Public Baths, Farrow Street, Shaw

PUBLIC BATHS, SHAW, OLDHAM— A Local Government Beard inquiry has just been held at the Town Hall, Shaw, before Mr. H. P. Boulnois, M.Inst.C.E., respecting the application of the Crompton District Council for sanction to borrow the sum of 5,200/. for the provision of public baths for the district. The Clerk (Mr. J. H. Mills) stated that the District Council advertised for designs, and, out of sixteen, that of Messrs. Wild, Collins, & Wild, of Oldham, was selected. Mr. J. Wild was called and gave evidence in detail as to the proposed building. [Builder 19 March 1898 page 284]

The new baths are situated in Farrow Street, Shaw, in which thoroughfare are the two principal entrances, one for males and one for females. There are two large entrance halls and waiting rooms with a ticket office and towel store placed between them and separated by a glazed partition, the full height of the rooms. A special arrangement is provided whereby the swimming bath may be used for either sex without interference with the private bath approaches. Two separate staircases lead from the entrance halls to the gallery round the swimming bath. Each of these is five feet wide, end they can be used jointly or separately, thus providing for the admission of spectators without necessity for passing through the swimming bathroom. Special exits are for use in case of fire or panic. Tho floors of the entrance and vestibules are tiled. ‘The walls are tiled to a height of 4ft. 6ins., above which they are plastered. The swimming bath is 75ft. by 27 feet.  The room is covered with an iron roof and lighted by a continuous lantern running the whole length, and by a large window at the deep end of the bath. Dressing boxes are placed on the two long sides of the bath and there is ample lavatory accommodation. The walls of the large bathroom and private bath rooms are lined with glazed bricks to a height of 4 feet 6 inches, the other portions being faced with first class red bricks finished for painting. The slipper baths consist of two first class and vapour baths, and five second class for men, and two first class and vapour baths with four second class for women—each with complete shower arrangements. There is lavatory accommodation on for each set of private baths. Adjoining the baths is a caretaker’s house with parlour, living room, scullery, three bedrooms, etc. The elevations have been faced with red bricks with Yorkshire stone dressings, the front being of a most pleasing and artistic character. the entrances and the private baths are covered with red tiles, and the other portions are covered with blue slates. 

S. and J. Smethurst have been the principal contractors work, Other contractor were: stonework,  Messrs. S. and J. Whitehead;  joiners’ work, Mr. Emanuel Whittaker; slaters’ work, Messrs. Pickles Brothers; plumbers’ work, etc, Messrs R. Chadwick and Sons; plasterer, Mr. J. Pogson; engineering work, Mr. William Matthews, Manchester; ventilating and lighting, Messrs. J. Stott and Sons; the clerk of works was Mr. J. Henthorn. The whole work has been carried out under the superintendence and from the drawings and of specifications of Wild, Collins, and Wild, architects, Oldham. [Rochdale Observer - Wednesday 15 November 1899 page 4]

Reference    Builder 19 March 1898 page 284
Reference    Rochdale Observer - Wednesday 15 November 1899 page 4