London Pools Campaign: Ladywell Leisure Centre

How to answer the unanswerable consultation

webteam — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 16:31:34 GMT

Every now and again we think we have probably posted our last piece of news on Lewisham's swimming pools, and then up pops another issue in the long-running campaigns there. From afar the newly ennobled Sir Steve Bullock's administration does seem to be characterised by discussions of Ladywell. The local pool group now feel that the latest consultation on the future of pools in the borough lacks the key elements that, in their opinion, constitute 'discussion'. It is important to click through and get the full story from the original posting.

Click Here
and you will automatically create an email addressed to the people running the consultation on Ladywell Pool and send one copy to us, the Mayor and the local press.

(Via save Ladywell Pool How to anwser the unanswerable consultation: .)

The great Ladywell press review

webteam — Wed, 20 Dec 2006 03:07:47 GMT

The diary page of today's Guardian reports to the nation on some hilarious spin offs and follow ups to the end of our campaign that have entertained Lewisham in the past few weeks.
When, last May, Labour's control of Lewisham council ended after 35 years, it was widely assumed that the slump in support for Mr Tony's men was due in no small part to a bitter battle over the fate of the popular Ladywell baths, which Labour mayor Steve Bullock was hellbent on demolishing to make way for a new school, and residents were determined to keep. Despite swearing that he would 'not be changing his mind', Cllr Bullock last month did, announcing that the pool would stay open, the school would be built elsewhere, and that this was, of course, 'the result I was always striving for'. The Save Ladywell Pool Campaign, he added magnanimously, was 'a great example of how local people can get their views heard'. Oddly, the mayor told Time Out that the campaign, led by 'a very small group of backward-looking people', was 'pathetic'. Presumably to put an end to all this confusion, the front page of Lewisham Labour Action now proudly proclaims: 'Mayor Saves Ladywell Pool.' Fancy that!
Here's a link to the tactfully entitled 'Mayor Saves Ladywell Pool' Labour Party leaflet and here instead you can read the News Shopper article clarifying what particular manoeuvre of the Mayor did it.
Here's instead a link to the article on the Time Out magazine published on the same day of the decision to keep Ladywell Pool open where the Mayor declared that the campaign is erm...pathetic.
We finish this press review with a picture of a group of campaigners on the front page of the Mercury with the wonderful title 'it's job done'.

(Via save Ladywell Pool The great press review: .)

Ladywell Pool Saved!

webteam — Thu, 09 Nov 2006 08:07:14 GMT

from the SAVE LADYWELL POOL website
The Mayor of Lewisham Steve Bullock decided to keep Ladywell Pool open until the forecast replacement to be built at Lewisham Centre is actually delivered.
More details to follow soon."

(Via save Ladywell Pool Ladywell Pool Saved!: .)

Consultation warning from Save Ladywell Pool

pool@... — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 23:03:53 GMT

Today is the last day of the consultation by Lewisham Council on the proposed replacement for Ladywell Pool. Here is the advice from the Save Ladywell Pool Campaign

In short the Council wants to build a few blocks of flats and close Ladywell Pool so that they can build even more flats. In exchange they'll build a small pool in the basement of one of the blocks in front of the station and they now ask us all to fill in a questionnaire so that they can then say that we asked for it.

We are now producing an additional set of questions that we'll ask people to fill in and deliver together with the questionnaire as an additional comment so that in their report they are forced to write down at least some of the things that people think of it.

Read our articles here and here for advice on filling in the questionniare

The consultation ends on Wednesday 30th October 2006.

Candidates Pledge Ladywell Pool Support (from News Shopper)

webteam — Wed, 08 Mar 2006 01:15:52 GMT

"Lewisham mayoral candidates are pledging their support to the Save Ladywell Pool campaign. Reporter SAMANTHA PAYNE spoke to them about their plans for the pool if they win the elections.

Since it started in July 2004, the Save Ladywell Pool campaign has fought hard against the leisure centre being knocked down to make way for a new secondary school in the borough.

Campaign leader Max Calo sent a petition with 5,300 signatories to the council opposing the closure of the pool."

(Via Candidates Pledge Pool Support (from News Shopper): .)

'learn how to' - Save Ladywell Pool

webteam — Fri, 03 Feb 2006 18:47:03 GMT

"After learning to swim at Crystal Palace and Forest Hill Baths, I went on to swim at Ladywell with my primary school, and use Ladywell as a leisure pool thereafter. I am not really a keen sportsperson, and I don't like chlorine swimming baths, so I no longer swim - but when I pass Ladywell on the bus towards Catford I recognize what an important social hub Ladywell is.

Like anyone who keenly reads the local paper to follow the latest, I was originally stunned to see that it could be demolished.
I have just taken another look at Save Ladywell Pool and I must congratulate all who have created a showcase of positive community campaigning. I strongly urge all teachers, campaigners, heritage, ecology and community advocates to spend at least 20 minutes exploring the quality and depth of this website. Notice the care that has been taken to create appropriate weblinks to quoted documents and persons. Main topics are grouped with a clear menu. There is a discussion forum.
Whatever the fate of the pool, make sure that this outstanding civic resource can be appraised and modeled - to allow other awareness campaigns to flourish, and the local electctorate a new participatory vehicle."

(Via The Ragged School Blog 'learn how to' - Save Ladywell Pool: .)

Pool campaigner has child in Lewisham Pool!

webteam — Mon, 19 Dec 2005 20:30:59 GMT

Born to Brenda and Max Calo of the Save Ladywell Pool Campaign a baby girl yesterday - one more campaigner signed up for the struggle! We are told water temperature and quality were perfect.

FUN events at Ladywell this weekend

webteam — Thu, 08 Dec 2005 17:54:59 GMT

click the image to see the poster full size or click to visit the Ladywell celebrations page

shut pools cost money too

webteam — Mon, 07 Nov 2005 08:26:58 GMT

We make no pretence at understanding the full story at Ladywell as it unfolds but with rumours and promises that the council will reopen, rebuild and close pools in Lewisham the waters are certainly becoming muddied.

Much talk at the moment seems to be about the decision-making process and accountability to date. We learn that it is alleged that the council have been paying the contractor to keep the Turkish Baths at Ladywell Leisure Centre closed as they were not included in recent works to refurbish the building and remove asbestos.

This mirrors unconfirmed allegations that Hackney Council continued to pay Leisure Connection for the closed Clissold Leisure Centre and the money it is costing to keep pools like Hornsey Road Baths, Haggerston Pool and Marshall Street closed.

So while we are being told that there is no money to build, refurbish or keep open swimming pools there must, as always, be money to pay for them to be kept shut.
click image to enlarge

Breaking news - Ladywell Pool shut as roof gives in

Max Calo — Thu, 13 Oct 2005 19:43:36 GMT

Ladywell Pool in Lewisham was shut yesterday morning as the roof above the learners' pool bowed into an uncharacteristic shape.

There was substantial work carried-out to the ceilings and roof voids last year last year at a cost of £1.2million. [PROJECT FILE LINK]

Reception staff at the pool told us that the main pool would re-open soon and they were right it reopened that evening.

Swimming pool rescue for bullock

webteam — Fri, 09 Sep 2005 19:48:43 GMT

We read this from the Save Ladywell Pool website and thought that Lewisham Mayor Steve Bullock had finally seen sense and saved Ladywell Leisure Centre - but it was really bullocks.

BBC NEWS - Swimming pool rescue for bullock:
...Resident Leanne Jones, 28, returned from work after her mother called, frantic about the unwanted guest in the pool.
'We were very, very shocked to see him there. We think he was there for a few hours all together.
'He was swimming around the shallow end so he definitely earned his 50m badge. I think half of the village turned up to see it all.'...
...Abercarn station officer Derwyn Jones said he had never dealt with an incident like it in his 31 years with the fire service.
'We've dealt with sheep, horses and dogs in swimming pools but never cows or bullocks.
'Between us all we managed to get the bullock out quite easily...he looked quite happy in there.'
A spokesman for the RSPCA said: 'Very often we get calls about cows going into rivers or falling down cliffs but this is highly unusual'.
"

(Via save Ladywell Pool Swimming pool rescue for bullock: .)

Triathlon team delivers good results

webteam — Mon, 22 Aug 2005 17:42:28 GMT

On Saturday 6th August the Save Ladywell Pool Triathlon team achieved an excellent result in the London Triathlon and ended the race ranking 80th out of 160 teams competing in the Olympic relay speciality.

Nick Ingham swam the 1500 mt distance in 38:50 minutes.
Transition swim-bike 3:14
Ed Simpson cycled 40k in 1:11:08
Transition bike-run 1:26
Max Calò ran 10k in 47:02
Total 2:41:37

Read the full results here

(Via save Ladywell Pool Triathlon team delivers good results: .)

Save Ladywell Pool Triathlon Relay Team

Max Calo — Wed, 03 Aug 2005 21:54:48 GMT

This year the London Triathlon will have amongst its participants a Save Ladywell Pool relay team.

Nick Ingham will swim 1500 mt, Ed Simpson will cycle for 40k and Max Calò will run 10k to save their local pool.

They'll raise funds for London Sports Forum for Disabled People in addition to raising awareness of the fatal risk of closure that the Ladywell Leisure Centre is facing.

Here's the link to make a donation to LSF

You can also decide to come down to Docklands to see this spectacular event.
Nearest DLR Custom House.
Here's the map of the route of the race.

This year the London triathlon will be a great event with over 5000 athletes competing over Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th.

The Save Ladywell Pool team race starts with a big splash into Royal Victoria Dock at 3:30 pm on Saturday 6th August.

Surreal Self-promotion

webteam — Thu, 23 Jun 2005 05:32:12 GMT

Wavelengths’ Olympic swimming gala:'Cllr Alyson McGarrigle, Cabinet Member for Culture; British Olympic swimmer, Sarah Price; and Tony the Tiger are inviting everyone down to Wavelengths pool for what promises to be a Gr-r-reat day.'

2012 Olympic bid to be judged by Mayor: 'Steve Bullock, Mayor of Lewisham, will chair VIP judges at Crossways Academy on 24 June to decide which city, represented by gifted and talented pupils from the Crossways Federation, will scoop the glittering prize of being chosen as 2012 Olympic host.'

These two news item from Lewisham Council website suggest us that Steve Bullock and his closest associates want to be seen around Lewisham shaking hands and hugging babies.

Considering that the Bullock led Council has broken the world record of shameless hypocrisy by backing the demolition of the flagship swimming centre in the borough and the Olympic bid at the same time, you would think that they would steer clear of these sort of events.

Evidently Tony the Tiger isn't the only one to show his thick skin around Lewisham this week-end.

(Via save Ladywell Pool Surreal Self-promotion: .)

Lewisham swimming pool plans due soon

webteam — Wed, 30 Mar 2005 16:45:10 GMT

"PLANS for new swimming pools in Deptford and Forest Hill are set to be released next week as part of a bid to improve leisure services.
Steve Bullock exclusively told News Shopper he is committing 'at the very least' to a new lane-swimming pool in Deptford to complement the fun pool currently in use.
He also revealed he will ask the residents of Forest Hill how they would like to see their Victorian pool improved.
Keen to find out what swimmers and leisure users want, he plans to carry out a consultation this summer before any work is started which will explore renovating the existing site or building a completely new pool.
The report is expected to touch on the planned Lewisham Gateway pool, the replacement for Ladywell Leisure Centre which will be demolished to build a new secondary school.
Kristine Taylor, founder of Save Forest Hill Pools Campaign, said: 'This news sounds very hopeful and I'd be interest in who they are consulting.'"

(Via News Shopper: News and Features: Lewisham & Greenwich: Swimming pool plans due soon, Toby Nation.)

The mayor of Lewisham has been talking about what the council may do and it is posted on the Save Ladywell Pool website

report from Lewisham

webteam — Thu, 21 Oct 2004 20:32:28 GMT

A report from Max Caló from the Ladywell Campaign on last night's Lewisham Council meeting

"Yesterday's meeting of Lewisham Council saw the majority reject two motions objecting to the plan to demolish the Ladywell Leisure Centre. The public gallery was packed with supporters of the Save Ladywell Pool campaign. The secretary of the campaign put a question from the public about the lack of consultation and impact study of the dismissal of Lewisham's best pool. The Campaign felt that the question was evaded. In the supplementary question, explanations about the political and legal background of the decision were requested. Again, in the opinion of the campaigners in the Council Chamber, the Council responded ignoring the question and speaking of something else.
Many Labour councillors stayed at home, but as Lewisham's council has an overwhelming majority the Mayor managed to put together a group of councillors big enough to back what many see as his decision. Shame, shame, shame. This is what Lewisham's people told them all the way through the council meeting."

For the full report click here

We, at LPC, are left wondering now if this means that yet another London swimming pool is slated for closure and demolition in the run in to the submission of a bid to host the Olympic Games in seven years.

ladywell Campaign to "HELP THEM SEE THE LIGHT"

webteam — Mon, 18 Oct 2004 17:39:45 GMT

"The Save Ladywell Pool Campaign is organizing a candlelight vigil of the Lewisham Council meeting on Wednesday 20 October that will vote on the closure of this beautiful pool in South East London.
It is hoped that this will HELP THEM SEE THE LIGHT
Lewisham Council owns the Ladywell Leisure Centre site and want to demolish the centre in order to build a new secondary school and possibly sell part of the land for housing development. The Council doesn't plan to provide a replacement of the leisure facility until at least 2010.
During the vigil the New School Campaign will project on the facade of the Town Hall a presentation of alternative sites that have been identified for this purpose and about the distribution of school provision and children in Lewisham Borough. Their study demonstrates that a school on the site of the LLC would be built in the wrong place.
All the opposition groups at the Council support the protest. The candlelight vigil starts at 6:30 pm outside Catford Town Hall."

In time for the candlelight-vigil the Ladywell campaigners have produced a range of 'badged' candles - and very nice they are too and one can be yours. You can choose from 'the Ladywell' £1, the supporter £5, and the campaigner £10. .

SAVE LADYWELL POOL CAMPAIGN SETS UP A GEAR

pool@... — Mon, 06 Sep 2004 23:44:33 GMT

Lewisham Council have announced plans to demolish Ladywell Leisure Centre in 2007 - though it has just undergone a £1.8million refurbishment. After a summer of gathering of strength, the Save Ladywell Pool Campaign is now looking for answers from Lewisham Council. In the next week there's a packed schedule of events.

On Wednesday 8th September at 5 pm exhibition opening at the Life Café and Masons bar in Ladywell road, just off Ladywell train station - titled Pools Now and Then - this is a photo exhibition of London's closed and threatened pools and is also an event in support of the London Pools Campaign.

On the same day, at 7 pm the third public meeting of the campaign will take place at the Ladywell Leisure Centre. This meeting will mainly focus on the organization of the events of the following week.

On Wednesday 15th September the campaign organises a protest march.

Here's the timetable of the event.

At 6 pm assembly outside the Ladywell Leisure Centre.
At 6:30 the demonstration starts moving towards Catford Town Hall (less then a mile).
At 7 the group will have reached the Town Hall ready to greet the councillors.
At 7:30 at the full Council meeting the Mayor of Lewisham will be presented with the petition signatures (3000 by now) and the Council will listen to a question from the public posed by a campaign spokesman. A motion from the opposition councillors asking the Council to reverse their decision about the planned closure of the Ladywell Leisure Centre will then be voted.

The Save Ladywell Pool Campaign say "We need everyone to come along to put as much pressure as possible on the overwhelming Labour majority in Lewisham Council".

More information from ladywellpool@hotmail.com

report from Sunday event at Ladywell

webteam — Mon, 02 Aug 2004 17:42:13 GMT

Most of them signed our petition, tasted the fruit salad and ice cream offered by the Ladywell pool Campaign and received the informations reguarding the background of the mayoral decision to demolish the Ladywell Leisure Centre. Many would be users of the pool, which didn't know about the closure for this event joined in what became a beatiful street party.

It's been a great afternoon, we made many new friends which will be participating actively on Thursday meeting.

We know now that we can count on a large number of people that is willing to give their Sunday to help the campaign. Better still thinking that they all had a very short notice about this event.

Threatened pool to host swimming festival

webteam — Sat, 31 Jul 2004 16:06:44 GMT

England swimmer, David Bennett will take the lead with (Katie Irving and Ben Scales), two young London mini games medalists as the cream of swimmers amongst Lewisham schoolchildren learn new swimming skills and techniques at Lewisham's 'Active Sports Swimming festival' at the threatened Ladywell Leisure Centre.

The aim of the programme is for swimming teachers to select children from Lewisham's school swimming programme, who have achieved Level 10 of the national teaching plan.

From the festival, talented swimmers will go on to a swimming development camp, where they will get six hours of free coaching.

The Ladywell campaigners will be 'taking tea' and making their case to visitors on the day click the headline for more information from the campaign.

Pool faces up to threat of closure

webteam — Tue, 27 Jul 2004 21:31:46 GMT

CAMPAIGNERS are to fight the proposed closure of Ladywell Leisure Centre.

Opponents of the plans, which will see the area without a swimming pool for at least three years, held a public meeting last Friday

Organiser Massimiliano Calò, who uses the pool everyday, started the campaign and petition after discovering the council will close it down in 2007 to make way for a new school. This is Local London] For our own Ladywell page click HERE

Ladywell Leisure Centre to be Demolished

pool@... — Thu, 15 Jul 2004 19:36:15 GMT

Ladywell Leisure Centre in Lewisham is to be demolished - despite having just re-opened following a £1.8 million, 20 month refurbishment. It is due to make way for a £22 million secondary school after a site originally earmarked for the scheme fell through.

Ladywell Leisure Centre is now due to shut in 2007, yet the promised new replacement leisure centre will not open until 2010.

A new campaign has been set up to stop the demolition of Ladywell Leisure Centre. The flyer is below. First meeting is at Ladywell Leisure Centre, 261 Lewisham High Street, SE13 on Friday 23rd July 2004 at 7pm. Everyone is welcome.

More information from Max on 0208 690 4242 or ladywellpool@hotmail.com

More...

Concerns over delays to new leisure centre

webteam — Tue, 13 Jul 2004 06:11:31 GMT

In a story that sounds familiar to the Clissold and Swiss Cottage sagas Ladywell Leisure Centre may be closing before its replacement is ready...

COUNCIL inability to complete a project on time will see delays in replacing Ladywell Leisure Centre, a councillor claims. [Lib Dem opposition councillor Andrew Milton suggests it will be more than 3 years between Ladywell closing and new Lewisham Gateway pool opening.]
“The Downham Project, which will see a new leisure centre open in the south of the borough, has already been delayed by two years and is not expected to open until 2006.”
“Lewisham Mayor Steve Bullock has said he is already trying to push for the new Gateway Leisure Centre to be completed earlier than 2010 but no definitive date can be given until plans for the development are clarified.”

7 July 2004, News Shopper

We've started a Ladywell page that you can view by clicking HERE