Public Baths Henry Square Ashton-under-Lyne

ASHTON-UNDER-LYNE - The foundation of a new building which Mr Hugh Mason is about to erect for the use of his workpeople at the Oxford Mills was recently laid. The workpeople have enjoyed for some time past the advantages of reading, smoking, and lecture rooms, which Mr Mason has provided for them free of charge; and the extensive use that has been made of those rooms has induced him to erect a large building, in which there will be spacious baths and other improvements upon the original design. The existing lecture hall will seat 250 persons, and during the season of lectures and concerts it has been overcrowded. In the new room there will be accommodation for 400 persons. All the rooms will be spacious, well lighted, and lofty; and there will be large and well-arranged baths for both sexes. Messrs Paul and Robinson, of Manchester, are the architects of the new building, which will cost about £3,000. [Building News 24 May 1867 page 366]

ASHTON-UNDER-LYNE: The corner-stone of a new building which Mr. Mason is about to erect for the use of his workpeople at the Oxford Mills, Ashton-under-Lyne, has been laid. The workpeople have enjoyed for some time past the advantages of rending, smoking, and lecture rooms, which Mr. Mason has provided for them free of charge; and the extensive use that has been made of those rooms has induced him to erect a large building, in which there will be spacious baths and other improvements upon the original design. The existing lecture-hall will seat 250 persons; and during the season of lectures and concerts it has been overcrowded. In the new room there will be accommodation for 400 per- sons; and the reading and smoking rooms will be proportionately larger. All the rooms will be spacious, well lighted, and lofty; and there will be large and well-arranged baths for both sexes. Messrs. Paull and Robinson, of Manchester, are the architects of the new building, which will cost about £3.000. The ceremony was attended by the whole of Mr. Mason's work- people, with a band of music; and by a number of ladies and gentlemen who had been entertained at Groby Lodge. [Builder  25 May 1867 page 369]

MUNICIPAL BATHS, ASHTON-UNDER-LYNE. Messrs. Paull & Robinson, Architects, Manchester and London. In 1868 the Earl of Stamford and Warrington presented to the Corporation of Ashton an important site containing 1,800 yards for the erection of Public Municipal Baths. The land had a frontage of 70 yards facing Henry Square, and streets at the back and at one end, the other end being open space. The then firm of Paull and Robinson (now H. J. Paull only), of Manchester, were commissioned to prepare a design for covering the whole of the ground. This was approved, and the buildings, as now erected, correspond in nearly all respects with the original plans. The Baths were partially opened in the autumn of 1870, but not entirely completed until the summer of 1871. At that period, it is believed, the principal Swimming Bath contained the largest un interrupted covered area of water in Europe, except a bath in Vienna. The dimensions are 100 feet by 40 feet, containing 120,000 gallons. Windows being practicable on all four sides of this bath, it was determined to dispense with the usual top-light, vertical light being found to promote vegetation. Experience, however, in this case shews the necessity of perpendicular rays for imparting clearness to a volume of water. The sides and bottom of the bath are lined with white glazed bricks and tiles; but though the apartment is abundantly lighted, the water is not so translucent as could be desired. To avoid the cost of two swimming baths—first and second class— and to make one large bath serve for both classes, an arrangement was devised for separating the dressing boxes of first-class bathers, as shown on the accompanying ground plan. The gallery, on all four sides of the apartment, was intended for spectators on occasions of public swimming contests, and for a lounge. The district contains collieries and other industries which render frequent bodily ablution necessary, and two stone tanks are provided, with hot water laid on, where men and youths may obtain a cleansing before using the large bath. Fresh air is supplied through channels and openings connected with the external atmosphere, and under control; and extraction of foul air is perfectly effected through the large shaft. Thorough ventilation is thus obtained, independently of the windows, none of which, except a casement in each wheel window of the end gables, are made to open. The interior view of the apartment, together with the plans, will explain its construction, and render it unnecessary to say more than that the walls are faced internally with red bricks, same as the outside, and that the height from the surface of the water to the apex of the roof is 60 feet. ' It may be added, however, that the problem of how to construct a water-tight bath has in this case been successfully solved. A medium of asphalte between the internal lining and the outer backing of the brickwork of the sides, and a similar provision at the bottom, well connected with the sides, is found to be perfectly effective. Care is, however, needed to well bond the lining and the backing, otherwise, as experience has proved in this instance, the warmth of the water (75 degrees) will cause the asphalte to expand and thrust out the interior lining. Rapidity in emptying and refilling and warming the fresh water is an important matter in such a large bath as this; especially as even in summer the supply from the Swineshaw Reservoirs may be only 42 degrees. The arrangements are such that the water can be changed and warmed to the required standard of temperature in 24 hours; the means adopted for heating being a circulating system through a hot-water boiler. In place of spittoons at intervals at the sides of the bath, a continuous trough is provided all round, which also serves as an over flow ; and in connection with this is a strong iron hollow pipe-rail for the convenience of timid or weary bathers. The women's plunge bath is constructed in the same manner as the principal swimming bath. The height from surface of water to the ceiling is 17 feet Above this bath are the Turkish baths; the dressing-rooms and lounge of the latter extending over other parts of the building also. These hot-air baths have become very popular, in consequence of the rapid and complete change of atmosphere which is constantly effected throughout the heated apartments. At the same time a temperature of 200 degrees in the innermost chamber is easily maintained, and at comparatively small cost. Six first-class and twelve second-class private baths are provided, all being fitted up with Rufford's glazed earthenware troughs. The supply of hot and cold water and the waste to these troughs is by Purnell's patent taps, by means of which the contents of each can be drawn off and a fresh supply provided for a waiting customer in less than two minutes. Very complete arrangements are provided for washing and drying towels, drawers, sheets, etc, by means of a small steam engine and machinery. The demand upon this department has at times been very great; the number of bathers in all sections of the establishment having been nearly 2,000 in one day. The steam and hot-water boilers, and the furnace for the Turkish baths, are in a basement, and so arranged that one stoker may easily work the whole. Fuel is shot down from the open yard communicating with Fleet-street at the back. The house for the Superintendent contains six rooms and a cellar; and is so arranged that any section of the buildings above or below is readily accessible from it. A fire engine shed and a police lock-up are incorporated with the general structure, as shewn on the plans. Externally the edifice is wholly of red brick, except where stone is introduced in the entrance doorways and sills of windows, copings and bands to tower, &c. The tower or shaft is 12 feet 6in. square externally, and contains in the centre of it a wrought-iron tube, which carries off all smoke from the boilers, &c. The remaining space serves as an extraction shaft for the whole of the extensive premises, and is found to answer perfectly. The height from the street level to top of iron tube is 116 feet. Messrs. T. Clay and Sons, of Manchester, were the contractors for the whole of the building works; Messrs. Haden and Son executed all the engineering works; Mr. Dovey, of Manchester, supplied the gas fittings; Messrs. Grierson Brothers, of Ashton, executed the gas piping and other iron fittings; and Mr. Warren, of Ashton, made the movable furniture. The entire cost, including Architect's commission and clerk of works' salary, &c, as per report of the committee to the Council, dated 14th June, 1871, was £14,044. [British Architect 10 April 1874 page 233].

Reference    Building News 24 May 1867 page 366
Reference    Builder 25 May 1867 page 369
Reference    British Architect 10 April 1874 page 233