This is great news for those of us who keenly miss our much-loved York Hall
Turkish
Baths.

I hope that all members of this group and in particular the committee
responsible for the
refurbishment of York Hall will visit Keiran's site and take note: the photos
here portray
superbly the kind of camaraderie and community that used to be typical of a
session at the
York Hall baths.

I attended the last meeting of the York Hall User's group earlier this year, in
which the
plans for the baths were laid before us. i don't think many users realise how
fundamental
the changes will be.

The stated intention is to create a 'five-star' facility in order to bring in a
'new clientel'.
There will be four 'treatment rooms' in which users PAY to receive treatments
including
'aromatherapy' from trained practitioners. We were told that the ancient art of
'schmeissing' - so much a part of the tradition and culture of the East End and
of York Hall
- would no longer be allowed because of Health and Safety regulations (though
these were
not specified). There were only about seven of us users present to raise our
objections to
this, and we did. Pat turned in a spirited defense and potted-history of the old
traditions,
much to the amusement of the committee.

I came away from the meeting feeling a sense of loss because it seemed to me
that the
York Hall we knew had finally been taken away from us. It occurred to me that if
even a
quarter of those who used the baths in any week had been present at the meeting
it would
have gone very differently. Then the sheer diversity of those who made the baths
what
they were would have been evident. I feel that, had the regular users known
about the
meeting and what they were losing, it would have been packed.

I am sure I am right in saying that what we regular users wanted was not a
gleaming 5-
star spa such as you might find in a luxury hotel. We wanted OUR baths to be
properly
cleaned and maintained and upgraded but otherwise to be left as they were and as
they
had been for so long.

it looks as if the baths in Canning Town that Keiran has been good enough to
highlight for
us will become the new home for those of who loved York Hall.

David





--- In Yorkhall@..., "Kieran" <kieran1000@y...> wrote:
>
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/docklands-turkish-baths/
>
> In the past people in England and other countries didn't have bathing
> facilities in their own home and would go to the Turkish bath. Today
> the Turkish bath is a wonderfully relaxing and invigorating
> experience with many wonderful treatments available, and many health-
> giving benefits. There are still a few traditional turkish baths
> remaining in the UK, I attend the Docklands Baths in East London
> every sunday and have taken the photographs in the group photo album
> to promote this facility, which is a non-profit making charitable
> trust.
> The baths has a multicultural following, with many Jewish, Turkish,
> Russian and Eastern European customers, in whose countries
> the 'Banya' or 'Hammam' is also a tradition. Among the many excellent
> treatments available are soap brushing, massage, and the Russian
> venik treatment, all covered in the £10 admission charge. Please
> visit the group for more information. If you have any queries I would
> be happy to answer them, please join the group and post a message on
> the discussion forum or contact me directly.
> I will be at the baths all day this Sunday 13th Aug from 10am, hope
> to see you there!
>
> Regards
> Kieran
>
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/docklands-turkish-baths/
>
> Docklands Turkish Steam Baths Ltd, 30a Stephenson St, Canning Town,
> London E16 4SA
> Tel 0207 4731454
> Located close to the blackwall tunnel and 5 mins walking distance of
> Canning town /DLR station
> Please see a map and directions in the group photo gallery
>