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.