Hidden Henley

My picture this week was challenging to capture from across the opposite side of the river to show what remains of the concrete plinth for the diving springboard at the site of the former Henley Swimming Baths. It is now simply a small ridge of concrete with stud bolts protruding. The baths were on this site, now Henley Rowing Club, from 1934 until the late 1970’s. During this era it was reserved for Ladies-only during the weekdays between 11am and 1pm. There must be stories from back then that those reading this would like to share.

This is the last evidence (centre of my photo) of our town’s curious public facility which was simply a cordoned-off part of the river. The old decorative entrance was distinctive and was on view in the River and Rowing Museum. These fine arched gates and the changing room buildings lay empty and abandoned for some time before the rowing club took over and during this time I took some photos which I’ll post after this feature.

Traditionally it was referred to as Solomon’s Hatch, although I have never been able to find out why. I swam there myself back in the 1950’s and seem to not have been adversely affected by what might be the equivalent of wild swimming today. Go back just 10 years and there were plenty of people swimming in the Thames but with recent worrying water quality reports such an activity is now extremely rare.