Victoria Baths, Males 1st Class/Gala Pool

Image: © David Dixon Taken: 30 Apr 2014

The widest of the three Olympic-length pools at Victoria Baths was the Males 1st Class pool, also known as the Gala Pool because it was used for special events such as swimming galas etc. Segregation in swimming and bathing both by gender and by class was normal procedure at the beginning of the twentieth century. Where an establishment had only one or two pools, segregation would take place by giving each class of user a different day of the week. At Victoria Baths, there were three separate entrances, separate swimming pools and separate wash baths for Males 1st Class, Males 2nd Class and Females. In 1906, it cost 6d to use the 1st Class facilities compared to 4d for the 2nd Class. As well being used for swimming competitions, the main pool was emptied and a protective floor installed every year when dances were held during the winter months. In this photo, the tiles on the pool floor have been covered for an art exhibition.

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