Old Bathing Pond Photos: by Maggie T

[down south]

Maggie has been out taking some photos in this lovely weather we've been having, and she thought you'd like to see these ones from around the old Bathing Pond. Only a mobile phone camera, but they're obviously making ones that get very good results these days; as we've also been seeing in recent ones contributed by others.

This first one, with Arran as a backdrop, has the outline of one of the old pools showing up very clearly.



This second one is a more general view of the area round the bathing pond, with a lovely view behind across the bay to South Crescent. If you look very closely on the right you can see some of the old arc of concrete steps that there were round that part of the pool area .



There's another interest here; just hidden beyond that, with their tripods and other equipment just barely visible ( and maybe not in this version of the photo ), are a film crew Maggie came across working on the beach, shooting a "modern ghost story ". No photos of them permitted, but she learned a bit about what they were doing which I'll leave to her to tell.

Susan

[morag]

Our wee area is quite special, isn't it?

[Meg]

Wonder if it is anything to do with the James Nesbitt filming that is mentioned in another post. Whilst driving home from work today (I am in a village called Pinwherry which is mid way between Girvan and Outer Mongolia) and the only radio you can get down there is Radio BBC Ulster on Medium Wave. They had James on interview talking about Port Rush and Colraine and he was asked by the interviewer if he was going to have round of golf now - and James N said that he was off to Ayrshire - so I take it they are still filming in Ardrossan.

Meg

[Penny Tray]

Maggie,

Sight of the yachting pond in your second photo brought back geat memories of watching enthusiasts such as shown in the following photo. They delayed my return home from the Bathing Pool on many an evening.

http://www.ayrshireroots.com/Towns/Salt ... 20Club.jpg

[meekan]

Penny,
that was the days before radio controlled model boats, An old neighbour of mine when, I was a boy, was an enthusiast he won quite a few competions. Mr Crawford was his name.

[maggie T]

Thanks Susan,and Pt.
I am just back in,been down early this morning,i spoke to one of the Directors,he said its a very low budget Feature
Film.called Laid Off(details in A/S).might not make the big screen,take about a year from now,if not it would be out on DVD,He was telling me about one that will be on BBC1.The Deep,with James Nisbet,Filmed in Dumbarton.and some scenes,think it was near the old shell in Ardrossan.It was very interesting ,he was telling me all the different places they had been to,and he was also explaining about who is in charge of what on the set.e t c. Not sure if he said THE DEEP.is on next week.BBC1.
I must thank Susan for putting the photos on for me.Kind Regards MaggieT.

[down south]

I've realised I have an old postcard of that part of the Bathing Pool area that hasn't yet been seen on this site, showing it in its heyday around the 1960s; a good view of the steps I mentioned, and youngsters paddling small boats in the pond. Bit of a sad contrast to compare that with the deserted scene now.

Susan

[mike mccann]

Sign ot the times !

[elvis1913]

I've realised I have an old postcard of that part of the Bathing Pool area that hasn't yet been seen on this site, showing it in its heyday around the 1960s; a good view of the steps I mentioned, and youngsters paddling small boats in the pond. Bit of a sad contrast to compare that with the deserted scene now.

phpdIaTIjAM.jpg

Susan

Just as I remember it Susan, why why why would they take away something so great and put that dismal scene in it's place. Why would'nt the bathing pool still work? it was such a fabulous attraction for the tourists not to mention the towns folk I can't figure it out, I guess there is a big fancy explanation for it. I just love the past too much. Thank you Susan for sharing that postcard.

[morag]

I'm with you, Elvis, if it ain't broken don't fix it!
We have lovely beaches. I think the local councils over the years have a lot to answer for, small minds, small ideas, let's not get too big for our boots..etc. Let's knock down the really nice old buildings with character and put up, instead, Pete Seeger, feel free to step in here, 'Little boxes'

[down south]

As I understand it the bathing pool was abandoned in the early seventies, when the new indoor pool was opened at Auchenharvie. The council thought the locals would be keener to go there, and there weren't so many summer visitors by then, so they decided not to spend the money to keep the old pool going. But it meant Saltcoats lost one of the main things that gave it its distinctive seaside flavour.

Susan

[maggie]

thank's for the photo's I agree with
Josephine what a waste