More originality...

You can never have enough original features in a listed building. Just when we thought everything was settled, we realised that we had an opportunity to both restore another aspect of the building’s history and give the auditorium a fresh look. It’s long been known that the balconies had balustrades running along most of their length. They never actually went away; they have been visible to anyone working on the balconies as long as anyone can remember. However, they have been obscured from the audience’s view by the red wallpapered panels that ran along the balconies and which held the house lights.

Two of these panels had to be removed for wiring purposes and the balustrades looked so impressive that a decision has been made to reinstate them. They will be cleaned and painted a slightly brighter colour and black panels placed behind them both to enhance their appearance and obscure the equipment stored on the balconies. Incidentally, these balconies were built as viewing platforms from which to watch the swimmers below, and underneath were a series of individual changing cubicles (but we can’t really reinstate those).

The pool storage area is almost completely fireboarded and the new stairs installed allowing access from the rear corridor, which now just needs plastering, painting and doors attached to be finished. The recesses formed around the columns certainly give the corridor a better appearance, not to mention providing a passing place for anyone encountering John Shirley zooming through to the bar! And is that one of the ghosts, peering down into the pool and caught on camera????