Eye On Manchester blog by Aidan O’Rourke Tutor Photographer

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An event was held at Victoria Baths Manchester to celebrate the recently completed phase 1 of the restoration of the building. There were many VIP guests. I was asked to take photos at the event. Here is a small selection of the images I captured.

Guests arrived from around 2.30pm and were shown around the building by Victoria Baths volunteers. There was an excellent selection of canapes and drinks, including a cocktail especially concocted for the Victoria Baths. DJ and author Dave Haslam skilfully provided music to accompany the proceedings.

Around 3.30pm the presentations began, during which a number of VIP guests gave speeches. Jonathan Schofield, tour guide and journalist did a masterful job as master of ceremonies. In my opinion the most impressive speech was from government minister and Wigan MP Andy Burnham.

Most of all it was a celebration of the dedication of all the people who have been involved in the Victoria Baths project since the 1990s. Many of them were present, but the charismatic Sunny Lowry was sadly missed.

It was another chance to see the superb job that has been done on the building – my favourite part of the restoration is the glazed walkway.

Other attractions included artworks by Ally Wallace and photographs by John Parker-Lee.

It’s been five years since the Victoria Baths won BBC Restoration and it will be some time yet before it re-opens. No definite use has been decided for the building as yet. But hopefully in time, I will be able to walk round the corner and go for a swim in the main pool.

See my Eyewitness in Manchester report from September 2003 and also the official Victoria Baths website

The Victoria Baths has opened its doors after its first phase of restoration. I was there this afternoon and was very impressed with what I saw.

The plaque reads: The restoration of the stained glass windows in this room was funded by the public, in particular the Friends of Victoria Baths, visitors to the building and our Restoration supporters.

Not all lf the building has been renovated! Only the front block. And not everything in it has been renovated! The work has focused on key elements, including the leaded and stained glass windows, the mosaic floors, the casement windows, the basement toilet, hidden structural elements, dry rot repairs, and, my personal favourite, the glazed walkway.

The work is impressive but there is still some way to go before this remarkable building is fully back in use.

A great deal has been achieved but there is still much more to do.

Many thanks to Gill Wright and all others involved in the restoration of the Victoria Baths for inviting me this afternoon.

For more info visit www.victoriabaths.org.uk.