1974: The Old PUBLIC LAUNDRY | Nationwide | Voice of the People | BBC Archive

"They want to carry on washing, the way they've always done it."
James Hogg reports from the Silchester Road Public Baths building in North Kensington, which is due to be demolished as part of a redevelopment scheme, with the site earmarked for a new olympic swimming pool.
Local housewives, however - including the mother of footballer Alan Mullery - are up in arms about the decision, because the building houses the public laundry, which has been in use since 1886. Why do these women want to keep this antiquated public laundry, when the council plans to build a modern launderette to replace it?
James demonstrates the process of washing in the old laundry works - from the lead sinks to the scrubbing boards, to the press and the drying horses.
Originally broadcast 25 January, 1974.
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