Males and Gala Pool

The pool itself is 25 yards in length and 40 feet wide. It varies in depth from 3 foot to 6 foot. The individual changing cubicles around the side of the pool have solid wooden doors in cast iron frames with red and white striped curtains above. There are ladders into the pool which were installed in the fifties, replacing the original steps. Above the shower area is the foundation stone dated 1903. At the far end, just before the arches into the shower area, there used to be diving platforms. These were removed after it was deemed unsafe to dive into six foot of water!

First Class Males & Gala Pool
	This is the largest of the three pools at Victoria Baths and has changed very little in appearance over the years.


		Photograph by Paul McDonald
	The pool itself is 25 yards in length and 40 feet wide. It varies in depth from 3 foot to 6 foot. The individual changing cubicles around the side of the pool have solid wooden doors in cast iron frames with red and white striped curtains above. There are ladders into the pool which were installed in the fifties, replacing the original steps. Above the shower area is the foundation stone dated 1903. At the far end, just before the arches into the shower area, there used to be diving platforms. These were removed after it was deemed unsafe to dive into six foot of water!


		Photograph by Mark Watson
	Users of the first class pool would pay extra for the privilege of using the water from the artisan well first, before it was returned to the two storage tanks at the rear of the pool halls. Mixed bathing was introduced to Victoria Baths in the 1920's. This enabled families to swim together and fathers could teach their daughters to swim in this pool, whereas they were forbidden from going into the females pool.

	This was also the gala pool. To the left and right is the viewing gallery where parents used to watch their sons and daughters in the school galas. Keen supporters also cheered on their team from here in the County Championships and water polo matches. This pool used to be boarded over during the winter months for dancing and many romances and marriages began on this dancefloor.

	It is the aim of the Friends of Victoria Baths and the Victoria Baths Trust to reopen this pool, the Turkish Baths and the rest of the building for all of the general public to use.

First Class Males & Gala Pool