Leeds International Swimming Pool // Leeds • UrbEx photography by Barnaby Aldrick

The Leeds International Swimming Pool facility closed in October 2007 and is scheduled for demolition in June this year.  A gifted photographer and friend, James Lester, likes to go ‘Urban Exploring’ and I decided to join him in a bid to document the last period of this Leeds landmark, with a possible plan to run as a feature in the Leeds Guide magazine.

It was really fascinating wandering around inside a place I’d come as a child. 

I jumped off this diving board once upon a time.

Not today maybe

James’s often paints in pitch black with light using a little LED torch (which he says has three settings, “really bright, silly bright and turbo”).  This image was painted with light in a pitch black room.

Tea 40p.

The basement was most fascinating.  Endless corridors full of pipes. A good place to set a horror film with zombies methinks…

An interesting photographic effect repeatedly flashing an off camera flashgun while James walked passed.

This was someone’s desk once upon a time.  One of the world’s less impressive offices.

It was a really fascinating visit.

James’s work is genius. I recently saw one of his exhibitions in The Reliance showing photos of an eerie crumbling charm that he  shot of the former lunatic Asylum High Royds in the Leeds/Bradford area.  See more of his amazing work here.

• 07 May 2009