Reedswood Park - Open Air Pool Traditional Cache
BlueWKD: This has been out there a while now. Time to open up the area.
Reedswood Park - Open Air Pool
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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Reedswood Park – Open Air Swimming Baths
Reedswood Park (formally Reeds’ Wood), the site of extensive mining, was given to the people of Walsall by the Earl of Bradford in 1882. Work began to transform this wasteland into a public recreation area in 1884.
In 1888 plans were drawn up for the construction of an open-air swimming bath and dressing shed.
Two separate pools were built; a small round paddling pool and a much larger square swimming pool. Above the pool the grass banks were terraced and on a hot day they were laden with sunbathers. All that appears to remain on the site are several sets of concrete sets that lead down from the terraces to the pools below.
The pool proved to be 'exceedingly popular' and improvements were carried out in 1931 which, according to one observer, transformed it into 'a picture of loveliness'. The tumble-down corrugated-iron dressing boxes were replaced by timber cubicles, a diving board was added and the surrounding bank was planted with shrubs and bright green turf on which, it was said, '……bathers can loll at their ease and take a sun bath as comfortably as their rich cousins on the Riviera' (Walsall Observer, 23 May 1931).
Dennis Hale of Walsall's premier swimming family, and Great British Masters swimming champion (at the age of 80) used to train at Reedswood baths.
The baths were only open through the summer months and toward the end of their life were plagued by vandals and late night drunken swimmers. Not surprisingly the pools were eventually closed in the late 70’s.
I am attempting to get pictures of the pools in use. If you have any and would like to share them please include them along with your stories in the log.
The cache, a small lock and lock box is placed very close to the site of the former baths.
As you approach the cache location, note the concrete and brick steps and handrail that lead down from the different terrace levels. This appears to be the only remaining evidence of the pools location. The pools were at the lowest level, now overgrown with trees.
Cache placed with the kind permission of Greenspace Services, Walsall Council.
Cache replaced Nov 7th 2010 - slight alteration to position.
Congratulations to:
1st to find - the one true buzzard
2nd to find - dinkydonk
3rd to find - bikeboyroy.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Bccbfvgr gbc fgrc
Treasures
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