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Bathing machine owner and swimming master, Essex
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Bathing machine owner and swimming master, Essex
Pictured in front of his bathing machines on the beach at Walton-on-the-Naze, Essex, is Charlie Bates with some of his family and the horse which hauled the machines down to the waters edge and back. Holding the horses head is Charles Polley, wearing a jumper with the title Swimming Master.
circa 1920
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Media ID 7244459
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10576332
Bathing Charlie Essex Jumper Machines Master Naze Sea Side Swimming Title Walton Wheels
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EDITORS COMMENTS
In this evocative photograph taken around 1920, Charlie Bates, the bathing machine owner and swimming master, is pictured with some of his family members and their horse on the beach at Walton-on-the-Naze in Essex. The horse, an essential component of the bathing experience during this era, is harnessed to the bathing machines, which were used to provide privacy for bathers as they changed into swimming costumes and entered the sea. Charlie's assistant, Charles Polley, wears a jumper bearing the title "Swimming Master," signifying his role in overseeing swimming activities at the beach. The family members, including children, are dressed in their Sunday best, suggesting a day out at the seaside resort. The horse, with its wheels and wooden structure, adds to the nostalgic charm of the scene. Bathing machines were popular during the early 20th century, particularly in the 1920s, as they offered a degree of modesty and convenience for those who wished to bathe in the sea without exposing themselves to public view. The beach at Walton-on-the-Naze was a popular destination for day-trippers and holidaymakers, and the presence of bathing machines and swimming masters like Charlie and Charles ensured that visitors could enjoy a safe and enjoyable experience by the sea. This photograph captures a moment in time when the simple pleasures of a day at the beach involved a horse, a bathing machine, and the guidance of a swimming master. It is a reminder of a bygone era when the seaside was a place of relaxation, fun, and community, and where the simple joys of a day at the beach were enough to create cherished memories.
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