SOME of the smaller exhibits in Bradford on Avon Museum include its collection of coins, tokens and medals.

They include a souvenir medallion of the Bradford on Avon Memorial Baths donated by a local family.

Museum trustee Kate Turnbull said: "I love the way such a small object can tell such a big story, so I decided to find out more."

In April 1897, a public meeting was convened to consider the best way to celebrate Queen Victoria’s diamond jubilee.

The chairman of Bradford Urban District Council, Mr Erlysman Pinckney, declared that a “permanent memento rather than a fleeting jollification” would be appropriate to mark the occasion. In the event, the town had both – the public baths, and jollifications.

It was decided to erect a building containing a swimming pool and baths as a fitting memorial for the Queen’s long reign, and to serve the many people of Bradford who did not have baths in their own homes. Mrs Turnbull said: "Originally, the idea mooted was for baths and a wash-house, but a swimming pool seems to have won out over the wash-house. The idea was made a reality by the generous contributions from John Moulton, Lord Edmond Fitzmaurice, and the ordinary people of the town."

The baths were opened in 1898 with the opening ceremony including a swimming competition and 'a capital programme of ornamental and other swimming'.

There were separate bathing times for men and women. The water was originally changed once a week, and the swimming prices decreased as the water got dirtier!

The memorial baths have long since gone, with Bradford on Avon Museum and the town library now occupying the site. The library car park was once the pleasure grounds in front of the public baths.

Mrs Turnbull added: "The medallion remains as a reminder. Made of lead alloy and issued in 1897, the medallion face displayed clearly shows a representation of the bath house building.

An artist’s impression of the baths appears in a booklet about the jubilee celebrations published by William Dotesio in 1897.

The words “Bradford on Avon Memorial” are written round the outside, and “Public Baths” underneath, with the date 1897 below. The reverse face shows an image of Queen Victoria, with the words 'Victoria, Queen of England, Empress of India, 1837-1897' around the outside.

To find out more about the Museum and its collections, visit www.bradfordonavonmuseum.co.uk. The museum also publishes an extensive selection of books on local history.