A Connection with the 1917 Baths and Lavatories Committee

During the period leading up to the launch of my book, Down at the Baths, many interesting stories started emerging, but one story in particular deserves mention.

Back in 1917 when the Palmerston North Municipal Baths were constructed and opened, they were administered by Council's Baths and Lavatories Committee. The chairman of that committee was Cr H.E. Bennett, but it is another member of that group that I wish to remember today.

One hundred years after the opening of the baths, local city councillor Adrian Broad made an exciting discovery. His great, great uncle, E.L. Broad, was a member of the Baths and Lavatories Committee in 1917 and his name can be seen engraved on the commemorative opening day plaque.

Cr. Adrian Broad must feel very proud to be able to serve the people of the Palmerston North community one hundred years after his great, great uncle was doing the same.

The photo of the opening day plaque pictured here was taken by Pat Scrivens and is on display in the foyer of the Palmerston North Lido Aquatic Centre.

From Swimming Log to Writing Log

Photo of swimming sqaud at Palmerston North Municipal Baths in the early 1960s. Val Mills

Time passes quickly when you're having fun, and so my presence here has been neglected. A lot of research and writing ground has been covered in the four or five months I've been absent, but the time has come to include this blog as part of my regular writing process. It's all about becoming more organised and consistent.

You see, I'm now only one year away from when I want the first draft of 'Down at the Baths' to be completed. I have books filled with notes, lists of people still to interview, and of practical things that need to be attended to. But, everything is going to plan and I seem to be on schedule.

In reflecting on my success as a swimmer I have fond memories of the little pink log book in which we set our goals, recorded our daily training and reflected on our successes. I'm sure that book was instrumental in developing my strong competitive nature.

And so, success in one area needs to be transferred into other areas. It's back to a log book, this time to plot my research and writing progress. It's all set up and ready to go, with a weekly blog post included in the plans.

There's weekly goals, a daily diary of achievements, notes to myself and space for reflection at the end of each week. Now, it's full steam ahead, one year to cross the first finish line toward the completed project. Wish me well.

Why Didn't the Baths Open On Time

How often have you started reading what promises to be an interesting life story, but felt something was missing? It takes more than just the personal facts of the story to bring it alive. Readers like to know the bigger picture. The story needs to be placed in context of what else was happening in the world or community at that time. 

For, example, in my own research into the story of my local baths, I couldn’t work out why they were late opening for the 1918 – 1919 swimming season -remember, I live down under in New Zealand so the swimming season is October to March.

The answer became evident. A terrible influenza epidemic was sweeping the world after World War 1 and New Zealand, being a small country was hit particularly hard. Of course the swimming pool wasn’t open, when schools and other organisations were closed.

Knowing a bit about what was happening  at the time helps the reader understand your story better. It’s worth making the effort to include the bigger picture to give a better understanding.