Campaign launched to save 'historic' Langley swimming baths mural before demolition

Schoolchildren from Albright Boys School helped create the distinctive mosaic which depicts fish, mermaids and the Greek god of the ocean, Poseidon.

Langley Green chemicals company Albright and Wilson funded the mural as a gift to the people of Oldbury.

A Facebook group called 'Save the Albright Mural at Langley Baths' has 90 members, including several former pupils, among them Danny Hulse, who worked on the mural when the baths were opened in 1967.

Author Roy Matthews believes the mural represents Sandwell's history and it could be cultural crime if lost to the bulldozers.

He said: "The mural at Langley Baths has been shown to be important to local people and society in general, so with this enthusiasm, is it any less important than a Banksy? To local people, the answer is yes, it is.

"Murals can create a sense of community, beautify urban spaces, express historical and cultural identity, raise awareness about social issues and inspire creativity and wonder.

"Works of art also reflect and reveal our society. It adds meaning to our cities and uniqueness to our communities. Public art humanises the built environment and invigorates public spaces.

"As such, the historical value of a work of art commissioned to be presented to local people by a local employer is so very important in that it represents our history."

Mr Matthews compared the destruction of the mural to the 'Nazis destroying books and culture', citing the importance of murals including the Roman ones discovered at Pompeii.

Sandwell Council investigated the practicalities of saving the mural but due to it being embedded in a concrete wall deemed it was impossible to save. However, A smaller mural will be saved and could be displayed at the new Aquatics Centre.

Councillor Charn Singh Padda, Cabinet Member for Leisure and Tourism, said: "Although the smaller mural at Langley baths can be preserved, it isn't feasible to save the larger mosaic which is embedded into concrete in the wall of the building.

“We realise that many will have fond memories of swimming at Langley baths and of the mural which was made by local children in the 1960s, although we hear some younger swimmers were petrified of it."

The council has commissioned a photographer to capture the Albright Mural before it is destroyed as part of the £1 million demolition to make way for new homes.

Councillor Padda added: "We will be taking high quality images and formally submitting this to the historic record to ensure this piece of art is remembered for years to come.

"We are extremely proud to be opening a fantastic leisure centre, right here in Sandwell that will provide our communities brand new, state-of-the-art swimming, diving and fitness facilities.

“Langley Swimming Centre has served generations of swimmers and we are very keen to preserve the heritage with a permanent instalment to celebrate the history to be placed in the new Sandwell Aquatics Centre. We will work with the local community to curate this installation and ensure that all elements of Langley, including the Albright mural, are rightly reflected."

Both Langley and Smethwick Swimming Baths have been closed ahead of the opening of the state-of-the-art Aquatics Centre which was built for last year's Commonwealth Games.

Councillor Padda added: “While we are sad to lose some of our older swimming facilities we are very excited at the imminent opening of our new Sandwell Aquatics Centre which includes a 50 metre Olympic-size swimming pool, a 10 metre high competitive dive tower and a 25 metre dive pool, along with 1,000 spectator seats.

"Sandwell Aquatics Centre will open to members of the public on Monday, July 24.”