Baths were a splash

"Between 1950 and 1961 I was a pupil at Lee Street School, Atherton," writes Mrs Bullough, of Burnside Road, Smithills. "For one term, our class attended Atherton baths for swimming instruction.

"I remember walking in 'crocodile' fashion from school to the baths accompanied by a teacher, Mr Gee. We arrived at the baths, queued up on Mayfield Street and, as we were admitted, ascended the stone steps fronting the building.

"The sound of the metal turnstile admitting the pupils one by one struck terror into me, and I always regarded this as the 'point of no return'.

"Pupils could be excused swimming only on production of a 'note', and were allowed to watch from the balcony. We changed into swimsuits and had to wear caps - rubber, with a rubber chin strap, fastened by a metal buckle, and most uncomfortable. Next came the shower and foot inspection, supervised by Mr Gee.

"Then it was time to enter the water down the five steps in the corner of the shallow end (although there was nothing 'shallow' to a small child). We had instruction in arm and leg movements of breast stroke.

"Then it was the turn of the swimming instructress, a Mrs Ormerod, resplendent in a dark green coat overall, black Wellington boots, and carrying a black 'tyre type' life-belt to which was attached a length of rope.

"This 'tyre' was put into the water, and we were told to put it over our heads to our waists. However, most of us were too small to fit the large hole in the life-belt. We then had to walk towards the deeper water until it reached chin level, then we 'swam' in the life-belt towards Mrs Ormerod as she hauled us in.

"The baths also had private rooms near the entrance, with household baths installed where people could hire a towel and soap and have a bath.

"The Evening News says that Atherton baths haven't changed much. I'd dearly love to have a nostalgic look inside. Incidentally, I did learn to swim - 25 years later!"