RETRO GALLERY: Doncaster's St James' Baths in its heyday

By The Newsroom
Published 17th Jul 2017, 16:41 GMT
Updated 18th Jul 2017, 08:53 GMT

This is how generations of Doncaster swimmers will remember the town's St James' baths - before its closure and descent into ruin.

We revealed that the once popular Waterdale leisure centre, which dates from 1932, is now a crumbling, debris strewn wreck after it was closed due to structural problems four years ago.

St James' Baths in its heyday.placeholder image
St James' Baths in its heyday.
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PICTURES: Frozen in time - eerie glimpse inside Doncaster's abandoned St James' ...

The building is a Grade II listed structure after late community campaigner Ray Nortrop secured its survival because it housed one of the country's few remaining original Turkish Baths in the basement.

The Turkish Baths were popular with men and women.placeholder image
The Turkish Baths were popular with men and women.
The hall shortly after is 1932 opening.placeholder image
The hall shortly after is 1932 opening.
The baths once famously played host to a concert by The Beatles on February 20, 1963.placeholder image
The baths once famously played host to a concert by The Beatles on February 20, 1963.
The baths were the first victim of structural problems at the Waterdale building before the whole site was closed.placeholder image
The baths were the first victim of structural problems at the Waterdale building before the whole site was closed.
The Turkish Baths were one of only a few originals remaining in Britain.placeholder image
The Turkish Baths were one of only a few originals remaining in Britain.
The original drinking fountain in the Turkish Baths suite.placeholder image
The original drinking fountain in the Turkish Baths suite.
Related topics:DoncasterGrade II
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