Exercise Gallery

LCC-LFB Fire display at Brigade HQ Southwark

The London Fire Brigade encouraged, for very many years, a good public image by opening its doors to the public to special fire brigade displays. On Saturday afternoons, during the summer months, it was a regular feature to see displays at the Southwark Headquarters. As the picture shows it drew large, and frequently a boater-hatted, crowds. A motorised fire engine works two firefighting jets, while a turntable ladder is fully extended to the top of the drill tower. Where there was space to stand and watch the public took every opportunity to do so

© London Fire Brigade / Mary Evans Picture Library

Czech Republic - Sokol Rally in Prague 1920s

A rally to promoting public exercise as a way to stimulate national self importance (through organised gymnastic and athletic demonstrations - usually mass-participation). Sokol was founded on the philosophy that a physically fit, mentally alert and culturally developed people can make a nation strong. The word "sokol" translates to falcon and is symbolic of the Sokol ideals: Courage, Strength, Endurance, Fraternalism, Love of democratic principles, and Pride in country. Miroslav Tyrs (1832 -1884) (depicted in the centre) was a key exponent of this approach and is duly being honoured by the ranks of passing Sokol participants. Tyrs believed that a nation must be physically fit, morally on a high plane and intelligent in order to secure independence and retain it. Elevated to Doctor of Philosophy at Charles University and a member of the Education Staff of Rieger's Encyclopedia, Tyrs formulated his Sokol plan, creating an entirely new gymnastic terminology. The next twenty years of his life were devoted to Sokol. He was the first Physical Director, editor of the Sokol paper and creator of calisthenics and exercises, placing the whole system on a firm scientific basis. Between the First and Second World Wars the organisation grew to have a million members. The Sokol programmes were organised to have mass appeal across all strata of Czech society and across all age grous."

© Mary Evans / Grenville Collins Postcard Collection

Endell Street Open Air Swimming Pool

A view of the open air swimming pool in Endell Street, Holborn, London, on the site of Holborn Borough Council's Public Swimming bath which was pulled down in 1938 in preparation for the building of a more modern bath. Reconstruction was prevented by the outbreak of war and the cavity of the old Bath became a static water tank to aid fire-fighting during the blitz in London. The wartime decontamination centre, seen behind the pool surmounted by the Borough's Coat of Arms, provided dressing accommodation for 200 persons an hour. Now part of the Oasis Sports Centre

© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans