stone. The scum channel to the bath was executed in Croft adamant marble and the copings round the bath in Croft adamant cast stone. In the entrance hall the walls were lined with Croft adamant marble in Travertine and Swedish green, and the floor was laid with precast terrazzo tiles.

A three-board diving stage, double curve water chute with stainless steel face, and a standard tubular diving stage to A.D.A. regulations were supplied by Charles Wicksteed and Co. (1920), Ltd., Kettering.

Floodlighting is available for use on special occasions.

Engineers and Contractors

The scheme has been designed by the borough engineer and surveyor, Mr. A. O. Marshall, M. Inst. M., and Cy. E., F.I.A.A., M.I.Struct.E.. and carried out under his supervision. The consulting engineers for the ferro-concrete work of the scheme were Messrs L. G. Mouchel and Partners, Ltd., of London.

The following were among other contractors for the scheme: –

• General contractors: E. Orton and Dalby, Hugglescote, Leicester.
• Heating plant and laundry plant, Donald Smith, and Co., London.
• Valves, J. Blakeborough and Sons, Brighouse.
• Steel lockers, Roneo, Ltd., Birmingham.
• Sound reproduction equipment, General Electric Co., Ltd. Birmingham.