We used to go regularly to Hillsborough Baths when I were a lad!
There used to be a regular chant at this time "Hit him wi' thi wellow!
We used to call at the Co-op on Hillsborough Corner and get a bag of broken biscuits to eat on the way home.
We lived on Parson Cross then and we also used to go to the Ritz.
Who else remembers this? Let us know.

Every Friday morning we walked from Hillsborough county school with our towels and cossies under our arms to the Hillsborough baths for swimming lessons.

We all used to warn our mothers not to shout to us if they saw us amongst the shoppers as we felt it showed us up in front of our schoolmates.

There wasn't many distractions on the first stretch across the top of the park but when we hit the shops we were into everything there was so much going on.

The teacher had all on keeping us together, we must have been a nightmare for him.

In the baths we took lessons from a swimming teacher I believe his name was Mr Servio or something similar.

I can still remember the canvas curtains on the cubicles.

There was a girls side and a boys side for changing although from school it was either the girls lessons or the boys, no way were they allowed to go swimming together.

On Saturdays a few of us used to go for a swim and to meet the girls.

We'd stand on the changing cubicle seats and wave across to the girls in the cubicles opposite and taunt them.

Afterwards we'd come out of the baths ravenous, we'd walk up the Hillsborough shopping area and buy whatever we could afford to eat.

Often it was a Pikelet or Milk Cake or some broken biscuits from the Meadow Dairy or tripe bits or if we were flush we shared a real strawberry ice cream from Howards Dairy next to Wigfulls.

Happy Days!!

i learnt to swim in hillsborough baths.

I went to Corporation Street Swimming baths. We used to go every week with Mansel School. Then I used to go to Hillsborough Baths where I finally mastered the art of swimming (breast stroke). I was in the six weeks school holidays at the time.

So I learnt at Hillsborough Baths same as you Starla.

I learnt at Hillsborough Baths as well... Well actually my learning to swim days were sort of split 50/50 between Hillsborough and Upperthorpe Baths.

shame they closed it really was a nice little bathes that place x

Anyone remember the instructors from early 70s 2 spring to mind.........Mr Lindley and Mr Sivia ( not sure about spelling).
They were both pretty scary.Mr Lindley used to show off to the kids after the sessions by swimming 2 full lengths underwater.Some kids thought it was funny to run down the entire length of cubicles and whip open the canvas curtains....Happy days!

I learned to swim at hillsborough baths too. We were taken on a coach from Hillsborough middle school. The coach must have stank of chlorine afterwards after our trip back.

Me and a mate used to go on the school holidays(around 1982 ish). The sessions for us in them days were only about 25p. But they used to make you get out after every session and they were only about 45 minutes. We used to get out and go straight back in again for the next session. One time like a fool I left my swimming trunks on under my trousers. I had a wet arse on the way home in the afternoon!

There used to be a battle tank game console in the foyer, and I used to like the chicken soup on the way out.

Hillsborough was lovely and always nice and warm. Sheaf valley always seemed cold to me.

If you really miss Hillsborough baths, go to Heeley Baths. It is almost exactly the same inside, they are open really early and seem well run. But sometimes get a little too busy. The cubicles are the same, the sides of the pool is the same, they even have the same ladders etc..

I learned to swim at Hillsborough baths when I was a pupil at Hillsborough School. Mr Lindley was the swimming instructor and I have probably never hated anyone as much as him in my whole life!!!

When I was fairly young, I fell down a slope on Rivelin Nature trail and fell into a deep part of the river. I very nearly drowned and had to be dragged out by my feet by a man who was lowered down to grab me. As a consequence, I was terrified of going under the water.

I was too scared to jump in the pool, so Mr Linley, in his infinate wisdom, pushed me in! It was one of the most horrific experiences I can ever remember. He would also push your head under the water.

I hated that man so much!!

I eventually learned to swim but with no help from him and spent many a summer holiday in there. 25p and some money for a hot chocolate and a packet of salt and vinegar twists from the vending machine afterwards.

Can anyone remember the life guard who worked there for what seemed like forever? He was some kind of teddy boy with a black quiff, tight white t-shirt and skin tight black drainpipe trousers!

Ahhhh those were the days!!

FetishFairy,
you must have been in the same year as me. I remember the teddy boy lifeguard, and the other (blonde) one had crew cut we used to call him action man.
I remember Mr lindley too he was older and a bit scarey looking.
I was one of the last in my year to actually swim. We used to go with Mrs Allison, our class teacher. When I got my certificate for 100 yards our school won a cup for 100% swimmers, the best in the city. When I was doing it, there were a few other pupils following on the side cheering me (and therefore the school) at every turn.

Yes I remember the teddy boy lifeguard he allways remined me of elvis presley. didnt they move him to upperthorpe baths when it closed

'Muddy Coffee'

You were right in calling the blonde haired bath attendant 'Action Man'.

He swam the English Channel to raise money for a charity.

He is still alive and well in Sheffield.

Happy Days!

Crikey PopT, I didn't know that.
We used to call him Action man on account of his short hair, which made him look like an action man doll.

Looking back that kind of haircut was more unusual in those days, unless you were in the army. A feature like that on a man wouldn't draw any attention at all today.

The teddy boy sometimes used to call himself Chris and sometimes Ricky....

He was a nice bloke actually. Anyone know what became of him? It's not like I ever see him at Ponds Forge or Hillsborough Leisure Centre..?

I used to love getting a hot chocolate and a packet of crisps after a swim, and walk home with wet hair (only to get "done" off me mum)!

The Hillsborough baths sure were used a lot.
In my first year at colley school ,1950.We used to take a bus to the baths ,part of the curriculum.
Never did learn to swim.
These days I stay away from water unless it is in Scotch

Sweetdexter

If you can't swim I guess you'll be taking more Scotch than water then?

Happy Days

50/50 these days.
Makes the Scotch last longer,and I cant handle the hangovers

I also learnt to swim at Hillsborough, but can't remember who taught me. Later on when I got married, Mr. Lindley (one of the swimming teachers) became bmy ex-father-in-law!!! Later, when it ended up as the Deep End, my nephew used to run it !!!

Hold the front page!! Elvis recently seen walking (not dry-land swimming) down Herries Road, near the Five Arches pub. Oh, happy news!

I also learnt to swim at Hillsborough baths and also was despatched there as a youngster for a weekly 'slipper bath' when my tin bath in front of the fire whilst my dad was watching Tonight on TV became 'indecent'. Thankfully soon after we were moved to a house with a bathroom!

Are we talking about the Hillsborough & "Lower Walkley" baths. He says being pedantic :D

I remember going to Hillsborough baths from Firth Park School. We made our own way there first thing in the morning, and if we were early we'd spend the time skimming stones in the river behind the pub at the bottom of Walkley Lane. I remember Mr Sivia, I always rank him along with Mr Scott at Sutherland Road baths, both scared me to death! When we went in we could order Horlicks or hot Bovril for afterwards, and we made a beeline for the broken biscuits . I remember always being ravenous after swimming!

The life guard called Chris used to threaten us with that pole he carried about. I remember seeing him on TV quite a few years ago, he was on GMTV they were doing a search for the best Elvis impersonator.
What about those changing rooms! just a pull across curtain to change behind and when you were in the middle of getting ready someone would open the curtain to see if anyone was in the cubicle:blush:

just discovered this site, i remember mr.sivia and i believe his daughter lives up wadsley. i used to have slipper baths and got in free to the swimming baths cos my dad didnt work,they used to give us a book of tickets to use. after swimming it was a bag of broken biscuits on the way home.
we lived in hillsborough and i left sheffs 40 years ago but the memories linger.
there was no brass not much to eat but fantastic times and fun in hillsborough park playing football with about 20 on each side
and an old chap who had a shop on dixon road used to join in.

I too learned to swim at hillsbrough baths, my brother through me in the deep end, the Ba*****, he just said sink or swim. i s*** my pants!:gag:

I too learnt to swim at Hillsborough baths when i was at Longley school. I was tought by Mr Tingle. Great days!! :D

I'm another one who also learnt how to swim at Hillsborough baths in the 80's, but I carried on going a couple of times a week until it closed down.
John the blonde instructor taught me for most of my lessons. I think I started my lessons when I was about 5 or 6. I remember him telling me that the armbands didn't really hold me up, so I took them off and swam a width. I still have the badge and certificate to prove it. John tried the same trick on my friend but she didn't believe him. She had 2 more weeks of lessons wearing deflated armbands before she swam a width without them.
Chris was the teddy boy instructor. When it closed he moved to the new Hillsborough baths for a while. He did go on to become an Elvis impersonator, my Mum saved me the newspaper article about him.
There was an older instructor too, I can't remember his name, and the lady who took your money and sold the sweets (I always had a Highland Toffee) was called Rita.

It is a shame it was shut down, it was a nice old fashioned baths. However I'm not too upset because it is a friend of mine who bought the building and turned it into The Deep End. I've never been in, but apparently it's a half decent live music venue.

Originally posted by arrodbo
there was no brass not much to eat but fantastic times and fun in hillsborough park playing football with about 20 on each side
and an old chap who had a shop on dixon road used to join in.

I used to play football in Hillsborough park too. I think the old chap's name was Mr Hawksworth. He used to come and join in when he finished work (although he had the shop, I think he was a joiner) and played in his brown bib and brace overalls.

The poin you make about Mr.Hawksworth is dead right,He lived on Dixon Rd. and always joined in,he was a great old man who could play footie too!!. His son goes in the Wadsley Club every night playin snooker

I Also Learnt How To Swim At Hillsborough Baths,And Do Remember Mr.Lindley & "Action Man".

My Grandad Used To Take Us On Monday Nights-When Post Office Workers Had A Private Session (I Think).I Got My 10 & 25 Yards Certificates From Them.

Later,When We Started At Rivelin School They Did A Bronze,Silver & Gold Awards Scheme.You Had To Do Certain Things To Get It.Some Of Which Were Swimming In Your Pyjama's,Treading Water For So Long And Swimming Underwater To Touch A Brick!
When You Passed Them You'd Get A Certificate,Pin Badge & A Cloth Batch To Sew On Yer Trunks.
Anyone Know If They Still Do That?

the teddy boy life guard who looked like elvis, actually is an elvis impersonator, he lives near the five arches.
personally i couldn't stand him, he always used to come round as you were getting changed and open the curtains, for a 12 yr old this was very embarassing.

I drove down Herries Road yesterday and saw him mowing his lawn. He must be 50 or more, but still has boot polish black hair and side burns. Used to look cute, now looks sad !!

Originally posted by Joey
I drove down Herries Road yesterday and saw him mowing his lawn. He must be 50 or more, but still has boot polish black hair and side burns. Used to look cute, now looks sad !!

I so agree with you, Chris lives round the corner from me, known him for years, ever since I was a kid. Think he's losing the plot somewhat!

I learned at Hillsborough too and used to go on Friday nights. There was a girl called Francine and a boy called Frances in my class. My teacher was Mr Lindley and I found him ok.

I remember diving down for the black brick and life saving and making floats with pyjama bottoms. And me, my sister and our friend (who we used to take with us) all got pushed in by him, fully clothed.

But I think its how you perceive things, I thought it was all part of the fun. He told my dad beforehand he would do it, so my dad had a change of dry clothes for me.

I remember the drink machine and those Bovril flavour crisps on the way out ...

I'm another one who learned in Hillsborough baths, in the late 60's as a little lad. My dad taught me.

I remember that guttering that ran round the edge....good to hold on to. I liked the changing rooms down each side of the pool.

Later when we went with the school it was Upperthorpe. I loved the hot chocolate from the machine afterwards.

I remember queueing up for what seemed like hours to get into Sheaf Valley baths when they first opened. They had Rolf Harris......and he did a picture which hung on the wall for years. It took me several years to 'tell what it is yet'

Those lights on the wall with the siren that told you when to get out, and the awful changing rooms with those horrible little coat hangers to put all your stuff on.

We used to go regularly to Hillsborough Baths when I were a lad!
There used to be a regular chant at this time "Hit him wi' thi wellow!
We used to call at the Co-op on Hillsborough Corner and get a bag of broken biscuits to eat on the way home.
We lived on Parson Cross then and we also used to go to the Ritz.
Who else remembers this? Let us know.

My Father introduced me to Hillsborough baths in the early sixtees. I lived at Foxhill and continued to go with my mates. Jack's Saspirella shop at the top of Bamforth Street was our refreshment stop afterwards.

I assume you are aware that it is now a pub and that quite a lot of the interior decor remains as it was.

I too learnt to swim at hillsborough baths it took me a while but I was so pleased came in very useful on holiday last year as I fell off a boat into 70 foot deep lock on the river servern head first only problem I hate getting water higher than my neck.

I remember the baths as a kid, it was a bit slack when you had to share the change area with a stranger, I think they called it that because sometimes the change would be missing out of our pockets when we got out.
I started going with my brothers in the early sixties on Saturdays, it was a great pick up place in those days, a couple of girls came from the Stannington area so it was a very enjoyable time for my Brother & I walking them home through Riverlin Valley every week, what an education I received, if you're out there, THANKS.

I started going with my brothers in the early sixties on Saturdays, it was a great pick up place in those days, a couple of girls came from the Stannington area so it was a very enjoyable time for my Brother & I walking them home through Riverlin Valley every week, what an education I received, if you're out there, THANKS.

Mmm, I'm sure they received an education too !!

i learnt to swim in hillsborough baths.
me too.i got pushed in deep end wen i wa 13 so it wa sink r swim. the person who pushed me in didnt no i cudn`t swim

I'ts my understanding Hillsborough Baths became a pub called the 'Deep End', is the pub still around?

It did become The Deep End, but that went horribly wrong and closed down. It reopened last year as a Wetherspoons "The Rawson Spring"

i learned to swim there, school used to take us.
high light was the vending machines

Wow all of you, what memories. My grandfather owned Wards Mens outfitters across from the baths, and I suppose I was lucky to be able to have learned to swim in the evenings when the bath's where closed to the public. So I never got to meet these interesting people. I came to Canada in 1968. Are the baths still there. Jan Softly ( Janet Ward)

My brother Clinton WOODS (Boxer) and i learnt to swim at Hills bro baths. I can picture it now the changing rooms were at the side of the pool.:D

I used to go there Saturday mornings. Don't remember the teacher's name, but we were in the top left hand corner of the pool. Mr. Lindley had the top right. Did all the badges, treading water, swimming with clothes on etc. The changing cubicles were always so cold with the little curtain that kept blowing open. After we would walk around the corner to catch the number 7 bus home, but stop in the cafe on the bridge (think it's a kebab shop now) for a hot teacake.

I recall going to Hillsborough baths one afternoon in the 1950s with Wisewood school and being surprised at seeing my dad diving in. He had just finihed a 6-2 shift at Neepsend power station and gone straight to the baths.

I learnt to swim there,but being skint I just watched the rich kids who were having paid lessons and copied them,I drowned a couple of times but soon got the hang of it!!

The poin you make about Mr.Hawksworth is dead right,He lived on Dixon Rd. and always joined in,he was a great old man who could play footie too!!. His son goes in the Wadsley Club every night playin snooker
He used to come round our house every Sunday afternoon and get me out,we would have played in this weather too.I think he was a painter and decorator.
I am not sure about this but I think he played for Chesterfield pre-war.His son David is a carbon copy.

I learned to swim at corperation st baths when I was 9 and the water was red hot,great, then we started going with shirecliffe school to hillsboro baths,I hated it,it was always cold,Igained my intermediate cert and my bronze medallion through mr sivier,he used to live up Bowness rd,at the time I took the test it was xmas1956 and the boiler had broken down it was freezing Ilet go of my partner about five feet from the end and he made me do it again but that was fair enough.After the sesions with the school we would walk across Holme lane and get broken biscuits from Hemmines grocers and always kick the boxes to make sure there was some for next time.Can anybody remember when it was threepence and a bath ticket to get in.

Yes I remember Bullerboy,Having the little white tickets and paying a small amount I thought it was twopence but you could be right.
I only lived across the road (Rudyard)so myself and my brothers went quite a lot and if you went Saturday morning early you were allowed to stay in until they got busy.
I also went to the slipper baths because no bathroom in our house,my grandchildren think it was disgusting that everyone in the area got bathed in the same bath,not altogether I may add.
I like the bit about the biscuits.:hihi:

I used to go to Hillsborough baths from the 50's right through till my teens, Boys on one side and girls cubicles on the other with the canvas door curtains. I remember seeing the lads feet under the curtains on the other side. Afterwards I was always hungry and thirsty so I went to the Herbalist just round the corner on Holme lane and had a hot fruity drink. There was a little wooden form to sit on in the shop,. Does anyone remember the Herbalist?

I learned to swimm at the baths two , remember my first 25 metres, felt like a mile lol.

We used to go from fir vale school on a bus and used to have a packet of walkers snaps after.

Happy days!!!!

FetishFairy,
you must have been in the same year as me. I remember the teddy boy lifeguard, and the other (blonde) one had crew cut we used to call him action man.
I remember Mr lindley too he was older and a bit scarey looking.
I was one of the last in my year to actually swim. We used to go with Mrs Allison, our class teacher. When I got my certificate for 100 yards our school won a cup for 100% swimmers, the best in the city. When I was doing it, there were a few other pupils following on the side cheering me (and therefore the school) at every turn.

haha that life guard with the teddy boy hair cut is my next door neighbour now he hasnt changed a bit his name is chris

The teddy boy sometimes used to call himself Chris and sometimes Ricky....

He was a nice bloke actually. Anyone know what became of him? It's not like I ever see him at Ponds Forge or Hillsborough Leisure Centre..?

I used to love getting a hot chocolate and a packet of crisps after a swim, and walk home with wet hair (only to get "done" off me mum)!

hi chris the teddy boy is my next door neighbour he hasnt changed one bit lol

I also learned to swim at Hillsborough Baths, and like nosy nellie and others I was a regular client of the slipper baths, rather than fill the old tin bath with water from the "copper".... Afterwards I was always hungry and thirsty so I went to the Herbalist just round the corner on Holme lane and had a hot fruity drink. There was a little wooden form to sit on in the shop. Does anyone remember the Herbalist?I think this must have been Mrs Styran at 27 Middlewood Road - I don't remember a herbalist in Holme Lane apart from Daubney's right at the other end at Malin Bridge. Here are scans (http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u219/twigmore/Hillsborough-1.jpg) from a 1940s directory showing Hillsborough Baths and some of the Middlewood Road shops. Apart from hot and cold fruit-flavoured drinks, Mrs Styran sold Horlicks, Ovaltine and peppermint-flavoured drinks, also Horlicks ice lollies at 4d each.

Mrs Styran retired around 1964 and died aged 95 in February 2000. Her name was actually Elsie - the "Mrs Curtis Styran" shown in directories was her widowed mother-in-law who had retired from the business in the 1940s. Elsie had married Walter Styran Jnr, the original herbalist (Walter Styran Snr.) having died as long ago as 1918.

There used to be an herbalist amongst the shops at Hillsborough opposite Proctor Place. If I remember rightly you went up a couple of steps.

There used to be an herbalist amongst the shops at Hillsborough opposite Proctor Place. If I remember rightly you went up a couple of steps.Yes - that was Mrs Styran's in Middlewood Road. It's now a ladies' clothes shop.

I've remembered the name of the lady who taught children to swim at Hillsborough Baths in the 1950s - it was Mrs Earl. She was an expert at overcoming children's fear of deep water, and also getting the best out of the competition swimmers she trained.

I too remember Mrs Earl she was really attractive if i remember right, i think she died a many ago she must have been quite young.

I remember we would dive of the balcony rail when the atendant was't looking at Hillsborourgh after they lowerd the diving bourd.
Went there when it was too cold at Longley Baths.

I learned to swim at Hillsborough baths when I was a pupil at Hillsborough School. Mr Lindley was the swimming instructor and I have probably never hated anyone as much as him in my whole life!!!

When I was fairly young, I fell down a slope on Rivelin Nature trail and fell into a deep part of the river. I very nearly drowned and had to be dragged out by my feet by a man who was lowered down to grab me. As a consequence, I was terrified of going under the water.

I was too scared to jump in the pool, so Mr Linley, in his infinate wisdom, pushed me in! It was one of the most horrific experiences I can ever remember. He would also push your head under the water.

I hated that man so much!!

I eventually learned to swim but with no help from him and spent many a summer holiday in there. 25p and some money for a hot chocolate and a packet of salt and vinegar twists from the vending machine afterwards.

Can anyone remember the life guard who worked there for what seemed like forever? He was some kind of teddy boy with a black quiff, tight white t-shirt and skin tight black drainpipe trousers!

Ahhhh those were the days!!

yes e was called chris kenny e still the same 2 day i c him alot ust 2 think e was elvis

Hold the front page!! Elvis recently seen walking (not dry-land swimming) down Herries Road, near the Five Arches pub. Oh, happy news!

e lives on ther