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Droitwich Spa brine baths: Campaign to reopen 'unique' facility | Droitwich Spa brine baths: Campaign to reopen 'unique' facility |
(6 months later) | |
By Julia Leonard BBC News, Droitwich | By Julia Leonard BBC News, Droitwich |
A man known as the town's 'salt king' created the first spa in a Worcestershire town in the late 19th Century. | A man known as the town's 'salt king' created the first spa in a Worcestershire town in the late 19th Century. |
More than 100 years later, campaigners hope to reopen the brine baths in Droitwich Spa. | More than 100 years later, campaigners hope to reopen the brine baths in Droitwich Spa. |
The baths, owned by the private BMI Droitwich Spa Hospital, have been closed for three years due to problems with the upkeep of the building. | The baths, owned by the private BMI Droitwich Spa Hospital, have been closed for three years due to problems with the upkeep of the building. |
William Moy, who chairs Save Our Brine Baths (Sobbs) and has lived in Droitwich for 41 years, said: "The paint's coming off the wall, the pool needs re-tiling and maybe a new handrail and pipe work. | William Moy, who chairs Save Our Brine Baths (Sobbs) and has lived in Droitwich for 41 years, said: "The paint's coming off the wall, the pool needs re-tiling and maybe a new handrail and pipe work. |
"But it's not something that can't be done, we estimate we would need £1.5m to refurbish them." | "But it's not something that can't be done, we estimate we would need £1.5m to refurbish them." |
'Missed opportunity' | 'Missed opportunity' |
The team of 40 Sobbs campaigners also worked to reopen the Droitwich lido, something of which Mr Moy is proud. | The team of 40 Sobbs campaigners also worked to reopen the Droitwich lido, something of which Mr Moy is proud. |
He said: "One way or another the group is going to get a brine facility back in Droitwich because they go back hundreds of years. | He said: "One way or another the group is going to get a brine facility back in Droitwich because they go back hundreds of years. |
"People who visit us still think they're running and I don't know anyone who lives here who doesn't want them reopened." | "People who visit us still think they're running and I don't know anyone who lives here who doesn't want them reopened." |
The first baths opened in the 1830s, taking advantage of the natural brine springs that have been used in the town since Roman times. | The first baths opened in the 1830s, taking advantage of the natural brine springs that have been used in the town since Roman times. |
With the backing of the local salt 'magnate', John Corbett, the town became the only salt-water spa-town in Britain. | With the backing of the local salt 'magnate', John Corbett, the town became the only salt-water spa-town in Britain. |
Mr Corbett created the first spa, St Andrew's Brine Baths, in 1887 as part of the Raven Hotel. | Mr Corbett created the first spa, St Andrew's Brine Baths, in 1887 as part of the Raven Hotel. |
Sarah Davies, of the Droitwich Spa heritage centre, said: "The water in the baths are as dense as the Dead Sea. Because of where Droitwich sits - we're the lowest point of the Salwarpe Valley - we're low enough for the saltwater to spring to the surface. | |
"When the Romans discovered the town, they built the salt routes stretching along the roads because of salt's worth as a commodity. | "When the Romans discovered the town, they built the salt routes stretching along the roads because of salt's worth as a commodity. |
"But it wasn't until the 19th Century that we became a so-called spa town." | "But it wasn't until the 19th Century that we became a so-called spa town." |
Medicinal and fashionable | Medicinal and fashionable |
Mrs Davis said the baths became famous for their medicinal purposes and people used to travel from all over the UK to use them. | Mrs Davis said the baths became famous for their medicinal purposes and people used to travel from all over the UK to use them. |
She said: "It was mainly for things like skin complaints, pre and post operative treatment, easing arthritis and also for sheer relaxation. | She said: "It was mainly for things like skin complaints, pre and post operative treatment, easing arthritis and also for sheer relaxation. |
"But then people started coming because it was fashionable, right up to World War II before they eventually closed." | "But then people started coming because it was fashionable, right up to World War II before they eventually closed." |
They were reopened again in 1985 as part of the hospital but closed in September 2009 for health and safety reasons. | They were reopened again in 1985 as part of the hospital but closed in September 2009 for health and safety reasons. |
Mrs Davis said: "Every day people come into the heritage centre asking where they are or when they will reopen but we simply can't say if or when they will." | Mrs Davis said: "Every day people come into the heritage centre asking where they are or when they will reopen but we simply can't say if or when they will." |
A spokesman from the BMI hospital in Droitwich said: "We are aware of the importance of the brine baths to the people of the town. | A spokesman from the BMI hospital in Droitwich said: "We are aware of the importance of the brine baths to the people of the town. |
"We're working with the local authority, the community and any potential future investors to try to secure the future of the brine baths." | "We're working with the local authority, the community and any potential future investors to try to secure the future of the brine baths." |
A meeting on Friday between hospital staff, Wychavon District Council and members of Sobbs is taking place to discuss the baths' future. | A meeting on Friday between hospital staff, Wychavon District Council and members of Sobbs is taking place to discuss the baths' future. |
A consultation by the council in 2010 showed public support for reopening the facility. | A consultation by the council in 2010 showed public support for reopening the facility. |
Phil Merrick from the council describes the absence of the baths as a "missed opportunity". | Phil Merrick from the council describes the absence of the baths as a "missed opportunity". |
He said: "It's a big part of the town's heritage and something that makes us unique which is hard to achieve in this day and age. | He said: "It's a big part of the town's heritage and something that makes us unique which is hard to achieve in this day and age. |
"It's always good to find something that distinguishes a town and the brine baths do just that." | "It's always good to find something that distinguishes a town and the brine baths do just that." |
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