St Nicholas Church Swimming Baths Norton, History of Malton & Norton

ST NICHOLAS CHURCH - SWIMMING BATHS.

Last service was on 24th June 1891 - Demolished in 1901.
The Church was demolished and the sale of items was held in March 1901.
Malton Messenger 2nd March 1901.
The clerk produced the deed of conveyance of the land for the contraction of the bath, signed and sealed by the Vicar and the Archbishop. It was now resolved that the Council's seal be affixed thereto, this being necessary before Ecclesiastical Commissioners affix theirs. Malton Messenger 30th March 1901. Baths Committee.
The Auctioneers account had been submitted to this committee showing £145.15 was relished for the oak fittings etc., of the old church. (7th March 1901 – Sale of old oak and other fittings from old parish church, Norton, made a total of £143.13s.0d.) The Ocean Accident & Gradate Corporation wrote that the rate of premium would be 6s 6d per cent it the building did not exceed 40ft and 7s6d if the height exceeded 40ft and was under 50ft. The Committee resolved that the men be insured on estimated wages of 300 per year. Messrs. Barr & Whittaker having offer 30/- for the two Elm trees behind the old church, the committee accepted the offer. The Surveyor was directed to proceed with the pulling down of the church at once.
14thOctober 1901 – Special Meeting Norton Urban Council to receive tenders for construction of public bath. Mr. T. Anderson's accepted for £386. 18th June 1902 Informal opening of the Norton public swimming bath, public opening on 26th. 28th September 1902 Second aquatic sports at Norton public bath.
During the 1955 season (28th May to the 11th September) 11,898 bath admission tickets were sold (excluding the School sessions).
In 1956 the Council purchases 120 square yards of land west of the swimming bath and the bath was extended by twelve fett and seventeen additional cubicles for dressing accommodation were provided and other improvements in time for opening for the 1957 season. The cost as £1,119 2s 5d. And grants were made to the Council. Norton Coronation Committee £405 17 1d Norton Swimming Gala Committee £100 00 0d Ministry of Education £301 00 0d. The Total of £806 17 1d.
From the pages of the Gazette & Herald of Friday September 27th 1968 the following:- Norton's new swimming pool pulled in crowds of about 20,00 people in nine weeks, Norton Urban Council was told. Nearly 18,00 paid over £1,000 to attend the public sessions, and 1,661 children from 12 local schools attended the specially arranged school sessions'. In additional special sessions were held by the Derwent Valley Swimming Club.
DECEMBER 19th 2003 – 50 years ago.(1953) For the first time in 50 years, carols would be sung in St. Nicholas Gardens on Commercial Street in Norton, where members of the public would assemble round a lighted Christmas Tree for a united carol service. The event was expected to have a good attendance, with a collection being made for the Norton old people's party. It was believed that the last time carols were sung there was before St Nicholas's Church was demolished in 1901, after a thousand years of Christmas being celebrated in a church on the site. Evening Press December 19th /03.
Gravestone inscriptions in St Nicholas Churchyard in Church Street. (2003)
In memory of Lancelot Thorpe. Who departed this life May the 17th 1764 aged 31 years The righteous shall be had in everlafting remembrace. Alfo Keturah wife of the above who departed this life the 6 of June 1796 aged 71 years and also of Lancelot son of the above Lancelot and Keturah who departed this life 31 of May 1813 ages 61 years. Likewise of Elizabeth last surviving child of the above Lancelot and Ketruah Thorp who died unmarried on the 6th December 1837 aged 85 years.
And on another gravestone near the wall Sacred to the memory of Matthew The son of Edward and Hannah Corps who departed this life August 5th 1820 in the 18th year of his age. Reader behold this monitory stone. The last frail tribute to a duteous son, who merit had above his years acquired. He died lamented as he liv'd admind. (last line bad to read).
Sacred to the Memory of John Ward of Norton, March 1838.
In Memory of Mary daughter of William and Catharena Simpson, Late of Pickering, who departed this life ? Oct. 1804, Snatched from my friends in blooming youth, from earth was fa'en away,But sov??? in grace my soul renewed ? Rest endless day. Also Father of the above who departed this life aged 74 years, Wife of the above Catharena who departed this life 24 April ?8.....?aged.
Vicars of Norton :- In 1823 the Church is in the partnership of Mr. Ewbank, The Rev. John Richardson the incumbent. Edmund Day, F. E. Sadgrove, Edward Robinson, C. J. Chapman, W. J. M. Cooms, A. C. Don, H. Merryweather, G. W. McLane, Re. D. G. Evans was curate to Mr. Don.