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DOWN AT THE BATHS

The Story of the Palmerston North Municipal Baths

1917-1966

By Val Mills

Cold water, short summers and the lingering smell of chlorine on the skin were less important than fun and friendship while swimming outdoors in all weather down at the baths in Ashley Street.

‘Thank heavens they never went ahead with the roof,’ one swimmer said.

The Palmerston North Municipal Baths opened in 1917 and served the community for nearly fifty years. Four custodians and their families called it home and so did the Palmerston North Swimming Club. It was a place for local people to swim and socialise.

Val Mills regarded the Municipal Baths as her second home during the 1960s and believed the story of this local landmark should be recorded before it was forgotten. Her thorough account tells how the baths served the local community, from the perspectives of the swimming public and the Council making the decisions.

Now, one hundred years since opening, it is time for the story to be told.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Val Mills grew up in Palmerston North, swimming for the Palmerston North Amateur Swimming Club and the Manawatu Swimming Centre in the 1960s. She and her husband returned to live in the city in 2004 and she started writing short fiction and memoir.

Val has one previous publication, West End the Best End, School memories from the 1950s, published in 2012.

TO PLACE AN ORDER:

Price: NZ$25 plus $3 postage within New Zealand, $5 internationally. PayPal accepted for international orders (valmills@gmail.com)

- sorry, no credit card facilities.

Orders to: Val Mills, P.O. Box 1237, Palmerston North 4440, New Zealand, or downatthebaths@gmail.com including postal details.

For bank deposit please e-mail for details.