Smethwick baths celebrates its 75th anniversary

Apr 1 2008 By Steve Johnson

THE glorious history of a Midland swimming baths, which has brought pleasure to thousands of "water babies" over 75 years, has been celebrated in style.

Smethwick Swimming Centre in Thimblemill Road, known by generations of families as Thimblemill Baths, opened in 1933.

Hundreds of visitors converged on the art deco centre over the weekend to reminisce over the baths which was also used as a top concert venue, even hosting The Beatles, The Kinks, the Small Faces and The Rolling Stones

Centre manager Chris Webley said a photographic display tracing the history of the baths had proved very popular and the centre could look forward to a rosy future.

He said: "The baths are as popular now as they have always been. There have been some changes over the years, and of course the centre is now much more than just a swimming baths.

" We now have a multi-purpose gym, a dance studio and a sauna as well as two pools.

"Something like 250,000 people a year use the facilities here and in the last 12 months well over £1 million has been spent on the centre, with a new roof and new changing rooms."

Mr Webley said that staff from the centre and the Black Country Living Museum dressed in period costume to mark the 75th anniversary and other attractions over the celebration weekend included King Kong - the film was released in the 1930s - a barrel organ, puppet show and face-painting for the kids.

There were special prices as well for the landmark. Swimmers were able to take a dip in the pool for just 75p, use the sauna for free and take advantage of a half-price gym induction.

Mr Webley said the pool used to be boarded over in the 60s, with the venue playing host to The Beatles, the Rolling Stones, the Kinks and the Small Faces.