Historic stonework comes home

STONEWORK from the demolition of Royton Baths now outside Royton Leisure Centre

AN ICONIC piece of Royton's history is back where it belongs ­- albeit outside its replacement.

The arch and "Public Baths" carvings which once adorned the former Royton Baths building before its demolition last year, have now been set into landscaping outside Royton Leisure Centre following a public vote on their final resting place.

The stonework, which is more than a 100 years old, has been cleaned up and given pride of place outside the new facility after it was preserved during work to remove the old baths to make way for the leisure centre car park.

Royton South councillor Marie Bashforth said: "We promised to save these iconic Royton stones and bring them back to Royton, and now here they close to their original location when first put there in 1909.

"We are very pleased with the way our parks department have handled the stones and the display really enhances the public space behind our town hall. We hope they will continue to be enjoyed by Roytonians for over another 100 years."

Councillor Bashforth says the entrance stones from Byron Street School will soon be getting the same treatment and will be displayed in the grounds of the new Royton Hall Primary School. She added: "We are looking forward to working with the school to agree a location and design and are sure the children will be eager to help."