Sea bathing in Scarborough
Scarborough became a fashionable spa town and the first original English seaside resort after the discovery of natural mineral springs at South Bay, circa 1626 by Mrs Thomasin Fatter, wife of former town bailiff and businessman John Farrer.
The town saw the arrival of possibly the world's first bathing machines in 1735. The bathing machine was a mobile changing room for swimmers - it allowed people to change out of their usual clothes into their bathing costume and then wade into the sea from beaches. They were wooden carts with four big wheels, steps and small windows. In fact, there were many different designs, ranging from comfortable to the basic bathing machines which were to be seen on the majority of beaches. Some had a small flag which could be raised by the bather as a signal to the driver that they were ready to return to shore. The machines were pulled by horses to the edge of the water or even into it, if the waves and tide permitted.
When the machine stopped the bathers inside emerged through a doorway from the back of the machine via steps directly into the water hidden from the view of others. After they had had enough time in the water they could re-enter the bathing machine, dry off, change back to their street clothing and be wheeled back to the rental establishment on the beach, emerging fully dressed and avoiding the stares of the crowd. |
The Bathing Belles
The Bathing Belles are two sculptures commissioned by the Civic Society and sculpted by Sunderland artist Craig Knowles to celebrate Scarborough's connection to sea bathing and changes in society.
The Bathing Belle here in North Bay depicts a late 19th century swimmer with the post/ steel girder constraining the swimmer's freedom and represents not only the bathing machine to shield her modesty but all the constraints on women's behaviour in the Victorian era. She is seen stepping down the imaginary steps of the bathing machine and into the sea.
Society in that era demanded that women should completely cover their bodies even when swimming, hence the elaborate swimming costume.
The Diving Belle (pictured left) is located next to the lighthouse in South Bay and represents the Scarborough of the present with women able to escape the constraints of the steel girder and relish the freedom modem society allows and encourages.
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