Tales from Shettleston Baths

Wed, Jul 19th 2023 at 12:40 am - 2:00 am

Colin Brown will tell of Triumphs and Tragedies on 19 July

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The speaker, Colin Brown, a member of the Club, gave a humorous and entertaining talk about his experiences learning to swim and some related swimming exploits which he called 'Triumph and Tragedy'. He opened with a question -what links a Glasgow tram, a horse and cart, an OBE and a pair of swimming trunks? The answer was revealed as his talk unfolded....... He described getting the tram to Shettleston Baths (always the top deck where smoking was allowed!), queuing at the Baths to get in to the next 40-minute session, recalling the attendants and the noise of their whistles ending one session and starting the next, and the cubicles revealing legs and upper body. His teacher was Michael Martin, a milkman with a horse (Charlie) and cart; he was later awarded an OBE for teaching swimming to the blind. Colin remembered how Michael had the special privilege of staying on at the end of the session, going to the top board or 'dale', plunging into the pool like a meteorite and setting up a tsunami which soaked everyone. In summer the boys all changed in one room....and beware anyone with a wet towel to flick at you! After learning to swim, Colin obtained professional certificates and awards for life-saving. Having put his award badge away in a drawer he was mortified to find, during a swimming trip to the St Andrews Step Rock pool, that his mother had sewn his Award of Merit centre-front of his trunks! David Bateman gave the vote of thanks for a talk which was greatly enjoyed.

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