ARLINGTON SWIMMING CLUB
WANTED, a Man to attend the Turkish Bath, and otherwise make himself generally useful.
North British Daily Mail, 21 May 1873
A job advertisement from 1873 is the earliest example we have found of the Arlington Baths Club recruiting staff specifically for the Turkish Bath. As the Club grew and facilities expanded, so did the variety of staff roles.
Bath attendants were on hand to assist members – who could ring a bell to call them – and to keep the premises clean and tidy. Some employees specialised in the art of shampooing: a Turkish massage with soapy suds, rough gloves and warm water.
One of these was ‘Miss Sutherland’ who had been engaged in 1877 to attend on Thursdays, when the Ladies had use of the Turkish bath. In 1882 the Club advertised again: ‘Turkish Bath Attendant Wanted; good shampooer.’ This was a popular service; a rule required members to put ‘their names or numbers on a slate if they wish to be shampooed’. In 1907, the female club members requested that, ‘a qualified shampooer be got to take the place of Sarah Johnston who was leaving for Canada.’
In 1918, George Trotter was appointed to the position of masseur, taking over from George Ling, who had been employed by the Club for over 30 years. Both Georges were originally employed as a ‘fireman’ – stoking the boilers which provided heat throughout the Club and kept the Turkish bath at the proper temperature – before working as a shampooer and masseur. And they were both local residents; Ling lived on New City Road and Trotter in Willowbank Crescent.
Miss Annie McKay was another long-standing member of staff from these early years. She retired in 1938 having ‘been in the constant service of the Club for almost 40 years’. She worked as a Shampooer, Turkish Bath Attendant and Relief Laundry Maid. Though she had reduced her hours in 1934, she was 72 when she finally retired, receiving a pension of £1 a week from the Club.
The Turkish bath and the skill of the Arlington’s masseurs continued to be appreciated for many more years. In October 1975, around 100 years after the Turkish bath opened, it played host to ballet superstar Rudolf Nureyev. While working with Scottish Ballet in Glasgow, Nureyev needed to stretch and relax his tired muscles. The Club Newsletter reported:
‘Jimmy, our Masseur, and the Arlington Baths were the remedy. Heat, massage and the magic Club atmosphere sent Nureyev pirouetting on his way.’
Arlington Baths Club Newsletter
Researchers: Sarah Hepworth and Will Jess
Arlington Baths Club History Group 