Gwyder Street Bath House.

In February 1927 the public baths were opened in Cambridge, when few houses had bathrooms. The area was one of the poorer parts of the city, so the baths were an important amenity. There were 9 baths for men and 9 for women, costing 4d in the 1930's. In 1963 it cost a shilling (20s = £1) for which you got a hot bath, use of a towel, piece of soap 2 inches square, plus a bit extra for a scented bath cube. The hot taps were turned on from outside the bathroom by an attendant and who, when the allowed amount had been delivered, would call out 'Cold water going in.' The customer would then shout out when it was enough! The bath house was used by about 300 men and 100 women each week. As housing improved, fewer people used the facilities and they were losing £7,000 a year. The boilers were also worn out so the council closed the baths in 1971 and wanted to demolish the building to make way for a car park. This caused a lot of anger and The Bath House Trust was set up to save it. It is now home to various community groups. I remember accompanying a young orphan girl there who had started working in our office (not to bath myself as we had a bathroom) She had left a Barnado's home and was fostered by a wealthy couple with two daughters who lived in a very large house, but she was not allowed to use their bathroom and only the downstairs toilet. Every Friday after work, she had to use the public baths and was nervous of going alone. She was only 16 and I think of her every time I pass by. I think it was a dreadful way to treat her. She is now a proud grandma living in Sheringham.