A listed “time capsule” building which offers an insight into Tyneside life more than a century ago has been placed on a national endangered Top Ten list.

The Gibson Street baths in Newcastle was opened in 1907. It included a swimming pool and, at a time when many homes lacked the provisions taken for granted today, it also provided individual slipper baths and laundry facilities.

Men and women entered through separate doors. The men’s entrance hall features four remarkable panels – two signed by the celebrated Dorset tile-makers Carter & Co depicting mermaids, and two others showing a water polo match and a diver in striped swimwear.

These have been praised by architectural historian Lynn Pearson as without parallel, even in Britain’s grandest historic baths. A fifth panel lists the 15 members of the Baths & Wash Houses Committee, as well as the architect and builders, beneath Newcastle’s coat of arms.

But the building has been disused and deteriorating for the last nine years.

REVIEW: Mother Courage and her Children, Horden, County Durham

This has prompted the Victorian Society to include the baths in its 2025 Top Ten league of endangered buildings.

Society president Griff Rhys Jones said: “I have lost count of the number of public bath houses that we see in decline, but people truly love these local amenities.”

The Victorian Society is urging Newcastle City Council to seek a sensitive new use for the building. Given the absence of a buyer, the Society recommends renewed collaboration with the community – offering support and extended time to develop a viable reuse proposal that preserves this valuable part of the city’s social and architectural heritage.

They issued a fundraising appeal to “find a good new integrated use for what was once a prime example of public concern and welfare and an illustration of Victorian-Edwardian values at their best.”

The rapid growth of towns and cities in the 19^th and early 20^th centuries left little provision for public hygiene. With disease widespread, the 1846 Public Baths and Wash-houses Act empowered local authorities to build public bathing facilities, funded via the Poor Rate.

In Newcastle, an 1845 report highlighted how working-class people were left without suitable or private places to bathe.

Costing £28,000 the baths were lavishly fitted out, with stained glass windows and green glazed brick walls. There were 23 slipper baths, and a pool measuring 75ft x 28ft.

Designed by city surveyor F H Halford, it was the first baths in Newcastle to incorporate electricity and water filtration, allowing the water to be cleaned and circulated rather than the pool being filled at the start of the week and emptied at the end.

The city’s Alderman Holmes described it as “the most complete set of baths for their size in England”. The opening ceremony was marked by a performance from Olympic swimmer Arthur ‘Jack’ Jarvis.

The interior pool-hall featured an arched and plastered ceiling, plus amphitheatre seating on both sides, while inside the former men’s entrance, the original turnstile and ticket windows survive.

The building has been marketed by the city council but without success. The baths were closed in 1965 and the swimming pool was boarded over, with the main hall being used for badminton courts until 2016, when the council put the building up for sale.

Campaigners Save Gibson Street Baths for People not Developers succeeded in having the building listed as an Asset of Community Value, and explored the possibility of a business and funding plan for uses such as a social enterprise hotel, cafe, bar and community space.

But the project did not come to fruition and the group posted on its Facebook page: “There is no doubt that it is an amazing building worthy or regeneration and development and that as a long serving public building it would be wonderful to see it kept in the public domain.

“However renovation costs look likely to be in the region of £2.7-3 million and this was not an achievable sum.”

A Newcastle City Council spokesperson said: “Gibson Street Baths became vacant in 2016 after it ceased as a badminton club. As we lacked the significant funding required and the expertise to refurbish it, we put it on the market a year later.

“We received several bids, and a preferred bidder was chosen but unfortunately was unable to access the funds needed to bring it back into use. It is currently wind and watertight albeit in poor condition.

“We have had numerous discussions over the years to bring the property back into use particularly with the Tyne & Wear Building Preservation Trust however due to funding issues none of these have come to fruition yet.

“We recognise this is an historically important building and want to see it saved and brought back into use and so will look to market it again in the near future.”

Elise Cooper’s involvement began when her daughter, Sophia, joined the Sydney Northern Beaches Breakers at age 12. Her dedication and support towards her daughter’s water polo career inspired Elise to shift from the stands to the club rooms, volunteering her time behind the scenes.

Now in her third season as team manager, she continues to support the team out of her deep appreciation for the club and the sport.

“The ladies prior to me being manager had done such a great job, that I thought it was my turn to step up and be manager. This is my third season of being team manager and I really love it,” Elise said.

“There’s so many great people that I’ve met through the club that I’ve really become friends with,” she said.

The growth of the Australian Youth Water Polo Championships since its inception is a testament to the popularity and participation at a grassroots level. 

“The first year we were at nationals, it was a much smaller pool of teams and clubs playing,” Elise said.

“Now there’s a team from Pilbara, how amazing is that? Such a small community and they’ve got a water polo club here representing. And I think that is a testament to how amazing the sport is,” she said.

Stressing the importance of volunteers, Elise acknowledged the vital roles they play within the water polo community. She urged greater involvement to ensure the sport continues to grow, particularly in youth pathways.

“Clubs don’t exist without volunteers from the committee level, all the way through to tour managers and booking accommodation. The kids don’t get to play if it doesn’t exist, so I think it’s really important,” Elise said.

“You can do as much, or as little as your life and time allows. If you love water polo as much as I do, step in and give it a go,” she said.

The Bermuda Volleyball Association is sending teams to compete at the 2025 USA Volleyball Open National Championship in Denver this month.

A spokesperson said, “The Bermuda Volleyball Assocation is please to announce the two teams who will be competing in the 2025 USA Volleyball Open National Championship. The teams will compete in their respective competitive BB Divisions of the tournament from May 26 to 28, held this year in Denver, Colorado. The BVA will be streaming matches on their Facebook Page: “Bermuda Volleyball National Team”. Alternatively, people can watch via BallerTV.

Women’s Team: Devil’s Isle VC

• Kayley Hamilton [1]
• Kate Marcotte [2]
• Caitlin Bento [3]
• Demetria Hollis [4]
• Kayla Grant [6]
• Sharri Weldon [7]
• Anna Marcotte [8]
• Olivia Taylor [11]
• Amber Simons [24]

• Head Coach: Braedon Madeiros-Cooke
• Assistant Coaches: Kyle Hamilton and Stacey Madeiros Cooke

“Devil’s Isle VC, Bermuda’s Women’s National Volleyball Club, proudly announces its participation in the 2025 USA Volleyball Open National Championship. The team will compete in the competitive BB Division of the tournament, held this year in Denver, Colorado.

“The U.S. Open is a prestigious annual event that brings together elite adult volleyball teams from across the United States and around the world. Representing Bermuda, the Devil’s Isle VC squad will showcase its talent and determination on a national stage, competing against top-level clubs and athletes in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.”

“We’re incredibly proud of this group of athletes and all the hard work they’ve put in,” said Kyle Hamilton, Coach of Devil’s Isle VC. “This is a great opportunity to test ourselves against strong competition and represent Bermuda on the international volleyball scene.”

The spokesperson said, “The tournament will take place from May 24–29, 2025, and promises an exciting lineup of matches and a valuable development experience for all participants.

“Follow us on social media [@bdavolleyball] for live updates and results throughout the competition.

Ace Boyz VC

• Jake Roberts [1]
• Braedon Madeiros-Cooke [2]
• Tyler Siese [4]
• Connor Somerville [5]
• Dylan Somerville [6]
• Benjamin Barnett [7]
• Eron Woods [8]
• Tiago Morais Ferreira [9]
• Tristan Mullan [11]
• Brandon Sousa [13]

• Head Coach: Mike Smith
• Assistant Coaches: Juanita Blee, Chad Stoddard and Robert Saraiva

“The coaching staff are very excited about our upcoming tournament in Denver. The team we are bringing to Colorado is strong, and ready to compete. There are a few new faces this year, and they complement the rest of the team well. We have added depth on the court and the bench, and a bigger arsenal of tools to work with.

“After an incredible showing at the ECVA’s in October, we realized that we have the potential to be a very technically sound team and have spent this season tightening that up. We have focused a lot of time dialling in our ball control, blocking, and coverage on defence. We’ve also spent a considerable amount of time working with our Middle and Pin Hitters, on offensive transition, and strengthening our setter-hitter connection. We’re happy to report that the tedious work has paid off. With our passing percentage much higher, we are able to run a more well-rounded offence. The Middles are getting into the game more and our Pin Hitters are as effective as ever.

“I want to give a quick shout out to the entire Men’s National Team. They have all worked very hard to get us to where we are. Due to the nature of our practices, and really honing in on the technical part of the game, its taken a tremendous amount of discipline to stay present and dedicated. We believe their hard work will pay off and that will be proven in Denver.

“Finally, one last shout out to Olek Rymon-Lipinski. His dedication and hard work throughout the year have been inspiring for the entire team. Unfortunately, due to an ACL injury he can no longer travel with us. We all wish him a speedy recovery, and his presence in Denver will be missed.”

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(KMAland) — Regional sports news updates are posted throughout the day. Continue to refresh for all of the latest from regional schools listed below.

Iowa State 

-Men’s basketball to play home and home exhibitions with Northwestern: https://cyclones.com/news/2025/5/21/mens-basketball-iowa-state-to-face-northwestern-in-home-and-home-exhibition-games

Iowa

-Field hockey finalizes 2025 schedule: https://hawkeyesports.com/news/2025/5/21/hawkeyes-release-2025-schedule-fh

Northern Iowa 

-Qualifiers set for West Preliminary meet: https://unipanthers.com/news/2025/5/21/track-and-field-uni-track-and-field-qualifiers-set-for-ncaa-west-preliminary-meet

Creighton

-Izzy Ashburn hired as assistant volleyball coach: https://gocreighton.com/news/2025/5/21/ashburn-named-volleyball-assistant-coach

-Women’s soccer signs Jalen Chaney: https://gocreighton.com/news/2025/5/21/womens-soccer-womens-soccer-signs-jalen-chaney

Missouri

-Jason Gwyn joins softball coaching staff: https://mutigers.com/news/2025/5/21/softball-announces-addition-of-assistant-coach-jason-gwyn.aspx

Kansas City  

-Tory Lanham named Most Outstanding Performer: https://kcroos.com/news/2025/5/21/track-and-field-lanham-named-most-outstanding-performer-six-roos-earn-all-league-designations

Kansas 

-Men’s basketball hires Jacque Vaughn as assistant: https://kuathletics.com/news/2025/5/21/mens-basketball-kansas-great-jacque-vaughn-named-mens-basketball-assistant-coach.aspx

Kansas State

-Bowling Green transfer Marcus Johnson commits to Kansas State: https://x.com/TiptonEdits/status/1925235206010630603