Derby Street baths - it had water which was colder than the North Sea! Here's what you all said

That’s what you had to say when we asked for memories of the Derby Street baths.

A recent post on social media prompted a huge response from Shields Gazette followers and we wanted to share those memories.

The baths may be long gone – they closed in 1993 – but you had recollections of everything from the wonderful diving board to ‘water which was colder than the North Sea.”

Graham Marshall reckoned it ‘toughened you up that place, the training ground for winter nights out with no coat lol’.

Diana Lambton said the ‘water was always freezing and loved the banana slide’ while Ratcliffe Nikki commented: “Learnt to swim there with St. Gregory's infant and junior school in the late 70s.”

Our thanks also go to Jacqueline Flower who said: “Loved Saturday swim at Derby Street” and Ray Collins who had ‘many a happy school swimming day at that place. The foot bath was always freezing. Used to go there for swimming galas.”

Janet Waugh used to follow up a swim with a trip to the chip shop while David Johnston said: “The water was colder than the North Sea.”

Peter Manning commented: “Best oxtail soup ever’ and Robert Chambers ‘loved the diving board’.

The comments kept on coming and Leslie Allan said: “Spent many happy hours there. A group of us from Whiteleas used to go and, when it was time to leave, we used to go down the Mill Dam and swim in the Tyne.”

Lynn Mckenna was another one who loved a trip to Derby Street baths ‘until we got out of pool, running to the changing rooms then get ya hot chocolate or soup out the vending machines. Great days xx.”·

Gwen Smith said: “Practically lived there great memories” and Christine Liddle reminisced: “My Dad Harry Nightingale and my brothers worked there. Oxtail soup was the best.”

Mark Anthony Gillespie said: “I used to love it there, but not the disinfectant puddle that took your skin off haha.”

Joyce Marshall said: “Happy days there swimming as a child then taking my daughters to learn.”

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