Manchester’s Victoria Baths closed in 1993, since when it has become an events venue while a team of enthusiastic volunteers raise funds for its restoration.
On Saturday we travelled to the Baths to visit the Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair, where over 200 makers gathered to present and sell their works. And of course we also had an opportunity to view the building itself.
The building is Edwardian and features beautiful glazed tiles, mosaic floors and stained glass. There are three large pools, now used as the main event spaces, as well as the spectators’ gallery and former Turkish baths. The empty pools gently slope from the shallow end to the deep end which gives exhibitors and visitors alike an interesting angle.
Even the changing cubicles were used as (tiny) exhibition spaces, set aside for students from local university in various creative arts courses.
The craft fair itself was a real spectacle of jewellers, woodworkers, furniture makers as well as people making textiles, ceramics and lots more. We spent about three hours wandering round and even bought a few items. A great day spent in a piece of local history.