I was interested to read Pat O’Dowd’s letter in which he mentioned `Ozzy’ and `New Izzy’ baths.
I came across a book in Miles Platting Library called `Played In Manchester’ (Written by Simon Inglis and published by English Heritage). The sub-title of the book is `The architectural heritage of a city at play’, the book is full of interesting snippets about the various sports venues around Manchester. Here are a couple that Pat (and others) may find interesting.
New Islington Baths opened in 1880 and Osborne Street Baths in 1883. “It was during this period [1880s] that competitive swimming emerged as a spectator sport in Manchester. In 1889 for example the world’s first recognised swimming record was recorded at New Islington Baths, by a Leeds swimmer, ET `Stivie’ Jones, for the 200 yards freestyle!
Meanwhile, queues built up every Tuesday and Thursday nights to see the city’s newest sporting heroes, The Osborne Street Water Polo Team. Water Polo had first evolved in the 1870s as a novelty event to entertain spectators between races at swimming galas. It’s early years were dominated by the Osborne Street team who won the national water polo title every year from 1894 to 1900.”
“Manchester’s first open air pool was laid out in 1892 at Philips Park and measured 200 x 70 feet. In 1912 the pool was used by members of the (predominantly Mancunian) British water polo team to acclimatise themselves to the outdoor conditions they were set to face at the Stockholm Olympics of that year. Clearly the regime worked because they won the gold”.
John Minch
(Quoted without permission from pages 120 & 121 of Played In Manchester)
