Photo showing the dismantled terracotta windows at the east end of Pool 2 - 26th July 2005

Two weeks later - Photo showing the rebuilt terracotta windows at the east end of Pool 2 - 9th August 2005

The new stain glass being put into the terracotta windows at the east end of Pool 2. The are copies of the original Edwardian desing and replace the perspexsheets that were there for over 30 years

On the scaffolding of Pool 2 - 26th July 2005

Pool 1 with all the scaffolding removed - 9th August 2005

The filter for Pool 2 - this huge vessall is full of Leighton Buzzard sand. We've had to cut a hole in the side to remove the sand and any debri from Pool 2

Photo of the worker inside the filter for Pool 2 - taken through the round hole cut in the side of the filter

The worker in amongst the sand inside the Pool 2 filter

A new date has been set for the re-opening of Moseley Road baths - it's 7th October 2005. It was previously pencilled in for the 1st September 2005, however there have been delays in the re-construction of the terracotta windows in Pool 2

Chimney
Work is proceeding well in rebuilding the chimney. It had been dismantled to 10metres below its original height. It is being rebuilt with stainless steel tube inside it. The cast iron cap has had bought visible and invisible (discovered using ultrasonics) cracks repaired.

The steel cap will be put back on top of the chimney on the 5th September. Scaffolding around the chimney will then be dismantled.

Pool 1
All scaffolding has been removed and the pool cleaned out

Pool 2
The terracotta windows at each of the pool have been careful dismantled and new terracotta blocks made to replace crumbling blocks. The delay in the work has been caused by the cruciform shaped blocks crumbling during the dismantling - they had been expected to do this and no moulds had been of them previous to the dismantling. Moulds have now been made and the blocks are expected to arrive on the 18th August.

Glass will be put in the terracotta windows to replace the Perspex that has been in them for over 30 years. The windows at the east end of the pool are having stain glass windows put back in, as per the original design. The windows at the west end will have rippled toughened glass - this is in case local youths decide to throw missiles at the windows.

It is expected that all work and scaffolding will be removed from Pool 2 on the 23rd September. We have set aside 2 weeks to fill the pool and do any last minute hiccups.

Terracotta Domes
The domes have been re-pointed and the new steel structure inserted inside each dome. This will replace the rusted steel structure which caused many of the terracotta blocks to move.

Roof
Work is on going to repair as many leaks and missing gutterings/slates as possible

Electrics
All the buildings electrics are being checked for safety. Extra lights are being installed in Pool 2 to overcome some of the previous areas of poor lighting in here.

Swimming Pool Filter
The large filter for Pool 2 is nearly empty. It contained over a tonne of Leighton Buzzard sand (plus debri from the pool). It has had to removed by hand.

The filter will have any leaks welded up and the pipe work leading to pool 2 will be pressure tested to identify any leaks prior to the pool being re-filled. This will give us the opportunity to repair long running leaks in the system for Pool 2.

Future Restoration of Moseley Road Swimming Baths
Councillor Martin Mullaney had a meeting with officers from the Heritage Lottery Fund on 24th June 2005. The objective of the meeting was to discuss possible HLF funding for restoration work on Moseley Road baths. In particular, clarification on whether or not HLF would insist that one of the two pools should be closed down and converted into 'community use'.

The conclusion of the meeting was very positive and they do NOT insist that one of the pools should be closed. In fact, they would like both pools to be retained as swimming pools.

The other information from this meeting can be summarized as follows:
· For any HLF funding they would insist on a full structural survey of the building by a Conservation Architect. This survey would include a full costing of restoration work for the entire building. The restoration would involve returning the building to its original use.

· The HLF would also require a business plan for the building - this would include an assurance from the Council that they would keep the building running as a swimming baths. If the Council could show that few people would use the building as a swimming baths then, only then, would they consider looking at alternative uses for the swimming pools.

· As part of the business plan, the HLF would like evidence of how we would improve public appreciation of the heritage of the building - this could involve information displays or even themed open days. HLF assume that the local community will use the baths. However if we require vast sums of money, then we will have to show how people from a much wider geographical area will appreciate this building.

· HLF would prefer that any restoration is done in phases. This is because HLF finances are tight and they would rather spread them over several projects instead of one. So for example, they would be interested in initially financing getting Pool 1 back into use.

· The money from the Winter works could be used as match funding. For projects up to £1million, they would fund up to 90%, but prefer local authorities to pay a much larger proportion than just 10%. A 50% funding would be considered over-the-top.

Work is now progressing on setting up the required Conservation Survey of Moseley Road baths