EPW047541 ENGLAND (1935). The Woodbank Sports and Social Club swimming pool, Stockport, 1935

Site of the Woodbank swimming pool, Woodlands Park,Stockport, 26/08/2014

Site of the Woodbank swimming pool, Woodlands Park,Stockport, 26/08/2014

Site of the Woodbank swimming pool, Woodlands Park,Stockport, 26/08/2014

Site of the Woodbank swimming pool, Woodlands Park,Stockport, 26/08/2014

Woodlands Park, Stockport, 26/08/2014

Woodlands Park, Stockport, 26/08/2014

I think I found reference to a film of the 1935 opening of this pool:

"... Local newsreel... opening of the new outdoor swimming baths at Woodbank Park on June 1st 1935. Crowds of spectators sit around the pool and watch a group of girls perform a synchronized swimming display."

Film No.1941, GLENGARRY TOPICAL FILM NO. 16, Producer: Preston Brothers, *1934-35, b/w, silent, 15 min.16 sec.

see http://goo.gl/fYAf0s



Looks like you have to view it in person at Manchester Metropolitan University library, http://www.nwfa.mmu.ac.uk/



Maybe someone in the area can have a look?

I think it's Woodbank Sports and Social Club in Stockport, as it was. The big house in the woods is Woodlands House (no longer there).

Well done Knotty!

I agree with other commentators that the words might read 'Rock Lane' or 'Rock Bank'. And could the words underneath possibly say 'Bath Spa'?

What is interesting is the stout metal railings which adjoin the adjacent property, with people apparently promenading behind them in their Sunday best. And the buildings to the right - could this be the service entrance and buildings for an adjacent hotel - they look functional with their pipework and what appear to be tin baths hanging on the wall? So maybe the railings are to enclose the grounds of a hotel or exclusive country club?

I've been through all of the Lidos outside London built in the 1930's on the Lidos in the UK website and I can't find a suitable match, based on the proximity to the river and also the shape of the pool. I could be wrong but none of them seem right.



I have also tried to save the image of the "shed" and play with the lighting/shading in order to read the words better. Again, no real joy. Sometimes I see "Rock Lane" other times "Rock Bank". I think I'll be seeing it in my sleep!!

Maybe it's not a lido but a hotel/spa?

David Parry has added an appropriate comment that 'shed' says "Wood Lane", and I agree with him. So, I used streetmap.co.uk and found there are over 250 'Wood Lanes' in the UK. I checked out each one in turn, using maps.google.co.uk and looking at the present day landscape round about. Also hoping to find that nearby river (river rather than canal). So far no joy but I may have rushed this exercise. However, perhaps there is another interpretation of the words on the 'shed' - anyone else got an idea as to what it might say?

How about the Egypt/Burnham Beeches area???

See also EPW047540 for the same site.



If we assume that the next image numerically was on the same flight and is thus nearby... It's EPW047542 which is "St Leonardshill, Windsor".

Butlins Skegness ?