Explorers: j3bu, anclove

Opening in 1857 as “Leeds Reformatory for Boys” but later becoming “Eastmoor Approved School”. Originally when it was operating as “Leeds Reformatory for Boys” a child under 14 would be sent here for ‘crimes’ such as:

• Begging
• Wandering
• Consorting with thieves
• Prostitution

However when it began operating as “Eastmoor Approved School” and later “”Eastmoor Secure Unit” it began to house criminals of a more devious nature including Jon Venables (One of Jamie Bulger’s killers)

After it was closed as a childrens home it was used as a university campus by the University of Leeds up until 2003 when a new campus was opening.

Buildings included a swimming pool, dentists, church (later used as a gym), laundry and of course staff housing.

Further Reading:

No further reading.

Explorers: j3bu, Misterjk, Ric

Harpurhey Baths was built in 1909 and closed in 2001 was designed by Henry Price and despite becoming a Grade II listed building in 1994 it has been allowed to decayed and is currently being demolished.

Further Reading:
No further reading.

Explorers: j3bu, Thompski, Bigjobs, Smileysal, Stoka, Syntax, L_Glass, Andyj23uk, AndyM, Dcg, Ric, Over, Gimbulate, Gibbo, Subterfuge, MisterBarryGibb, ThenewMendoza, SparkUK

Opening in 1906 Victoria Baths is now a Grade II listed building. It housed many facilities. There was a female swimming pool, a male swimming pool and a premium “1st Class” male swimming pool. Water was heated and pumped into the 1st Class male swimming pool, this same water was then reheated and pumped into the male pool, the same water was then reheated and pumped into the female pool. The women were essentially swimming in 3rd hand recycled water. This was so disgusting that the pool actually held discount days for the female bathers when the water was particularly murky in order to keep numbers up. For 86 years this was the case. Other facilities included Turkish baths, the ability to do laundry and in 1954 the first aeratone in England (a primative form of the first jacuzzi) was installed.

This made Victoria Baths not only an important part of Manchester leisure life but also social life including the main pool being covered over and dances being held on it.

In 1993 the baths were officially closed by Manchester City Council and they began to decay. The Friends of Victoria baths was formed in order to attempt to save the baths and thanks to the BBC’s Restoration programme and lottery funding it is now in the process of being restored to its former glory. Because of this many photographers, films and tv programmes have used areas of the baths and the surrounding building.

Further Reading:

Official Website

Wikipedia.org

BBC’s Restoration

Explorers: j3bu

Opening on the 28th May 1994 as “the tallest, fastest and steepest” roller coaster in the world it lost this title in 1996 however it remained the fastest roller coaster in Europe until 2001.

At a whopping 213ft (65 metres) high and a drop of 205 (62 metres) and of steel construction painted red (tracks) and blue (supports) it is an impressive sight to behold.

This explore, due to being in a theme park was a task to plan. Once inside I was spotted by pedestrians outside however I stayed completely still and they were convinced I was a plastic model!

Further Reading:

Wikipedia.org

Blackpool Pleasure Beach