New Lambton - Baths

26 January 1923

Swimming Bath for Lambton

Under the Miners’ Welfare Fund and with the cooperation of the management and workmen of Lambton “D” and Lady Ann Pits, a scheme has been inaugurated for the erection of a swimming bath and gymnasium at Lambton. A joint committee has been formed as follows: Management: Mr J.N.O. Rogers; Enginemen, Mr R. Churchill; Mechanics: Mr G. Garland; Workmen: Messrs G. Garland (secretary), A. Long and C. Wheatley. The scheme has been approved and the plans passed. The building will contain a gymnasium 30 feet by 20 feet and the swimming bath 81 feet by 30 feet with properly fitted up dressing rooms, spray rooms, etc. The site of 880 square yards is to be arranged for by the Lambton and Hetton Collieries Ltd. who will be responsible for the exterior connections for water, heating and lighting. The estimated cost of the building will be about £3,000.

The swimming baths at New Lambton were built in 1924, funded by the Lambton Miners’ Welfare Fund. As far as I am aware, there have only been six 'superintendents' of the baths over the years. The superintendent lived in the neighbouring Bath House. The wife of the superintendent was often also employed at the baths, so it was at times very much a family concern. The superintendents were:

• 1924 – 1928: Albert Moore

• 1928 – 1935: John Bellas

• 1935 – 1938: James Waddell

• 1938 – 1953: James Bland

• 1953 - 1969: Tom Murtagh

• 1969 - ? : ?

Soon after opening, the baths proved to be extremely popular, with local schools sending pupils there for swimming lessons. By early 1925, the baths hosted ladies-only nights, by popular demand:

17 January 1925

Fence Houses

Ladies’ Night At The Baths

There has been such a demand from the ladies in the district for a ladies’ night at the swimming bath of the New Lambton Welfare Scheme that the committee has, as an experiment, decided to set apart Wednesday nights from 5 to 8.30 for ladies only. The bath will be in charge of Mrs Moore, the wife of the bath superintendent, who is a very capable swimmer.

Just a month later, in February 1925, the first swimming club was formed:

07 February 1925

Fence Houses

A swimming club has been formed in connection with the swimming bath at New Lambton and the members have arranged to hold a gala shortly.

Other male and female swimming clubs quickly formed and these became affiliated with large leagues and associations:

23 May 1925

Fence Houses

New Lambton Swimming Baths

The swimming baths erected at New Lambton by the Lambton Miners’ Welfare Fund have proved to be immensely popular in the district and are largely patronised by the miners and other workmen of the neighbourhood. There are now both ladies’ and gentlemen’s swimming clubs connected with the bath, and as the men’s club has joined the Northumberland and Durham Amateur Water Polo League, some very interesting games should be witnessed. Largely through the activities of Coun. Geo. Garland, the energetic and popular secretary of the Lambton Miners’ Lodge and Welfare Fund, about 300 school children in the district are now receiving instruction in swimming, under the able supervision of A. Moore, the baths’ superintendent, and his wife. The Durham County Education Committee has promised to give a grant to the funds which will be a great help to the miners in the matter of maintenance. The Welfare Committee is hoping to extend the dressing accommodation in the near future.

On Monday, 26th October 1925, the first swimming gala was held at the baths by the Fence Houses and District Schools Swimming Association:

October 31, 1925

Swimming Gala

Fence Houses and District Schools Association

Fence Houses and District Schools Swimming Association held its first gala on Monday evening at the New Lambton Baths, when a very fine performance was witnessed by an audience of the children’s parents and their teachers. Since the Easter holidays, classes have been sent to the baths from Dubmire, Chilton Moor, Fence Houses, Burnmoor and New Lambton Schools and nearly all the children selected for the classes have been taught to swim by the instructors at the baths. Five trophies had been presented for competition and were won as follows: Boy squadron race cup: Dubmire School team. Girl squadron race cup: Fence Houses school team. Boy championship cup: T. Wilson, Dubmire. Girl championship shield: M. Dawson, Fence Houses. Back swimming championship cup: Wilson, Dubmire. Very keen competition was evident throughout, and fine sportsmanship was shown by the boys and girls in every event. The comic events provoked a good deal of laughter and made the programme most enjoyable. The undoubted success of the gala was largely due to the energy of the secretary, Mr G. Close, and he is to be congratulated on sending the Association off so well, and also in having the support of an enthusiastic body of teachers. Mr Kirkup, the Colliery Agent, in presenting the prizes, said it must be gratifying to the parents to witness the progress and enjoyment of their children, and that was sufficient recompense to those who had worked and schemed to have the bath built. Councillor G. Garland was also present and must have felt very happy at the very fine result of his efforts during the previous year to induce the County Education Committee to send school children to the bath. The President of the Association, in a short address, spoke of the able way in which Mr and Mrs Albert Moore, the baths instructors, had carried out their work and stated they had taught between them more than a hundred children to swim. The Association, he said, realised their indebtedness to the Miners’ Welfare Committee and appreciated very much the pleasure of having Mr Kirkup among them to present the prizes. Details of races: Boys’race, 50 yards: 1, T. Wilson; 2, J.G. Taylor. Girls’ race, 25 yards: 1, M. Dawson; 2, M. Storer. Balloon race (girls): 1, N. Hetherington; 2, E. Brown. Diving (boys): 1, G. Sharples. Diving (girls): 1, tie between M. Dawson and N. Weeks; 2, M. McFarlane; 3, C. Stuart. Lambton Cup for back swimming: 1, T. Wilson; 2, G. Jeffreys. Novices’ race (width of baths, for boys): 1, T. Bestford; 2, T. Mote. Do. (for girls): 1, L. Bell; 2, Stavers. Boys’ race (25 yards breast stroke): 1, W. Lowery; 2, L. Harland. Do. (girls): 1, M. Dawson; 2, M. Storer. Lighted candle race (girls): 1, M. Dawson; 2, M. Storer. Squadron race (boys): 1, Dubmire School; 2, New Lambton. Do. (girls): 1, Fence Houses; 2, New Lambton. Diving for weights (boys): 1, L. Harland. Life belt race (girls): 1, H. Palmer; 2, N. Weeks. Plunge dive (boys): 1, W. Hakin; 2, W. Lowery.Dressing on raft (boys): 1, P. Osman; 2, W. Hakin. Championship medals for those scoring most points in the championship events: Boys: T. Wilson. Girls: M. Dawson. The President (Mr C.S. Lambton), the hon secretary (Mr Guest Close) and the other teachers in the local schools deserve every credit for the success of the gala.

20 April 1928

Fence Houses

Lambton Amateur Swimming Club

The annual meeting of the above club was held at the Lambton Baths on Wednesday night, Mr G.L. Close presiding. Mr A. Moore (treasurer) gave his report which showed a balance in hand of 9s 7d. The election of officers resulted as follows: Chairman, Mr. F. Nelson; vice-chairman, Mr G.L. Close; treasurer, Mr A. Moore; secretary, Mr E.T. Dawson; auditors, Messrs Jas. and M. Hedley; captain of club, Mr Jas. Wood; vice-captain, Mr J.T. Murtagh; captain of polo team, Mr G. Atkinson; vice-captain, Mr James Wood; captain of junior polo league team, J.G. Taylor; vice-captain, G. Healey; committee, Messrs G. Atkinson, Jas. Wood, M. Atkinson, J.T. Murtagh, Jos. Winship, J.C. Taylor and E. Kelly. It was decided to enter a team in the Northumberland and Durham Junior Water Polo League for the coming season.

1928 saw the first change of superintendent at Lambton Baths when Mr Albert Moore accepted a similar position in Newcastle. A presentation was made to Mr and Mrs Moore at the end of the schools' fourth annual swimming gala:

28 September 1928

Fence Houses

Presentations

At the conclusion of the schools swimming gala at the Lambton Welfare Baths on Monday night, Coun. Ed. Gleadhill, on behalf of the Fence Houses and District Schools Swimming Association, presented to Mr and Mrs A. Moore a set of stainless dinner and tea knives and forks as a mark of their appreciation of the interest taken by them in the school children who have come to the baths. Mr and Mrs Moore, who have been bath superintendents at New Lambton, have now removed to Newcastle where Mr Moore has secured a similar appointment.

In September, Mr John Bellas took over as baths superintendent and took an active part in the aquatic-life of the village. In this capacity, he attended the fifth annual swimming gala to be held at the baths:

27 September 1929

Schoolboy Swimmers

Successful Gala At Lambton

The fifth annual swimming gala of the schools connected with the above association was held in the Lambton Welfare Baths on Monday night when there was a crowded attendance. The gala, like its predecessors, was a great success. The officials were: President and M.C., Mr Fred Nelson; judge, Mr A. Divine, the county instructor for physical training for boys; starter, Mr J. Standish; timekeeper, Mr J. Bellas, the baths’ superintendent; committee, the staffs of the local schools. Mr G.L. Close, assistant master of the Fence Houses School discharged the onerous duties of hon. secretary with his usual energy and perfection. He is well known for his organising abilities, one need but just mention the Burnmoor Tennis Tournament, the success of it is almost wholly due to his untiring energy and ability. The prizes were presented to the successful competitors by Mr G. Sutcliffe, the county school inspector, who first congratulated the Welfare Committee on having such a splendid bath. He spoke of the benefit of swimming and sport generally to school children. Whilst he congratulated the successful competitors, he also had a word of praise for the losers, saying that it was better to try and lose than not to try at all. In his school days it was all mental work but now in the present day education, some part of the time had to be given to sport which he thought was for the benefit of the student as it equipped them better for the mental work. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded Mr Sutcliffe for presenting the prizes. Details:

Boys’ Events:

Championship cup (presented by Mr A. Divine to the boy gaining most points in plunging, 25 yds. breast stroke, 50 yds. free style and graceful diving): A. Metcalf of Dubmire School was the winner, 9 points out of 12.

Back swimming cup: 1, R. Metcalf, F.H; 2, A. Pringle, C.M.

Novices’ race, one length: 1, W. Metcalf, F.H.; 2, T. Weeks, N.L.

Surface diving: 1, J. Henry, C.M.; 2, J. Grieves, C.M.

Graceful diving: 1, R. Metcalf, F.H.; 2, T. Burns, D.; 3, T. Smith, D.

Novices’ race: One widith: 1, A. Clarke, D.; 2, J. Passmoore, C.M.

Plunging: 1, R. Dawson, F.R.; 2, J. Grieves, C.M.; 3, A. Pringle, C.M.

25 yds. breast stroke: 1, R. Metcalf, F.H.; 2, V. Yellowley, N.L., T. Smith, D.

50 yds. free style: 1, R. Metcalf, F.H.; 2, A. Pringle, C.M.; 3, T. Smith, D.

Squadron race: Dubmire School

Girls’ Events:

Championship shield (presented by Miss Pybus to the girl gaining most points in graceful diving, 25 yds. breast stroke and 50 yds. free style): Winner: A. Raper, of Dubmire, 6 out of 9.

Novices’ race (one width): 1, M. Simpson, F.H.; 2, L. Jocelin, D.

Novices’ race (one length): 1, J. Colledge, D.; 2, L. Finley, N.L.

Graceful diving: A. Raper, D; 2, G. Purdie, D.; 3, E. Long, N.L.

50 yds. free style: 1, A. Raper, D.; 2, E. Allison, D.; 3, G. Purdie, D.

25 yds. breast stroke: 1, E. Parton, N.L.; 2, G. Purdie, D.; 3, D. Melville, F.H.

Squadron cup: Dubmire School

(D. signifies Dubmire School. C.M. Chilton Moor School. F.H. Fence Houses School. N.L. New Lambton School)

NOTE: "Bath House" first appears in the electoral rolls in 1930, with inhabitants John Bellas and Alice Jane Bellas. This gives an indication as to the date of its construction.

28 August 1931

Theft From Swimming Baths

Searched Clothes While Owners Were Bathing

"A lot of this is going on at the baths," said Mr John Bellas, the baths superintendent of New Lambton Swimming Baths, at Houghton-le-Spring Juvenile Court, on Thursday, when a 14-year-old Newbottle boy was accused of having stolen cigarette cards and a pocket knife, to the value of 6d., the property of a Philadelphia boy. The boy pleaded guilty and his father was bound over for 12 months in the sum of 20s. for his son's good behaviour. Mr Bellas said that in consequence of a complaint he received, he kept watch at the baths on August 13. He saw the accused boy enter one of the cubicles and search the pockets of the clothes there. He took a quantity of cigarette cards and a pocket knife. The boy's father told the Bench that he had reared a family of 12 and this boy was the only one who had ever done anything wrong.

In 1926, Mr and Mrs Bellas had had a son, John, who became an accomplished swimmer in his own right from an early age:

21 July 1932

Chip Off The Old Block

Teachers and scholars of the New Lambton School visited Lambton Colliery Welfare Baths yesterday and witnessed a swimming display by one of their scholars, John Bellas, who is the son of the Baths superintendent, Mr and Mrs John Bellas. The boy, who is not yet six, swam the full length of the bath fully dressed, he also dived from a height of eight feet and picked up several articles from the bottom of the bath and performed a motionless float of 54 seconds. Needless to say he has been trained by his father.

24 September 1932

….. During the evening there will be an exhibition of swimming by Master John Bellas, the six year old son of Jack Bellas, now superintendent of the Lambton Baths and himself a grand swimmer in competitions a few years back. I understand the tickets for the gala have gone very well and that there are few left.

By the early 1930s, life-saving programmes had begun at the baths with Mr Bellas as instructor:

22 December 1933

Life-saving Awards

Six members of the Lambton Amateur Swimming Club, W. Ward, J.G. Taylor, G. Youll, H. Shippens, S. Hall and A. Twiddy successfully passed the test for their intermediate certificates and bronze medallion. The examination took place at the Lambton Welfare Swimming Baths and was conducted by Mr J. Bellas, district representative and examiner of the Royal Life Saving Society, who complimented the candidates on their efficiency and smartness. Three members of the Houghton-le-Spring Division of the Police were also successful in obtaining bars to their bronze medallions. They were P.C.s A. Hull, C. Horsley and H. Ramsey.

In February 1935, the announcement was made that Mr Bellas was moving on, to Billingham:

07 February 1935

New Appointment. Mr John Bellas, who has been Superintendent at Lambton Colliery Welfare Baths for the past 10 years has been appointed by Billingham Urban District Council to take charge of their new baths, holds the bronze medallion for life saving, possesses a teacher’s certificate for swimming and life saving, and he is the instructor for the schools in the Fence Houses area and also for the police in the Houghton-le-Spring Division. He is a member of the Executive of the North of England branch of the Life Saving Society and an excellent water polo player, holding two championship medals and a cup.

The position of baths superintendent was quickly filled despite a large number of applications and the successful candidate was Mr James Wadell and wife.

26 March 1935

New Lambton Appointment

Mr and Mrs James Waddell, of Cleadon, have been appointed as bath attendants and swimming instructors at New Lambton Welfare Swimming Baths. There were 60 applications for the positions which were reduced to five, namely Mr and Mrs Waddell, Mr and Mrs E. Scurfield, of Gateshead; Mr and Mrs L. Travers, of Cleadon; Mr and Mrs W. Hetherington, of Fence Houses and Mr and Mrs J. Cresar, of Redcar. These were interviewed by the Welfare Committee, with Mr J.P. Oliver in the chair, last night, and Mr and Mrs Waddell secured the appointment. Mr Waddell is an engineer and after being five years at sea, was for two years in charge of the open air swimming pool at Hertford. He holds the Northumberland Durham Counties proficiency certificate for swimming and also the Board of Trade Marine Engineering certificate, and Mrs Waddell possesses a first-class diploma of the Liverpool Physical Training College, they are both well adapted for the positions to which they have been appointed.

The annual galas, swimming clubs, other competitions and lessons continued to take place at Lambton Baths with the participation of Mr and Mrs Waddell. I do not propose to reproduce every report here but if you are interested in a particular event, organisation, name, etc. then please contact the webmaster via the email on the Home page of this website.

By January 1938, the position of baths superintendent was again advertised for:

18 January 1938

Employment. Offered

New Lambton Swimming Baths. Man and wife to act as caretakers and swimming instructors; must be able to manage filtration plant and look after premises, etc.; also both must be able to swim and be capable of teaching school children to swim; joint wage £3/10/- per week and free house provided. Applications, stating ages, qualifications and experience to reach Ald. G. Garland J.P., North House, Fence Houses, by first post on January 24.

The successful candidate was Mr James Bland.

25 July 1938

Lambton On The Map

James Bland, of the Gateshead Swimming Club, and now Bath Superintendent of the Lambton Baths, Fence Houses, registered his fourth successive win of the 5½ miles Northern Championship swim from Stockton to Middlesbrough in the River Tees on Saturday. This is without doubt a very great achievement having regard to the strong opposition he had to battle against, and a damaged right knee while climbing a fence on Friday. One pleasing feature of the race was the winning of the two sealed prizes by Joseph Clark, a member of the Lambton Club, and who on his first attempt came in fifth. William Richardson, of Seaham Harbour, came in ninth. Both are young and powerful swimmers and apt pupils of the winner.

17 September 1938

Swimmers in the Fence Houses district, and enthusiasts too, are to be given a treat at the Lambton Welfare Baths on Monday night, when Mr Jack Hatfield, the ex-English champion and holder of over 40 English championship medals, Miss E.L. Gibson, the English international and Northumberland and Durham champion and record holder, and Mr James Bland, four times long distance champion and record holder of Northumberland and Durham, and others, will give exhibitions. There are 13 events, including a sealed handicap for the Houghton Divisional Police, and one for the Houghton “keep fit” class, and the Crawlers’ Club championship will also be decided. Other events will include diving, schoolboys’ handicap, etc. The gala is by permission of the N. and D. Amateur Swimming Association. The M.C. will be Mr W.H. Darke, past president of the English A.S.A. and the starter, Mr T.W. Morris, president of the N. and D. A.S.A. Most of the reserved seats have been disposed of. The gala will commence at 7.0 o’clock.

James' son, Donald Bland, born in 1931, also became an accomplished swimmer at a very early age:

24 December 1938

Tips For The Swimmer

Local Children Could Do Mile

By Oyster

One hears much of the prowess of child swimmers, such as the recent achievement of Kathleen Toone swimming a mile, using crawl, back crawl and breast stroke. Whilst I agree it is a magnificent performance for a child of eight years, I also venture to state we have a boy in the area that could accomplish the feat. He is Donald Bland, of New Lambton Baths, son of James Bland, the long distance champion of Northumberland and Durham. Even in our own town, Miss Sheila McAlpine is quiet capable of covering a similar distance with ease. Mention of Lambton Baths reminds me of the pleasing improvement of the Crawlers’ A.S.C. swimmers. They have been outstanding in open handicaps and have had five entries in N. and D. Championships this season and with a little more attention to detail, more should be heard of the brothers J. and R. Clark, J. Bartlett, C. Thompson and S. Garland, while the youth N. Harrison is coming along at a fast pace. Keep an eye on this youth. He has a good turn of speed, both in prone and back crawl swimming. The life-saving section of the club have also had many successful candidates in the Bronze Medal and Award of Merit tests. I am also informed that the Lambton Miners’ Welfare Baths has had one of its best seasons regarding attendance. I predicted this in these columns at the beginning of this season. The manager is to be congratulated, for practically all municipal baths are down with the very moderate summer weather. The baths have closed now for the season and the management hope to make alterations before the commencement of the 1939 season.

21 July 1939

Fence Houses Swimmers

During the past year, children of Fence Houses Intermediate Council School have been given swimming instruction by Mr James Bland, Superintendent of New Lambton Welfare Baths and he has had a record number of successes, 33 awards of merit, bronze and intermediate certificates having been won. Stella Smith, aged 16, has gained the Award of Merit (silver medallion) and other successes are: bronze medallion: Alice Swan, G.W. Garland, Jan Storer, E. Mitchell, R. Hall, M. Pratt, W. Suthern, Olive Norwood, H. Allison, Roland Todd, T. Knight, Irene Glendenning and B. Mossman. Intermediate certificates: Jane Storer, Alice Swan, D. Quayle, Gladys Ramshaw, E. Mitchell, R. Hall, Brenda Bilton, Rita Weeks, Sheila Forster, Sarah Dyett, M. Pratt, June Gamble, Margaret B. Baker, H. Allison, R. Charlton, R. Widdowfield, Irene Glendenning and W.E. Singleton.

05 November 1940

Another Award

Mr James Bland, the Superintendent of the New Lambton swimming baths, and the Long Distance Champion of Durham and Northumberland, and record holder for the five miles championship has been informed that he has been awarded the Royal Life Saving Society’s diploma by the central executive for his paper on physiology and practical ability and life saving and teaching of swimming. In addition to the above championship, which he won in 1925-36-37-38-39 (it was not competed for this year), he has the Award of Merit and Bronze Medallion, is an hon. Associate of the Royal Life Saving Society, is a first-class instructor and an advanced teacher of the A.S.A. He also hold the Royal Humane Certificate for saving life. The diploma will be presented to him at the next meeting of the Durham and Northumberland branch.

During the 1940s, Donald Bland had much success in national and international swimming galas. He became a member of the British Olympic Team and also represented Britain in the British Empire Games in February 1950. He also took part in the 1949 Morecambe Bay swim along with James Taylor of Marigold Crescent, Burnmoor. The webmaster can supply more information on Donald - or his participation in these events - upon request.

In February 1953 Mr Bland makes the decision to leave Lambton Baths and the position of superintendent is once again advertised in the press:

13 February 1953

Appointment

Lambton Miners’ Welfare Swimming Baths, New Lambton, Houghton-le-Spring, Co. Durham

Applications are invited for the dual position of Bath Superintendent and Instructress (man and wife) at the following salary: £480 per annum, joint wage with free house and coals. Applicants must be efficient swimmers, instructors and possess one or all of the following awards: Teacher’s Certificate of the Amateur Swimming Association; Member of the Swimming Teachers’ Association; holder of the Bronze Medallion of the Royal Life Saving Society. Superintendent to be a Member, Associate or Graduate of the National Association Bath Superintendents, with complete knowledge of filtration, chlorination and heating of swimming bath water, also baths administration. Applicants, stating age, experience and qualifications, with copies of three recent references, to be forwarded not later than March 16, 1953, to R. Thompson, Secretary, Lambton Miners’ Welfare, New Lambton, Houghton-le-Spring, Co. Durham.

An article then appears which explains Mr Bland's reason for leaving:

13 March 1953

Mr Bland is off to Portsmouth

Mr James Bland, who for many years has been superintendent at New Lambton Welfare Swimming Baths, leaves for Portsmouth this weekend to take up duties as superintendent of the Park Road baths under the authority of Portsmouth Council. He is no stranger to the town, for during the War he served in the Royal Navy and passed through the Naval Gunnery School at Portsmouth and subsequently sailed from the port on many occasions while serving in minesweepers. In addition to his duties as superintendent, Mr Bland has been instructor for swimming and life-saving to Durham County Education Committee, and scholars from Fence Houses Modern School have, on three occasions, won the Cox Memorial Trophy awarded to school teams for life-saving. His services have been recognised by the Royal Life-Saving Society with the granting a Certificate of Thanks for services rendered during the past 21 years. Another of Mr Bland’s most treasured possessions is a Royal Humane Society Certificate for saving a life in the River Wear while fully clothed. In recognition of his services for New Lambton Welfare Committee, he was presented with an oak lamp standard by Mr F.J. Wooding, chairman of the committee. Last night, after a final swim with members of New Lambton Amateur Swimming Club, for whom he had been coach and trainer, Mr Bland was handed by the club chairman, Mr Harry Bell, a tea set, a gift of his club mates.

16 October 1953

Swimming

Donald Bland, who is now living in Portsmouth, where his father is baths superintendent, made a victorious return to his native Lambton last night when he competed in New Lambton A.S.C. gala in the Miners’ Welfare Baths. Mr T. Murtagh, baths superintendent, was M.C. and Mr T. Blackburn acted as starter. Judges for swimming were Messrs Harvey, Hardy, Police Sergeant J. Clarke, P.C. J. Luke; and for diving Messrs H. Aungle, T. Blackburn and Mrs Blackburn…..

07 December 1953

Farewell presentation made to Mr James Taylor on 7th December 1953

Above: Farewell presentation made to Mr James Taylor on 7^th December 1953. Image from The Beamish People's Collection.

11 July 1974

Threat to Baths

Mining subsidence could force the permanent closure of the swimming baths at Lambton, near Chester-le-Street. Cracks have appeared in the pool and on the sidewalks of the bath – and now a survey is to be carried out.

10 July 1975

Move Looming for Lambton Pupils

Pupils attending New Lambton Junior Mixed and Infants’ School are to be transferred to Fence Houses under a proposed County Durham Secondary School reorganisation plan. But the transfer date is as yet unknown. Mr Charles H. Nicholson, headmaster, told New Lambton parents at the school’s prizegiving this week. “Facilities at Fence Houses will be much better, including a gymnasium, art and craft rooms and a separate TV room.” Mr Nicholson said that with the closing of the Lambton Baths, the Lambton pupils will be going to Chester-le-Street Baths after the summer holidays. Mr Nicholson said 15 pupils had been selected for G.C.E courses and ten would be going to Chester-le-Street Deanery and five to Sacriston Secondary School in September. This represented a 40 per cent achievement which was a satisfactory result. About school reports, Mr Nicholson said “I hope parents have noted remarks made. I consider reports valueless unless they indicate progress or more important, the lack of progress and the reasons which have caused this. In a school of this type, we feel we are laying the foundations for the future, without which a secondary school, college or university would have a difficult, if not an impossible task.” He referred to the many outdoor activities during the past year with visits to various places, including camping at Witton Park environmental centre. Mr D.H. Curry, Director of Education, presented the awards……

Lambton Baths finally closed in 1975. The webmaster would be pleased to receive further information or pictures for inclusion on this page.

Above: 12 November, 1968; "Mr Tom Murtagh keeps an eye on learner-swimmers at the Lambton Swimming Baths where he is superintendent."

Above: The remains of Lambton Baths, early 1990s