Cleveland Pools on show.

Richard Wyatt
The Georgians arrive ! James Arnott (with his back to camera) and his group of Hampshire Regency Dancers arrive at the Cleveland Pools with their picnic....
The Georgians arrive ! James Arnott (with his back to camera) and his group of Hampshire Regency Dancers arrive at the Cleveland Pools with their picnic….

Always nice to get a contribution from someone else and am pleased to hear it’s an upbeat report too.

It comes from Sally Helvey who is both a trustee and marketing officer for the Cleveland Pools Trust which has just recently ‘opened it’s doors’ over several days to let the public see why it’s a Georgian gem worth saving.

Brother and sister Karen Cottle and Paul Wilczek both swam at the Pools in the late 70s, as youngsters.
Brother and sister Karen Cottle and Paul Wilczek both swam at the Pools in the late 70s, as youngsters.

Here’s Sally’s report:

‘Nearly 800 people turned up to show their support and satisfy their curiosity about this hidden-away heritage gem on the riverbank in Hampton Row, Bathwick.

Many were former swimmers of the Pools and the Trust are looking for others to come forward to tell their stories.

The Pebble Painting (run by volunteer Alex Geddis), the Information stall and the Merchandise were all stationed in the Children's Pool.
The Pebble Painting (run by volunteer Alex Geddis), the Information stall and the Merchandise were all stationed in the Children’s Pool.

Families and individuals – some with bikes and dogs – were welcomed by trustees and volunteer stewards and everyone was free to explore and wander around the main pool and soak up the atmosphere of this tranquil spot.

Trustee Ina Harris – who organised the Heritage Open Days at the Cleveland Pools this year said “We were very pleased how many people turned up to the Cleveland Pools this weekend considering the weather forecast.

It just proves that there is increasing interest in what we are doing with this very special Georgian swimming pool in Bath, and there is a real air of excitement as we get closer to making this a reality.

L to R Architect Peter Carey from Donald Insall Associates, Bath MP Ben Howlett, Cleveland Pools trustee Paul Simons, and Tara Fraser from South Stoke Structures
L to R Architect Peter Carey from Donald Insall Associates, Bath MP Ben Howlett, Cleveland Pools trustee Paul Simons, and Tara Fraser from South Stoke Structures

We hope local people will continue to support us as we see the project through – we certainly have a lot more in store in future than what we can offer at the Cleveland Pools at the moment”.

Visitors were allowed into the empty children’s pool to learn more about the site’s 200 year history, and to peruse the selection of merchandise offer, including the increasingly popular ‘Diving Lady’ poster designed by local graphic artist Catherine Phelps.

Ruth Phelps ran the Face Painting activity
Ruth Phelps ran the Face Painting activity

Catherine came along herself to help her daughter Ruth run the Face painting activity and to man her Peep-hole board which people took their photos through.

Graphic artist Catherine Phelps with her Peep-hole board. Catherine also designed the increasingly popular 'Diving Lady' poster for the Cleveland Pools Trust to sell as part of their merchandise. A2-size Diving Lady posters are available at the Meltone Gallery in Powlett Road, Bathwick, and also at the Framing Workshop in Walcot Street.
Graphic artist Catherine Phelps with her Peep-hole board. Catherine also designed the increasingly popular ‘Diving Lady’ poster for the Cleveland Pools Trust to sell as part of their merchandise.
A2-size Diving Lady posters are available at the Meltone Gallery in Powlett Road, Bathwick, and also at the Framing Workshop in Walcot Street.

Luckily the weather held out for most of the time on each of the Open Days and lots of tea and cake were sold to visitors who had come mostly on foot from various locations around Bath.

Volunteer Jill Coles (right) who ran the teas for us over the Heritage Open Days. Her husband, Barry (seated), also came and they will shortly be going to live in Spain for a year, so we'll miss them. Jill is one of our regular weeders and is also doing lots of research for us on the history of the Pools. Pictured with them is Jane Roberts.
Volunteer Jill Coles (right) who ran the teas for us over the Heritage Open Days. Her husband, Barry (seated), also came and they will shortly be going to live in Spain for a year, so we’ll miss them.
Jill is one of our regular weeders and is also doing lots of research for us on the history of the Pools.
Pictured with them is Jane Roberts.

The new Design Team were on hand to chat to the public about how they are going to develop the proposals for the Cleveland Pools restoration project. They were kept very busy !

Another highlight of the Heritage Open Days was a visit by James Arnott and his ‘Hampshire Regency Dancers’ on the Sunday.

James and his group come to Bath every year in all their finery for the Jane Austen Festival which had just begun.

They delighted all the visitors as they mingled and posed for photographs, all of which are on www.ClevelandPools.org.uk

L to R. Trustee Ina Harris (who organised the open days this year), trustee Ainslie Ensom who sits on the Design Team working group, and Trust Chair Ann Dunlop.
L to R. Trustee Ina Harris (who organised the open days this year), trustee Ainslie Ensom who sits on the Design Team working group, and Trust Chair Ann Dunlop.

Chairman of the Trust Ann Dunlop came for all three afternoons to sell raffle tickets for the Charities Fair where the Cleveland Pools will have their usual annual stall.

Ann says: “This will be held this year on Saturday November 14th from 11am til 3pm in the Guildhall. Please tell all your families and friends.

We shall look forward to meeting you and selling you one of our delicious Christmas puddings – and much more!”.

Published by Richard Wyatt

Freelance Journalist, broadcaster, columnist and local historian. Director of Bath Newseum. Married and lives in Bath. Interested in local history, architecture and visual display in museums and urban spaces.