The history of the Scarborough Spa pump rooms
The Spa was particularly important to Scarborough as it helped establish the town as the first ever seaside holiday resort. Brighton has long falsely claimed this title since the Prince Regent visited. It was a Mrs Farrer who first discovered that the Spa waters stained the rocks a reddish brown colour. In 1667 Doctor Whittie published "Scarborough Spa" which publicised the waters healthy qualities. Since then Scarborough has attracted visitors to enjoy the healthy waters.
In 1691 a charge of 1/- was introduced per gallon for anyone selling or taking away the Spa Waters.
The Spa area was owned by the Corporation and a cistern was built in 1698. The first Governor of the Spa was the celebrated Dicky Dickinson whose personality helped attract visitors. He was remarkably deformed and he was mocked by the gentlemen customers. He was capable of bitingly witty comments. His fame spread nationwide and he was mentioned in poems. His wealth grew as his patrons rewarded him generously. The former shoeshiner became richer than some of his former clients. His house was one of the three white washed houses at the base of the cliff - it became known as 'Dickies House'.
On wednesday 28th December 1737 rumblings were heard in the cellar of the Spa House. These continued for several days until the whole cliff began to subside. The Spa House was destroyed by the landslip. The process took most of that day.
In 1739 the Spa was rebuilt. It was publicised by Scarboroughs first Guide made by James Schofield the Scarborough author and bookseller.
By the 1830's the resort was truly fashionable. An injection of private initiative helped build up the Spa when a company was formed to develop the Spa in 1826. The Spa bridge helped to improve access to the Spa waters.
In 1875 a bandstand was built. The wells were moved underground and became known as pump rooms(despite the fact that they never used pumps). The waters now were protected from the east coast rain.
The building of the bandstand in 1875 helped to establish the long tradition of music at the Spa. Bands played in the two bandstands(one above the pump room). Bands gained loyal followings. Herr Meyer Lutz played for the last thirty years of the 19th century. Alec MacLean played between 1912 and 1935. Kneale Kelley played between 1936 and 1950 except for the wartime. Max Jaffa began a 30 year run in the 1960's. In 1877 the main Pavilion was gutted by fire and this provided the opportunity to restore and extend it. In 1879 the first concert was held in the new Grand hall. In 1880 it was officially opened with by the Lord Mayor of London. Civic dignitaries attended the ceremony and the representatives oif the press were carried in three carriages. In the 1920's a ballroom was added.
In 1909 the pump room was closed for 16 years. In 1926 it was reopened as a tourist attraction with a bar, flower baskets and a table.
In 1932 the bandstand was demolished and the pump rooms blocked off. They were replaced by a concrete cubicle in what was supposed to be very fashionable and 'continental'. But many saw this as an ugly concrete monstrosity. But the drinking of Spa waters still florished with 500 drinks sold a day. In 1937 the drinks were dispensed by a healthy looking brunette in a white and grey nurses outfit. But the drinks were sold with fruit juice to mask the disgusting taste of the waters.
The Spa was declared out of bounds during the war and it was used for coastal defence. The pump room became forgotten. The Cube remained in place long after World War Two.
In 1959 some workmen were sent down into the pump rooms from the council. They took out 3 tons of sand from the pump room. A circular room was discovered 30 feet in diamater. There were two pumps in their fireplace type surrounds. The Spa waters were again commercialised when Clarkes Aerated water and bottling company Ltd of Scarborough sold Spa waters in bottles. They cost 1/- for a quarter pint bottle and 2/- for a one and a quarter pint bottle. The bottles were sold to local hotels. The venture did not last long.
The Town council has continually failed to develop the Spa waters in recent decades. The old pump rooms remain buried. In 1980 the council decisively told the Leisure and Amenities committee that they did not intend three and a half centuries to to be buried under tons of concrete. But this was only due to a campaign by Sir Meredith Whitaker to stop this act of sabotage. But they did cover over the pump room and a roundabout was built on top of it.
In May 1995 the drinking fountain was restored. This sits neatly on the promenade wall half way down the steps to the sands. This fountain still exists now but the brass plate, the lions head which acted as a spout and even the comemorative plaque were stolen.
Perhaps the biggest problem with the Spa waters is their wretched taste. Its not like some of these modern bottled waters. The waters have been condemned by council experts. Going back to the nineteenth century the waters, particularly the North well, were felt to be aperient. Thats just a posh way of saying that they were a laxative. Today that would raise the eyebrow of council hygiene inspectors!
But since the conference trade took off in the 1950's the councils has always placed this first. The desperate need to attract the Amalgamated Society of Butchers Bakers and Candlestickmakers! These conferences are like gold to the town. The trade is massive with many Unions and organisations taking advantage of generous expenses in Scarboroughs best hotels.
By 2010 the sea walls will be reinforced and extended outwards. This will maybe provide the opportunity to develop the Spa waters. One of the wells still lies underneath the roundabout. The main problem has always been that the lucrative Spa Conference complex needs access by car and the only real place to do this is in front of the Spa buildings which is where the pump rooms are. So for many years there has been some willingness to act yet practical problems have got in the way.
Sources
- Scarborough Evening News 26-2-1959
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