BUSINESSMAN John Watson has splashed the cash at his favourite swimming pool in Glasgow's West End.

He's spent thousands of pounds on commissioning a new cast iron diving platform to replace the original which was installed 135 years ago at the Western Baths Club during the reign of Queen Victoria.

John is chief executive and chairman of city printing firm John Watson of Port Dundas which specialises in bottle labels for many of Scotland's top selling whiskies.

And he was the toast of fellow club members after agreeing to meet the cost of replacing the diving platform – known as a dale – by commissioning an exact copy.

The original was used by the club's first members in 1878.

John said: "I am delighted that we have been able to create the new diving dale which will be of great benefit to the many members of the Western Baths Club.

"The original was typical of Victorian design and manufacture when things were built to last.

"The fact that the previous one lasted for over a century and a quarter is testament to that.

"I'm confident this one will give at least another 135 years of service to the club."

The 65-year-old businessman turned to Glasgow ironwork manu- facturer Walter MacFarlane to produce the replacement. The cast iron platform was made at the firm's Saracen Foundry in the north of the city. The firm also produced the ironwork at the Kibble Palace in Glasgow's popular Botanic Gardens.

The cost of the new dale has not been disclosed although the bill is known to have run into thousands of pounds. The gesture is appreciated by the club's manager Fraser Makeham.

He said: "The original diving dale was corroding and clearly past its useful life. Everyone would agree that it has served the club well.

"We are very grateful to the generosity of John Watson and the Watson family for our new dale. Choosing a replica rather than a more modern one allows us to preserve the original appearance of the baths."

The Hillhead complex in Cranworth Street is an iconic city institution since it opened in 1876 just two years before the original diving platform was installed.

Back then the baths were the exclusive use of gentlemen. Today the Western is a swimming and reactional club for all the family and attractions include the original swimming pool and Turkish and Russian baths as well as two saunas, sports hall, gymn and exercise room. There's also a billiard room, bar and bistro and meeting room.

Earlier this month we told how the club had a new mosaic floor which was designed by Alasdair Gray, the painter, artist, author and writer. It was his parting gift to mark the end of his two-year stint as the Western's artist in residence.

gordon.thomson@eveningtimes.co.uk