London Pools Campaign: Hampstead Heath

Taking the Plunge: - Photographs

webteam — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 04:28:43 GMT

An exhibition of photographs by Ruth Corney Lauderdale House, N6; 15th-27th January 2008

A new photographic exhibition showing Hampstead Heath through the eyes of its visitors opens to the public next month.

Taking The Plunge: An exhibition of photographs by Ruth Corney features around 50 images of the Heath – focussing particularly on the lido and bathing ponds - which capture the changing seasons. These include a summer downpour at the Ladies’ pond, a deserted, snow-covered lido and the Christmas Day race at the Men’s bathing pond.

Ruth said: “I try to capture the Heath as it appears to all those who use it – the architecture and wonderful reflective qualities of the water at the lido, the unique stillness of the Ladies’ bathing pond and the different atmospheres at the lido and the ponds." Further information at www.ruthcorney.com

Taking the Plunge:

15th-27th January 2008

Lauderdale House, Highgate Hill

Waterlow Park

London N6 5HG

Opening hours: Tue-Fri 11am-4pm, Sat 11.30-5pm (subject to private bookings), Sun 12-5pm.

Free.

Cold water, hot blood - Highgate Ponds

webteam — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 17:29:54 GMT

"A couple of years ago, the City of London authority, supported by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, tried to stop people swimming here on winter mornings. The swimmers brought a judicial review and triumphed against the risk-averse killjoys. Since then, the City, which assumed responsibility for the Heath after the Greater London Council was abolished, has installed a ticket machine charging £2 per swim that the rank and file have scrupulously ignored. They're quite right. Buying a ticket to swim in a pond is like paying to climb a mountain, walk through the woods or lie on a beach - the patenting of our natural highs.
For when you emerge dripping and glowing from the Men's Pond you are not only alive, you have slaughtered your woolly mammoth. In a flash, our atomised existence of email, mobile, iPod and BlackBerry is buried under an avalanche of endorphins."
.... "Gonadal contraction is the answer, then, to winter blues. Just don't go telling the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents.

(Via New Statesman - Cold water, hot blood: .)

Well spotted Pooling Resources.

Bad weather sees Parliament Hill lido's profits plummet

webteam — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 23:08:00 GMT

"HEATH bosses have been left counting the cost of the summer washout as open air swimmers refuse to take the plunge. The number of bathers braving Parliament Hill lido has plummeted after one of the wettest summers on record"

(Via Ham and High Express Bad weather sees Parliament Hill lido's profits plummet: .)

Fears come to the surface for Pond swimmer

webteam — Sat, 19 May 2007 06:28:50 GMT

"A WOMAN'S dip in Hampstead Heath ladies bathing pond turned into a horror movie scene when she had the fright of her life on Saturday morning. The woman was enjoying her swim when she saw a disembodied hand coming up through the water towards her"

(Via Ham and High Express Fears come to the surface for Pond swimmer: .)

Swimming groups gird their loins for new ponds battle

Rob Spender — Tue, 22 Aug 2006 02:45:11 GMT

The Ham & High:

SWIMMING groups are gearing up for another battle after figures revealed that cash raised from charging at the bathing ponds is set to fall well short of targets.

The City of London Corporation introduced the controversial £2 voluntary charges at the three bathing ponds on Hampstead Heath on July 1 last year.

With one month left to the end of the swimming season, Heath bosses have collected just £33,619 - a long way below the £80,000 target.

In autumn, the corporation will review all the original options for bathing on the Heath, which included closing the ponds to swimmers.

Sally Taylor, chairwoman of the Mixed Pond Action Group, said: "I think they will either make paying compulsory or cut the hours the ponds are open.

"I think if this starts again they will find a high level of resistance and the whole caboodle will start again."

Kenwood Ladies swim for Golden Goggles

pool@... — Thu, 13 Jul 2006 19:10:53 GMT

Kenwood Ladies Pond Association set out in a bus to take part in this year's Golden Goggles award for lidos and outdoor pools. The ten strong team covered 6 lidos in the day. Mary Cane from the KLPA said "We had a brilliant day... I had the best ice cream ever at Tooting Bec. Much fun was had by all"

London Pools Campaign's Golden Goggles award this year focuses on outdoor swimming and aims to highlight that London has lost 58 lidos - and has just 11 left. There is still time to take part either by swimming in one of the lidos and ponds and filling in a questionnaire for us, or come along to the award ceremony which will be on July 20th at Parliament Hill lido.

Free swimming at the ponds

pool@... — Mon, 10 Jul 2006 18:15:00 GMT

Hamstead and Highgate Express 7th July reports

THOUSANDS of swimmers took a dip in the Heath ponds for free after the ticket machine broke down again.

As temperatures soared to 32 degrees on Sunday, about 4,000 bathers cooled off in Hampstead Heath's mixed bathing pond.

Bathers could not pay the £2 voluntary charge which was controversially introduced last summer.

Swimmer locked out of Heath sports group

webteam — Tue, 02 May 2006 16:43:06 GMT

"HEATH bosses have sunk swimmers' hopes that they could have a say in the management of the ponds. Regular pond user Harry Eyres, a Financial Times columnist, writer and poet has been refused membership of the Hampstead Heath sports committee. The 48-y"

(Via Ham and High Express Swimmer locked out of Heath sports group: .)

"A 16-year reign that has bled coffers dry"

webteam — Thu, 16 Feb 2006 05:59:49 GMT

We recently were asked to desist from reporting local campaigners' fears that the Hampstead Ponds were 'under threat'. The corporation have assured readers that closure of the ponds is not an option that exists. The local paper though has run an article this week that sets out the possible reasons for some local concerns.

"Cash-strapped Heath bosses have asked the public to dip into their pockets to help pay for the running of Hampstead Heath. But why is a multimillion pound corporation in need of financial help? Marc Mullen investigates..."

(Via Ham and High Express A 16-year reign that has bled coffers dry: .)

statement regarding the Hampstead Ponds

webteam — Sat, 04 Feb 2006 01:14:19 GMT

The London Pools Campaign is an umbrella organisation that works to give a voice on the web to groups of concerned swimmers around London and beyond. Groups inform us about what is happening on their patch and we will publicise it.

Mary Cane from the Kenwood Ladies Pond Association said today "At the last swimmers' forum we were told by the Corporation of London, as I understand it, that the income from the ponds was around £8000 when they had expected £80,000, and that the whole charging system would be under review this year. And then in September, if there is not sufficient income all the options will be under review again, including closures".

The Corporation of London today told the BBC "closure is not an option".

The Corporation of London describes the thinking behind "the introduction of a self policing charge (not a voluntary donation) at the ponds" HERE. This is one concern of the users of the water facilities on the Heath who saw the FREE early swim at the Lido end in 2005 after being enjoyed for decades.

This old sign lying in a storeroom at Hampstead Heath Lido still has the familiar words "all year free swimming 07.00 - 09.30"

Ice rink profits could save ponds, say Heath swimmers

webteam — Thu, 08 Dec 2005 03:25:47 GMT

"PROFIT from Hampstead Heath's new ice rink should be put into the upkeep of the ponds, say swimming campaigners."

(Via Camden Chronicle Ice rink profits could save ponds, say Heath swimmers: .)

Technorati Tags: t

CITY SWIMMERS to be screened tomorrow!

webteam — Fri, 11 Nov 2005 17:53:38 GMT

click image to enlarge

A film on the campaign to save the Hampstead Heath swimming ponds

Made by campaigners and a team of North London film-makers, TV and radio professionals.

"City Swimmers" is a celebration of open water swimming as much as a record of the campaign. It features Hampstead Heath and its ponds, showing why people want to swim there every day - and even through the depths of winter. But it also looks beyond London to show the pleasure of other open water swimming places and cover other campaigns to keep them open.

Showing on Saturday 12th November at 13.00

Everyman Cinema Club
5 Holly Bush Vale, London NW3 6TX
(Diagonally opposite Hampstead Underground Station - Northern Line).
Prices: £5 .00; £3.00 concession

'City Swimmers' - a film about the Hampstead ponds, GET IT BOOKED!

webteam — Wed, 02 Nov 2005 18:20:43 GMT

A film on the campaign to save the Hampstead Heath swimming ponds

Made by campaigners and a team of North London film-makers, TV and radio professionals.

Showing on Saturday 12th November at 13.00

Everyman Cinema Club
5 Holly Bush Vale, London NW3 6TX
(Diagonally opposite Hampstead Underground Station - Northern Line).
Prices: £5 .00; £3.00 concession

After the screening there will be a Question and Answer session with the filmmakers and Campaigners. There will be representatives of swimmers' organisations including the Kenwood Ladies' Pond Association, the United Swimmers' Association of Hampstead Heath, The Mixed Pond Action Group, London Pools Campaign and the Hampstead Heath Winter Swimming Club.

To purchase tickets in advance, send a cheque made out to Kenwood Ladies' Pond Association and SAE to:

Margaret Dickinson, 42 Lisburne Road, London NW3 2NR

Ginny MacFadyen writes:

"There is also concern over the threat long term to the swimming baths at Kentish Town (Prince of Wales Road) and the Question and Answer session folllowing the film is probably going to include a speaker from the campaign to save the Kentish Town Baths."

[LINK]

"Donate for pond use or we will start charging"

webteam — Mon, 24 Oct 2005 07:33:51 GMT

"HEATH bosses are warning that pond swimmers need to start paying for their dips or face the possibility of compulsory charging.

Catherine McGuinness, chairwoman of the Hampstead Heath management committee at the Corporation of London, said takings from honesty boxes at the mixed, ladies' and men's bathing ponds were disappointing.

So far just £9,406.50 has been raised since the machines - which charge £2 for a swim (we thought that was 'request', Ed ) - were installed in June. CoL was hoping to make £80,000 a year to support the running of the ponds.

Ms McGuinness said: "The situation at the ponds is deeply disappointing and the income thus far is a long way short of what we had expected to make."

(Via Ham and High Express Donate for pond use or we will start charging: .)

Duathlon athletes in the swim

webteam — Thu, 08 Sep 2005 18:23:45 GMT

"It was a warm summer's day and families were out enjoying the sun, walking the heath and feeding the ducks, when suddenly, a large group of Lycra-clad men and women came steaming past. The annual Hampstead Heath Duathlon took place on Sunday."

(Via Camden Times Duathlon athletes in the swim: .)

Photographer Ruth dives into madness of lido life

webteam — Fri, 26 Aug 2005 16:31:51 GMT

Anyone swimming at Parliament Hill Lido cannot fail to enjoy the photographs hanging in the corridor and the wonderful frieze on poolside. It is great to see so many people of all ages standing and enjoying as they wait for that tardy little sister taking ages soaking in the shower (a personal note there, Ed.) Get along for a great swim in one of the best pools in London with some of the best staff keeping an eye on you.
"The slightly seedy blue tiled pool with its mottled concrete surround - the focal point of many a hot day's outing to the Parliament Hill Lido - has gone forever.In its place is a pristine stainless steel pool with water brimming over its edges. The studded base makes tracks of sunlit water iridescent, sparkling to evoke sequins for a dressmaker, sea bass scales for a cook. Both pools play a starring role in Lido Life, Ruth Corney's display of colour photographs in the foyer, with a frieze of contact prints on the buildings beside the pool."

(Via Hampstead and Highgate Express, Photographer Ruth dives into madness of lido life, editorial@islingtonexpress.co.uk, 22 July 2005: .)

£1.4million will be splashed on lido buildings

webteam — Thu, 25 Aug 2005 06:29:57 GMT

"BUILDINGS at the newly-refurbished lido are the next target for a makeover project to spruce up Hampstead Heath.
Now the buildings and terraces surrounding the lido have been singled out for a £1.4million refurbishment.

The repairs would be carried out during winter 2006 to 2007, and the lido would re-open in late June 2007.
Jennifer Adams, director of open spaces at the Corporation of London, which manages the Heath, said: "The lido is nearly 70 years old.
"Having completed the first phase of refurbishment, the buildings and terracing are now in pressing need of repair and look poor and out of date in comparison."

(Via Camden Chronicle £1.4million will be splashed on lido buildings: .)

Berry costly vandalism at ponds

webteam — Fri, 19 Aug 2005 17:21:09 GMT

SOME protesters might use superglue to make their point, but in Hampstead they use wild berries.

A disgruntled swimmer objected to paying for a dip in Hampstead's bathing ponds by blocking the ticket machine with berries.
The swimmer stuffed the fruit into the coin slot of the machine by the men's pond on Saturday, causing more than £1,000 of damage.
Peter Cuming, a member of the United Swimmers' Association, said: "It is pretty mindless of whoever did it but we deplore needless expenditure on the Heath and that includes repairing machines."
Corporation of London engineers were called out to repair the £6,500 machine on Monday. A CoL spokeswoman said: "We would appeal to people not to damage the machines. We are desperately trying to raise money not spend money.

(via Ham & High, Berry costly vandalism at ponds, editorial@hamhigh.co.uk, 12 August 2005

Lido swimmers face four more years of chaos

webteam — Fri, 19 Aug 2005 16:27:07 GMT

"ESSENTIAL building work on the Parliament Hill Lido could take another four years. Heath managers the Corporation of London (CoL) have already splashed out £2.25million fixing water leaks and lining the 70-year-old pool. But further stru"

(Via Ham and High Express Lido swimmers face four more years of chaos: .)

Heath Lido to try out late opening

webteam — Thu, 28 Jul 2005 16:37:24 GMT

a trial of the Heath lido opening late one night a week is to be started. The more popular it is, the more likely it is to be a permanent feature (at least in the Summer). Any help in publicising this would be greatly appreciated folks so get forwarding folks.

In response to popular demand, the newly renovated pool will open on Thursday evenings from July 28, throughout August, primarily for lane swimming.

We visited as a family on Saturday, two adults and four children, £16.90 - it was beautiful and roidgreat view from the Alwynne tower was a tonic. Did we say how brilliant the pool-deck staff are there - we wouldn't do that job for a gold pig and they do it excellently.

check out the press release

Heath swimmers’ sanity questioned

webteam — Thu, 28 Jul 2005 16:36:49 GMT

"BATHERS taking an early morning winter dip in the Hampstead Heath ponds will have to pledge that they are good swimmers and of sound mind. Swimmers must sign a legal agreement that they understand the risks of early morning winter bathing without lifeguar"

(Via Ham and High Express Heath swimmers’ sanity questioned: .)

Ladies pond closes temporarily!

webteam — Wed, 20 Jul 2005 18:33:25 GMT

Unfortunately, the Ladies Pond is still closed, the Mixed Pond was open later than normal yesterday and will do so again today. Maintenance engineers are on site and as soon as we can re-open we will be back in touch.
Thank you.
Patricia O'Mahony
PA to the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath

hnhtext - Pond charging gets off to a sticky start

webteam — Tue, 28 Jun 2005 00:00:09 GMT

"PLANS to charge swimmers for a dip in Hampstead's bathing ponds came unstuck when protesters superglued a padlock on a ticket machine.

Voluntary charging began on Saturday when solar-powered ticket machines were unveiled at the three ponds.

But saboteurs struck immediately when they poured superglue into a padlock used to secure the cover on the machine by the mixed pond.

Swimmmer Thomas Pope, 43, of Dartmouth Park, said: 'I don't approve of an antagonistic approach, although it is wrong in principle to charge.'"

(Via Pond charging gets off to a sticky start: .)

Heath ice rink 'wanted'

webteam — Thu, 23 Jun 2005 05:47:38 GMT

"PLANS for an ice rink in Hampstead Heath have been given a cautious welcome."

(Via Camden Chronicle Heath ice rink 'wanted': .)

Ticket Machines arrive on the Heath

webteam — Tue, 21 Jun 2005 16:21:20 GMT

TICKET machines were installed at the ponds on Hampstead Heath this week amid accusations that deliberately misleading posters have been put up to force swimmers to cough up cash.
The honesty box-style, self-policing ticket set-up was introduced by the Corporation of London after a bitter nine-month battle with swimmers determined to keep the ponds open and free.

But on Tuesday morning, when the new machines were installed, swimmers at the mixed pond say signs suggest the charge is compulsory. One poster said: “Introduction of charges: As of Saturday 18th June, a charge of £2 for adults and £1 concessions will be implemented.”

(Via the Camden New Journal)

The SAVE THE HEATH PONDS CAMPAIGN has written to members about what they see as misleading signs erected by the corporation which you can view HERE. This looks like an issue that will run and run.

Christmas ice rink could open on Heath

webteam — Sun, 12 Jun 2005 15:41:35 GMT

"SWIMMERS have braved the icy depths of Hampstead Heath's swimming ponds for decades. But if an ambitious plan is given the green light they could be joined by ice skaters. The Corporation of London (CoL), which manages the Heath, has released plans to put an ice rink on the Heath for the Christmas holidays."

(Via Ham and High Express Christmas ice rink could open on Heath: .)

BBC - Radio 4 - Woman's Hour -Hampstead Ponds

webteam — Wed, 11 May 2005 15:14:26 GMT

Swimming in the open air, in natural surroundings on a warm day can be a joy
But how about dunking yourself in a freezing lake at this time of year?
Scores of brave people turn up every single morning, come rain or shine, with their towels and swimming costumes to London's Hampstead Ponds, a series of natural lakes on Hampstead Heath.
People have been swimming in the ponds for more than 100 years, and last week pond swimmers successfully campaigned to be able to swim in the mixed ponds without lifeguards.
Liz Pearson went off to the women's pond with regular swimmer Margaret, 83, to see for herself what it is that draws in swimmers in all weathers.

listen to this great piece from Woman's Hour

(Via BBC website.)

Swimmers win right to chilly dip

webteam — Wed, 27 Apr 2005 04:54:43 GMT

Swimmers today won their High Court battle with "the nanny state" over "the right to take risks" and bathe in a natural pond on chilly winter mornings.
The legal challenge was brought by the Hampstead Heath Winter Swimming Club against the Corporation of London.
Last July the Corporation rejected the club's proposals for early morning, self-regulated swimming in the Mixed Pond on the heath in north London.
The club wants the pond reserved for the exclusive use of experienced club members during the winter season and not open to the public.
The Corporation's refusal was linked to safety fears and concern that it could be at risk of prosecution by the Health and Safety Executive.
Today Mr Justice Burnton ruled the Corporation had fallen into legal error and said swimmers should be able to swim at their own risk.
He spoke out in favour of "individual freedom" and against "a grey and dull safety regime" being imposed on everyone.

(Via The Independent, By John Aston, 26 April 2005.)

Hampstead ResPonds

pool@... — Thu, 14 Apr 2005 16:28:47 GMT

The Corporation of London wrote:
Your item on the judicial review regarding the Hampstead Ponds is misleading. The review concerns a decision not to allow self-regulated swimming - i.e., swimming without lifeguards - in the ponds at times when we can't operate them, following a very small change in 2003 to mid-winter opening hours made after repeated safety advice and not for reasons of cost. We have NOT stopped people from swimming in the ponds: indeed, we are actively supporting this, and even though we have budgetary constraints which have meant that we have had to look at how we operate the ponds will still be spending over £400,000 a year to ensure that swimming in them can continue, with only a very modest charge to users. The Corporation is - and has always been - committed to retaining swimming on the Heath, both in the Gospel Oak Lido and in the ponds, and I am surprised that the London Pools Campaign is not celebrating the fact that we have managed to do so when so many other facilities around the country have been closed.

Catherine McGuinness
Chairman, Hampstead Heath Management Committee

The 'Save the Ponds' Campaign responded:
I suppose we swimmers should say, "Yes" we are pleased that the Ponds and the Parliament Hill Lido (not Gospel Oak!) are to be open this year again, for of course we all are, but we have little faith that they will remain so, or that we will not be faced with a fresh attack on our customary swimming when the funds do not materialise from the "self policing" charges by September this year.

I guess that the constant attack that swimmers' hours and indeed threats to close a Pond or two over the last four years have left us reeling. How can the Corporation even contemplate such a thing. In the face of 6,000 signatures and united public meetings casting unanimous votes against closure or charges, the Corporation can still sail blithely against swimmers and destroy a world class swimming facility. This we must prevent happening. We have had no reliable infomration to the contrary.

Indeed, we have every reason to believe that it is the long term intention of the Corporation to close the Ponds completely and only offer the Lido for all year round swimming. Hopefully, the judicial review will ease Superintendent Lee's fear of criminal prosecution and a more relaxed approach to swimmers will be recreated, as it was in the happier days of the Metropolitan Board of Works, The London County Council and the Greater London Council, which latter was the custodian of the Heath when I started swimming daily in 1982.

Mary Cane
Save the Ponds Campaign

The press said:
Hampstead swimmers fight heath pond ban - The Times
Swimmers launch court fight for winter dips - Evening Standard
Heath swimmers go to the High Court - Hampstead and Highgate Express

Swimming ruling could end timid management Hampstead & Highgate Broadway, editorial, 15 April 2005

Pond decision goes to Judicial Review

pool@... — Wed, 06 Apr 2005 15:23:34 GMT

On 7 and 8 April 2005, the hearing will take place, in the Administrative Court, Queen’s Bench Division of the High Court of Justice, Royal Courts of Justice, Strand, London WC2, of the challenge by the Hampstead Heath Winter Swimming Club to the decision of the Corporation of London to refuse to allow Club members to swim without lifeguards in the Hampstead Heath Mixed Pond. The hearing is open to the public, begins at 10.30 a.m. and will appear in the court lists under the name: The Queen (on the application of Hampstead Heath Winter Swimming Club) v. The Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London

The Save the Ponds Campaign says "The United Swimmers Association of Hampstead Heath proposed that winter swimmers should form a self-regulating association to swim at their own risk in the early morning hours when the ponds are closed to the public. The Corporation curtailed early opening hours during the winter in order to cut costs, and ended an activity swimmers had been able to pursue for over a century. The Corporation balked at allowing self-regulated swimming."

"Please come and fill the public gallery, but remember that security checks take time and the hearing starts at 10 :30 a.m".

Hampstead Ponds - Campaign Phase Two

pool@... — Thu, 03 Mar 2005 20:18:12 GMT

The 'Save the Ponds' group are launching phase 2 of their campaign to keep the Hampstead and Highgate ponds open and free to all.

On Saturday 5th March at 12:50 there is an open meeting at the Everyman Cinema to discuss the next stages of the campaign. Hampstead Heath Ponds Swimming Groups say "We did well to halt the closure of the Mixed Pond, but we must know what we are on board for now in the second half of the campaign for free and open ponds".

At 1:15pm there is a showing of the Esther Williams Film Dangerous When Wet at the Everyman in support of the campaign. The 'Save the Ponds' campaign are offering 2 free tickets to first person answering question "What was the name of the Esther Williams film '-------- Daughter'"?. Call 020 7690 6662.

This is also the last chance to see Dive In - Exhibition of photos of Kenwood Ladies Pond at the Everyman Cinema.

Profits to Save the Ponds campaign and London Pools Campaign. Doors open 12:30pm. The Everyman Cinema Club, 5 Holly Bush Vale, Hampstead Village London NW3 6TX. Phone 08700 664777. The cinema is diagonally opposite Hampstead tube on the Northern Line HERE.

Decision day for Hampstead Ponds - and Hendy Pool

pool@... — Sat, 19 Feb 2005 01:23:30 GMT

On Monday 21st February the decisions about the future of Hampstead Ponds will be made by the Corporation of London - these centre around the issues of restricting the hours of opening for the ponds or charging for entry - in order to cover a budget deficit run by the Corporation of London.

The 'Save the Ponds' Campaign writes

Dear Campaigners

Reminder: With a seating capacity of 150 and no contributions from the public allowed, the Hampstead Heath Management Committee will be holding its decision-making meeting on the Hampstead Heath Swimming Ponds at 1.45 Monday afternoon at the Guildhall, North Entrance, Livery Hall.

Earlier, at the Main Entrance opposite Gresham Street at 1pm campaigners will be congregating to protest the Committee's proposed budget decisions. The Hampstead and Highgate Express and the Camden New Journal will be providing placards with posters.

Join us at these events.

At the same time on the same day, decisions about the pool in Hendy in South Wales will be made - read more about this pool

Dive into Hampstead Ponds

webteam — Thu, 17 Feb 2005 05:11:08 GMT

Hampstead Heath Bathing Ponds - Photographs by Ruth Corney

At the Everyman Cinema Club January 22nd - March 5th 2005

Photographer Ruth Corney has spent the last 5 years photographing swimmers at the Heath. Her atmospheric photographs are of swimmers and the environs of the ponds. "It changes throughout the year," she said. "In the winter it's beautiful, and I love it in the summer when it's boiling hot and you want to jump in".

The exhibition is at The Everyman Cinema Club, 5 Holly Bush Vale, Hampstead Village London NW3 6TX. Phone 08700 664777. The cinema is diagonally opposite Hampstead tube on the Northern Line. Opening hours 2pm till 10pm daily.

The exhibition runs until March 5th when there will be a showing of the Esther Williams film Dangerous When Wet and either a celebration of free and open ponds or the launch of Phase 2 of the campaign

For further information email Ruth Corney or phone 07958 589229

Details of Photographs

The photographs in this exhibition are all limited editions (there will be a maximum of 5 prints available per image). All profits from the sale of these photographs to to the London Pools Campaign and to the Save the Ponds Campaign

Hampstead swimmers can see the kites flying

webteam — Tue, 18 Jan 2005 16:59:05 GMT

After last week's article in the Evening Standard campaigners on the Heath find themselves confused by the various yarns being spun that have kites on the end of them. A source close to the campaign has written to us about the stories circulating in the press.
Yet again, more rumours from the Corporation – just before Christmas the Evening Standard told us the Ponds had been “saved” - according to their Corporation sources.
When swimmers groups challenged Corporation officers and Catherine MacGuinness, chairman of the Hampstead Heath Management Committee about this information their reply was that ...

is there a solution being prepared for the ponds?

webteam — Sun, 16 Jan 2005 04:39:08 GMT

The Evening Standard claims 'sources' within the Corporation are ready to offer a compromise deal to resolve the situation, on Hampstead Heath, many people feel they have created. Here's the clipping.

The Swimmer at the Everyman January 22nd

pool@... — Fri, 14 Jan 2005 01:08:17 GMT

On January 22nd there will be a special screening of the 1968 classic film "The Swimmer" at the Everyman Cinema in Hampstead. There will be special guests including Roger Deakin, celebrated author of "Waterlog". Also private view of photographs taken by Ruth Corney of life at the bathing ponds on the Heath. The exhibition will run for 1 month, and includes pictures featured in the diary produced for the Hampstead Ponds Campaign (see news item below).

Doors open at 12:30pm. Tickets £10:00 (concessions available). All profits go to the London Pools Campaign and the Save the Ponds Campaign. This event is organised by the Save the Ponds Campaign. Tickets on the door, or in advance, please send cheque and SAE to Liz Hughes, London Pools Campaign, c/o HCD, Unit D1, 3 Bradbury St, London N16 8JN. For more information please contact Ruth Corney 07958 589 229.

Get the best swimmers' diary of 2005 & write down these dates!

webteam — Fri, 17 Dec 2004 23:47:47 GMT

Here's a chance to get a wonderful new diary just at the moment when your old one is reaching the end of its usefulness. For a close-up click here.

These beautiful pocket diaries, with 13 colour photos, produced by photographer Ruth Corney and designer Lyn Iglinksy cost £4.75 each. To purchase directly email Ruth Corney she will arrange for you to receive a calendar and even, to solve your last minute present decisions, the special rate of 4 for £10.

SIGN THE PETITION

Then write down these dates to help the campaigns for Ladywell Pool and the Hampstead Ponds!

January 10th at 7pm: Public meeting with Corporation of London at Hampstead Town Hall (Belsize Park Tube) at 7pm - seats available on a first come first serve basis. Please can as many swimmers as possible come

January 22nd at 12:30pm: The Everyman are showing "The Swimmer" (1968 Burt Lancaster film) as part of a day for the ponds- there will be guest speakers and exhibition of photographs from the ponds.

Hampstead Ponds get Glenda Jackson's support in Parliament

pool@... — Mon, 13 Dec 2004 16:52:17 GMT

Glenda Jackson MP has put forward this Early Day Motion in Parliament on Hampstead Heath Bathing Ponds

"That this House, mindful of the unique importance of the Heath and its facilities to the health and well-being of London and Londoners, shares the Government's commitment to the reduction of obesity and support for healthy exercise; calls upon the Government to discuss, with the Corporation of the City of London, how the threatened closure of the bathing ponds may be avoided; notes that such a closure is envisioned by the apparent lack of £65,000, an amount bearing no relation to the actual loss should Londoners be deprived of this passionately valued, much used and irreplaceable facility".

Ask your MP to support this motion - go to www.faxyourMP.com

Hampstead Ponds, Heavenly waters

webteam — Mon, 13 Dec 2004 16:40:47 GMT

"Michele Hanson is appalled by the threat to close London's unique and stunning Kenwood ladies' pond.

Imagine swimming with a kingfisher only four miles from Piccadilly Circus. That's what you can do at the Kenwood ladies' pond. But for how long? Swimmers from miles around are in uproar because the Corporation of London (CoL), which runs Hampstead Heath, is threatening to close it down, together with the men's and the mixed ponds."

Friday December 10, 2004

(Via The Guardian.)

Swimmers fight to save 'a national treasure'

webteam — Mon, 13 Dec 2004 16:35:09 GMT

"A fierce political battle has broken out over the future of the venerable bathing ponds on Hampstead Heath, which are regarded by many swimmers as a national treasure.
Dismayed swimmers have launched a campaign to save the ponds. They have been backed by north London MPs Glenda Jackson, Frank Dobson and Jeremy Corbyn."

Duncan Campbell and Hugh Muir, Friday December 10, 2004

(Via The Guardian.)

Ken says he'll look after Hampstead Ponds

pool@... — Tue, 07 Dec 2004 16:32:59 GMT

The Mayor of London has offered to take control of Hampstead Heath in order to save its historic ponds.
In a letter to the Corporation of London, Ken Livingstone said there was no reason why he should not be in charge of the "key London asset". Every year, an estimated 200,000 people swim in the north London ponds which have been used since the 1860s.

Mr Livingstone said: "If the Corporation seriously cannot find the resources to fulfil their duty to maintain these facilities on Hampstead Heath, I would be happy for them to be transferred back to London government".

Via [The BBC website]

Corporation issues clarifier on Hampstead Ponds proposals

webteam — Sat, 27 Nov 2004 03:43:27 GMT

"And here I come to the three ponds. These are of course a wonderful and cherished tradition and part of what makes the Heath special. But they are also far and away our most expensive recreational facility."

A letter, written by Catherine McGuinness, Chairman of Hampstead Heath Management Committee, appeared in the Camden New Journal on 25 November 2004. The full letter is available to view on the Corporation of London website.
If you are considering contacting the Corporation of London about this issue, we would be grateful if you could read this article first.
Jamie Smith
Web Officer
Corporation of London

Catherine McGuinness can be contacted by email or by writing to the Corporation of London, Guildhall, London EC2P 2EJ.

Consultative Committee will be held at 7.00pm on Monday 29 November in The William Ellis School Hall, Highgate Road, London NW5 1RN.

Letters to the Corporation

webteam — Tue, 23 Nov 2004 19:12:36 GMT

We are receiving copies of letters that you, the swimmers of London, are sending to the Corporation of London who are considering closing the mixed pond to swimming

Harry Eyres (slow lane correspondent Financial Times) [LINK]

Roger Deakin (author of WATERLOG) [LINK]

Christopher Twigg [LINK]

Threat to mixed ponds

webteam — Thu, 18 Nov 2004 20:31:39 GMT

Campaigners on Hampstead Heath are concerned that proposals for the closure of the mixed pond may get the go-ahead at next week's meeting with the Corporation.

"Without any prior consultation with representatives of the Heath swimming groups, the Director of Open Spaces of the Corporation of London is recommending to the Hampstead Heath Management Committee that, for reasons of economy, the Committee resolve, at its meeting on Monday 22 November 2004, to permanently close the Mixed Pond and to dismantle its swimming amenity.

This closure will deprive thousands of swimmers of their traditional summer swimming and will also frustrate implementation of the proposal for self-regulated swimming (that is, swimming without lifeguards) during the winter by members of the Hampstead Heath Winter Swimming Club."

King Arthur the legendary pike who is said to have his home in the mixed pond was unavailable for comment at the time of posting.

If you object to the proposal to close the Mixed Pond, please write to:- The Town Clerk, Corporation of London, P.O. Box 270, Guildhall, London EC2P 2EJ or have your say by emailing David Milnes at the Corporation of London.

Swimmers fight for the right to an early dip

webteam — Thu, 04 Nov 2004 06:45:40 GMT

The ladies and gentlemen of Hampstead have been taking to the heath's ponds since the 19th century. From first light, they have braved the bracing waters for a pre-work dip come rain, snow or even ice.

But now a foe more fearsome than the elements threatens their traditional pursuit - the law on health and safety. By Patrick Sawer, Evening Standard, 3 November 2004

(Via Thisislondon.com.)

PARLIAMENT HILL LIDO - COUNCIL APPROVES CHANGES

webteam — Thu, 29 Jul 2004 15:51:31 GMT

Camden Council have approved the scheme to make the Parliament Hill Lido no deeper than 2m and the shallows (ie less than 1m) extend for 40% of the length - and to remove the diving boards. Work starts on 6 September with the intended re-opening April 2005. Peter Cuming from the campaign that fought the changes comments "All public representations have been disregarded ....We will end up with a spruced up pool with roughly half the volume, no heating and the near certainty of colder swimming in the future".

HAMPSTEAD PONDS

Peter also reports that at the Men's Pond on the Heath blue green algae has halted all swimming until further notice and at the Mixed Pond the City's undertaking to allow unregulated (ie no lifeguards) swimming has been abandoned on legal advice.