by John Dinning

Compiled by J. Dinning, from the Recorded Minutes of the Management Committee

In the early 1900’s the majority of houses did not have bathrooms or running hot water and many working class homes were fortunate to have one cold-water tap in the kitchen.

Taking a bath was normally a weekly event for the family taken in a “tin” bath in front of the kitchen fire. Water was heated in pans and kettles on the fire or in some cases in a boiler built into the kitchen range.

Miners or “pitmen” as they were known had a very dirty job and a daily bath was necessary causing much work and disruption to the household.

On 10th April 1929 at a meeting in the Mainsforth Colliery Offices a Committee, made up of representatives from mine owners, Dorman Long & Co. and the various trades unions was given the authority to run and financially manage the newly built pithead baths.

The opening ceremony and official handing over to the Management Committee was performed on Saturday 6th July 1929 at 12.30 p.m. and, following an inspection by Lord Chelmsford and members of the District Committee the baths were open to the general public for inspection later in the day and on the following day, before being put into use on Monday 8th July 1929.

Every person at the colliery had, as a condition of employment, to contribute a fixed weekly sum for the maintenance of the baths regardless of whether the individual used the facility or not. The baths had a full complement of lockers so that every employee could use them.

A bank account was opened in the name of the Baths Committee with the Co-operative Wholesale Bank. The estimated cost for the upkeep of the baths was �1800.00 per annum and from this it was agreed that a weekly deduction from the workmen’s wages for the baths maintenance be fixed at three old pence (just over one current penny) per person. As a point of interest the bank interest rate for deposit accounts in 1930 was 4�%, much the same as today!

The baths were supervised by a working superintendent Mr. T. W. Vietch of Cockrane Terrace who was employed by the Management Committee at a salary of �3/10/0d per week (�3.50). In addition three adult attendants, W. Gibbons of Gladstone Terrace, J. J. Hall of Kitchener Terrace and P. Chapman of Arthur Terrace were employed at a wage of eight shillings per eight-hour working day (40p), and three youths, R. Wilson of Cochrane Terrace, E. Steele of Osbourne Terrace and J. Joyce of Carlton Street, all paid at the County scale of wage for their age. All attendants were provided with white linen coats, Wellington boots and overalls.

The water for the baths was supplied by Durham County Water Board at a quarterly rent of �10.00 for 102,300 gallons plus meter rent of eight shillings (40p) per quarter. Towels were sold on the premises at 1/5d each (7p) and two varieties of soap, primrose pale and carbolic at 2d per bar (less than 1p).

The baths were open from 5.00 a.m. to 12 midnight every day, being staffed by three attendants with one in charge at a weekly rate of �2/10/-, (no house coal allowance included) and two youths aged 16 and 19 years. At a meeting on 8th June 1929 H. Gibbons was appointed attendant in charge and W. Woodward of Church Street and J. J. Redden of Mainsforth Back Row were appointed assistant attendants.

Mine workers who were absent on sick leave were allowed to use the baths free of any payment whilst on sick leave and initially no person other than employees were allowed to use the baths. Later, in July 1931, the Committee opened the baths on Saturday mornings to aged miners and, if supervised by their fathers, colliery employees’ children.

In January 1932 a sun ray lamp system was installed in the baths first aid room at a cost of �124/4/- (�124.20). Sun ray treatment was offered on alternate days Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays one week and Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays the following week. Local doctors were invited to inspect the installation and to co-operate with the Management Committee recommending suitable cases for treatment particularly with the radiant heat apparatus. The doctors were required to give written instructions as to the treatment recommended. Usually each person received a three-minute exposure, the distance from the lamps being decreased by one inch each session. A full course would normally extent over a period of six weeks. In March 1937 the use of the sun ray treatment was extended to children in the neighbourhood requiring treatment and recommended by Dr. Williamson or her assistants. The charge agreed for this service was one old penny per head.

The canteen which had been in service since shortly after the opening of the baths had not been very profitable and at a meeting on 3rd March 1934 it was agreed to close the canteen and the attendants were given notice of termination of their employment on 31st March. However, on 3rd October 1934 after a full discussion of the canteen, the Management Committee agreed that offers be invited for the renting of the premises subject to suitable conditions as to times of opening, goods to be sold and the usual tenants undertakings. One offer was received from J. W. Emerson, Chapel Row, Ferryhill Station, of four shillings and six pence per week. This was accepted and the tenancy commenced on 1st January 1935. An additional charge of five shillings per week to cover lighting, water and heating was written into the agreement.

In December 1935 the assistant attendants’ wages were increased from 6/6�d per day to 7/6d per day (37�p), and in May 1938 superintendents’ salary increased to �4/10/- per week (�4.50) but still no allowance for house rent or coal.

At the onset of war, September 1939, the sun ray lamp facility was closed; also soap supplies were restricted to two tablets per person per week.

In October 1939 at the request of the Commanding officer at the Military camp at Chilton soldiers were allowed to use the baths at a change of two pence per person per bath. A similar request from the Commandant at Windlestone Hall POW Camp for German soldiers was refused until further advice had been sought from the Welfare Committee and the Insurers.

Digitised by George Muncaster