Lime Grove Baths

Last updated

Lime Grove Baths
Hammersmith Public Baths.jpg
Lime Grove Baths
Lime Grove Baths
51°30′13″N0°13′43″W / 51.5035°N 0.2285°W / 51.5035; -0.2285
Location42 Lime Grove, United Kingdom, W12 8EA
Opened1907
Closed1980
Operated by Hammersmith and Fulham London Borough Council
Depth8 feet (2.4 m)
Features
four tiered diving stage

Lime Grove Baths was a public bath and wash house in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham located on Lime Grove, Shepherd's Bush.

Contents

The baths first opened in 1907. In the 1980s, the baths closed down. The pool hall and baths were demolished and the entrance block was converted into flats.

History

Origins

Since at least 8 November 1897, the land belonged to the Latymer Foundation. [1] By a conveyance dated 30 November 1904, the land was acquired by the Metropolitan Borough of Hammersmith from Richard Durnford, Secretary to the Charity Commissioners of England and Wales. [2]

The Lime Grove Baths was formally opened on Thursday November 7th 1907 by Edmund Charles Rawlings, the Mayor of Hammersmith. [3] The opening gala included an aquatic display arranged by the committee starting at 6:30pm.

Use

The baths had two swimming pools. The smaller was open all year round whereas the larger was open only during summer months. During the winter season, the larger pool was converted into a public hall for meetings, concerts, wrestling, dances, Badminton and Indoor Bowls. [4]

In 1908, the baths held their first swimming, diving and plunging Championship meeting. [5]

In 1910, John Henry "Rob" Derbyshire, became manager of the baths in 1910. [6] Soon after, in 1916, the Hammersmith Ladies Swimming Club was co-founded in 1916 by his wife Alice Derbyshire, who served as its honorary secretary for nearly 30 years and as president from 1945 to 1975. In 1921, Rob Derbyshire founded the Penguin Swimming Club. [7] The Penguin Swimming Club held their fifth annual club championships gala at the baths in 1964. [8]

In 1915, Lime Grove Studios was built opposite the baths.

During World War I, a Grand Christmas Fair was held at the baths in aid of prisoners of war. [9] On 11 November 1918, a dance was held at the baths on Armistice Night. [10]

The baths were the location for swimming and water polo competitions, including annual competitions for the Hammersmith Schools' Swimming Association (1919, 1920, 1921, 1934, 1935, 1966) [11] and trials for the London Schools Swimming Association in 1935. [12]

In 1948, recordings from the Championship All-Breed Cat Show held at the baths were broadcast on BBC Women's Hour. [13]

In 1949, future President of Nigeria Nnamdi Azikiwe spoke at the Plenary Session of the British Peace Congress held at the baths, delivering the speech "A Denunciation of European Imperialism". [14]

By 1962, the baths provided facilities for bathing, swimming and laundry. [4] Private hot baths and shower cubicles were available with towels, soap, bath cubes and shampoos available for a small cost. There were concession rates for children and free baths on certain days for pensioners. The baths provided fully automatic washer-dryers and hand irons. [4]

Swimming and boxing matches from the baths were regularly broadcast by the BBC [15] , including an iconic fight between Mick McManus and Peter Preston in 1967 [16] .

The baths were a location for the baths scene in the 1979 film 'Quadrophenia'. [17]

Closure

By 1980, the building's roof began to break away and the baths were closed down [18] , following the opening of White City Pools in 1979 [19] . The pool hall and baths to the west were demolished and the entrance block on Lime Grove was sold to the Notting Hill Housing Trust [20] by a conveyance dated 18 February 1982 [2] and converted into flats. [21]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">White City, London</span> District in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, England

White City is a district of London, England, in the northern part of Shepherd's Bush in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, 5 miles (8 km) west-northwest of Charing Cross. White City is home to Television Centre, White City Place, Westfield London and Loftus Road, the home stadium of Queens Park Rangers F.C. The district got its name from the white marble cladding used on buildings during several exhibitions when the area was first developed, between 1908 and 1914.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham</span> London borough in United Kingdom

The London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham is a London borough in West London and which also forms part of Inner London. The borough was formed in 1965 as the London Borough of Hammersmith from the merger of the former Metropolitan Boroughs of Fulham and Hammersmith. The name was changed to Hammersmith and Fulham in 1979. The borough borders Brent to the north, the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea to the east, Wandsworth to the south, Richmond upon Thames to the south west, and Hounslow and Ealing to the west.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lime Grove Studios</span> Former film studios located in London

Lime Grove Studios was a film, and later television, studio complex in Shepherd's Bush, West London, England.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shepherd's Bush</span> Suburb of West London, England

Shepherd's Bush is a suburb of West London, England, within the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham 4.9 miles (7.9 km) west of Charing Cross, and identified as a major metropolitan centre in the London Plan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Metropolitan Borough of Hammersmith</span>

Hammersmith was a civil parish and metropolitan borough in London, England. It was formed as a civil parish in 1834 from the chapelry of Hammersmith that had existed in the ancient parish of Fulham, Middlesex since 1631. The parish was grouped with Fulham as the Fulham District from 1855 until 1886, when separate parish administration was restored. In 1889 it became part of the County of London and in 1900 it became a metropolitan borough. It included Hammersmith, Wormwood Scrubs, Old Oak Common and Shepherd's Bush. In 1965 it was abolished and became the northern part of the London Borough of Hammersmith, since 1979 renamed the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shepherd's Bush tube station</span> London Underground station

Shepherd's Bush is a London Underground station in the district of Shepherd's Bush in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. The station is on the Central line, between White City and Holland Park stations, and it lies in Travelcard Zone 2.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">West Kensington</span> Human settlement in England

West Kensington, formerly North End, is an area in the ancient parish of Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, England, 3.4 miles (5.5 km) west of Charing Cross. It covers most of the London postal area of W14, including the area around Barons Court tube station, and is defined as the area between Lillie Road and Hammersmith Road to the west, Fulham Palace Road to the south, Hammersmith to the north and West Brompton and Earl's Court to the east. The area is bisected by the major London artery the A4, locally known as the Talgarth Road. Its main local thoroughfare is the North End Road.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hammersmith (UK Parliament constituency)</span> Parliamentary constituency in the United Kingdom, 2010-2024

Hammersmith was a parliamentary constituency in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament represented from 2010 until its abolition for the 2024 general election by Andy Slaughter, a member of the Labour Party.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Public Library and Baths, Balsall Heath</span>

The Public Library and Baths on Moseley Road, Balsall Heath, form one of many pairings of baths and libraries in Birmingham, England.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Birmingham Baths Committee</span> Former public body in Birmingham, England

The Birmingham Baths Committee was an organisation responsible for the provision and maintenance of public swimming and bathing facilities. Birmingham City Council funded, constructed and ran bathing facilities throughout the city. The movement to develop baths and wash houses in Britain had its impetus with the rapid urbanisation of the Industrial Revolution, which was felt acutely in Birmingham, one of England's powerhouses.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shepherd's Bush Green</span> Common land in Shepherds Bush, London

Shepherd's Bush Green is an approximately 8-acre (3.2 ha) triangular area of open grass surrounded by trees and roads with shops in Shepherd's Bush, an area of west London which takes its name from the Green. The Green is also a ward of the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. The population of the ward at the 2011 Census was 12,175.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brook Green</span> Human settlement in England

Brook Green is an affluent sub-neighbourhood of Hammersmith in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Located approximately 3.6 miles (5.8 km) west of Charing Cross, it is bordered by Kensington, Holland Park, Shepherd's Bush, Hammersmith and Brackenbury Village.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of Shepherd's Bush</span>

Shepherd's Bush is a neighbourhood in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham centred on Shepherd's Bush Green. Originally a pasture for shepherds on their way to Smithfield market, it was largely developed in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. In 1844 the West London Railway officially opened, followed in 1864 by the Metropolitan Railway who built the original Shepherd's Bush station, opening up the area to residential development. Businesses soon followed, and in 1903 the west side of Shepherd's Bush Green became the home of the Shepherd's Bush Empire, a music hall whose early performers included Charlie Chaplin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St Stephen's Church, Shepherd's Bush</span> Church in London, England

The Church of St Stephen and St Thomas is a Church of England parish church in Shepherd's Bush, London. It was built circa 1849–50, designed by architect Anthony Salvin in the Gothic Revival style and is now Grade II listed. The church is located on the South side of Uxbridge Road on the corner of Coverdale Road, to the west of Shepherd's Bush tube station.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">West 12</span> Shopping mall in London, England

W12 is a shopping centre in Shepherd's Bush in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham that is open from 06:00-23:30 daily and includes shops like Lidl, One Below and Poundland. The modern development borders the south side of Shepherd's Bush Green and was designed in the 1960s.

The West London Penguin Swimming and Water Polo Club, also known as the West London Penguins, is a British water polo and masters swimming club with history dating back to 1916. It was formed in 1976 as the Hammersmith Penguin Swimming Club by the merger of the Hammersmith Ladies Swimming Club and Penguin Swimming Club (1921). It states its date of foundation as 1921.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1982 Hammersmith and Fulham London Borough Council election</span> 1982 local election in England

The 1982 Hammersmith and Fulham Council election took place on 6 May 1982 to elect members of Hammersmith and Fulham London Borough Council in London, England. The whole council was up for election and the council stayed in no overall control.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1994 Hammersmith and Fulham London Borough Council election</span> 1994 local election in England

The 1994 Hammersmith and Fulham Borough Council election took place on 5 May 1994 to elect members of Hammersmith and Fulham London Borough Council in London, England. The whole council was up for election and the Labour Party regained overall control of the council, which it had lost during the previous council term.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wormholt Park</span>

Wormholt Park is a public park in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bloemfontein Lido</span> Swimming pool in the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham

Bloemfontein Lido was a lido in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham located next to Wormholt Park.

References

  1. ↑ "Latymer Foundation History & Archive". Latymer Foundation Hammersmith. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
  2. 1 2 2024 08 16 Summary Of Title NGL 417228 GOV. UK.
  3. ↑ "Programme of proceedings at the ceremony of opening the baths and washhouses, Lime Grove, Shepherds Bush...on Thursday November 7th 1907". Hammersmith & Fulham Local Archives. 7 November 1907. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
  4. 1 2 3 "[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Hammersmith Borough] page 56". wellcomelibrary.org. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
  5. ↑ "Programme of second swimming, diving and plunging Championship meeting to be held at the Hammersmith Public Baths, Lime Grove, Shepherds Bush on Thursday 14th October 1909". Hammersmith & Fulham Archives. 14 October 1909. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
  6. ↑ "Lancs aim for a final victory". Liverpool Echo. 25 November 1975. p. 17. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
  7. ↑ "Hammersmith Bath Superintendent – Funeral of Mr. J. H. Derbyshire". Acton Gazette. 9 December 1938. p. 5. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
  8. ↑ "[Programme of the ] fifth annual club championships gala at Lime Grove Baths on Saturday, 2nd May, 1964". Hammersmith & Fulham Archives. 2 May 1964. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
  9. ↑ "Programme of a Grand Christmas Fair [in aid of Prisoners of War] at Lime Grove Baths on Friday and Saturday, December 10th and 11th". Hammersmith & Fulham Archives. 1914–1918. Retrieved 15 August 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: date format (link)
  10. ↑ "Balance sheet for dance held at Lime Grove Baths on Armistice night". Hammersmith & Fulham Archives. 10 November 1923. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
  11. ↑ "Programmes and Official's Ticket for Hammersmith Schools' Swimming Association Annual Competitions". Hammersmith & Fulham Archives. October 1919 – September 1921. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
  12. ↑ "Postcard to D Chawe of the Victoria Senior Boys' School, Becklow Road, Hammersmith". Hammersmith & Fulham Archives. 30 August 1935. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
  13. ↑ "Remembering Lime Grove Studios". BBC. 21 May 2015. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
  14. ↑ BlackPast (9 May 2009). "(1949) Nnamdi Azikiwe, "A Denunciation of European Imperialism" •" . Retrieved 15 August 2024.
  15. ↑ "Small Hall Spotlight: York Hall – a piece of living boxing history". BBC Sport. 29 August 2022. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
  16. ↑ Lister, John (22 May 2013). "Mick McManus obituary". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 15 August 2024.
  17. ↑ Quadrophenia (1979) ⭐ 7.2 | Drama, Music . Retrieved 15 August 2024– via m.imdb.com.
  18. ↑ "Plight of the Penguins". Acton Gazette. 31 July 1980. p. 28. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
  19. ↑ "An Alternative History of Shepherd's Bush". www.richardgregory.org.uk. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
  20. ↑ "Sale of baths site is delayed". Hammersmith & Shepherds Bush Gazette. 7 August 1980. p. 4. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
  21. ↑ "Coningham and Lime Grove Conservation Area | London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham". www.lbhf.gov.uk. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.