London Pools Campaign: Lido News

Cold water Championships - book early

webteam — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 07:37:43 GMT

The South London Swimming Club is hosting the third UK Cold Water Swimming Championships on the 24 January 2009 at Tooting Bec Lido in South London.

Just as most sane people are hibernating for the winter, hundreds of swimmers will be braving water temperatures as low as 4 degrees centigrade. Taking on fellow cold water enthusiasts from around the UK and Europe, swimmers will go head-to-head in classic championship races such as the one-width head up breaststroke and 30m freestyle sprint at this year's event.

BOOK HERE

Save Portishead Open Air Pool

webteam — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 04:22:48 GMT

"This web site has been set up to help publicise the campaign to save the Portishead Open Air Pool, and to provide ways to coordinate all the various efforts people are making to take the fight to North Somerset council.

PLease note that everything with an asterisk * is either an idea or will be working soon. Please keep coming back as new information is being added nearly every day, and also send your ideas, pictures,copies of letter to councillors, MPs and the media, etc. etc.. To email me (David Coombes) click this link. Please also visit Roger Whitfield's Save the Pool web site (http://www.nortechcomputers.co.uk/pool/), which amongst other things has information about the campaign for a Community Trust to run the pool."

(Via Save Portishead Open Air Pool: .)

A film about Hampton Pool

webteam — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 22:13:13 GMT

From the marvelous Lidos Yahoo Group

Anne O'Connell, a Twickenham-based film maker, wrote to Oliver yesterday:

"I wanted to let you know about a short documentary I have made about Hampton Pool. It is a 10 minute film featuring the ex-chair of the board of trustees talking about the local struggle to save the pool, and features some cine film of the pool from the 1920's and 1930's.

We are screening the film this Sunday 5th October at the pool at 10am and copies of the film will be on sale in the pool shop, price £3, with proceeds going to support the pool See http://www.hamptonpool.co.uk/ [The pool is open for swimming, as usual on Sundays from 9am to 5pm - and 365 days a year - OM.]

It would be great if members of the Lidos Yahoo Group could tell people about this new film.

The film will also be shown at "Arthur's on the Green" (a restaurant in Twickenham) as part of their film nights:

Lido Photos to see and enjoy

webteam — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 01:09:55 GMT

Oliver Merrington tells us "Steve Hanson has spent the best part of the last two years photographing some of the existing lidos. Let him know what you think. Some of the work can be found on his website..Ultimately he would like these published as a book, but seem to be struggling at the moment, with the political climate in such a state..."

ASA Swimtastic 'Community Project of the year' goes to Chipping Norton Lido

webteam — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 20:44:01 GMT

And such a community ...
"Chipping Norton Lido is one of the few remaining open-air pools in the country and when it was threatened with closure members of the local community campaigned to keep the facility open. A dedicated group of local residents now manage the pool, which has become a real social enterprise success story and is well –regarded for its work with young people."

(Via ASA celebrates Swimtastic Achievements / News / Home - ASA South West: .)

Pool Reopening Back (Wood Green Banbury)

webteam — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 17:50:40 GMT

"The possible re-opening of Wood Green pool in Banbury moved a step closer this week; the working party that has been investigating repair and running costs,"

(Via lidos at Yahoo! Groups Pool Reopening Back (Wood Green): .)

The Great British Lido

webteam — Sat, 13 Oct 2007 19:48:47 GMT

Countryfile tomorrow Oct 14th will include a report on the Great British Lido

BBC1 11am Countryfile Sunday Oct 14th

Do not swim in this pool - we like it just like it is

webteam — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 08:21:55 GMT

We are a week into autumn so by posting this information now we are hoping that you will have all forgotten about it by next year's holidays. That way there should not be hordes of new users there then. We are fairly confident that not many people who have attempted the Paddy Buckley read this website so we would like to tell you about some of the finest acres in the British Isles, Croesor. Croesor is at the head of a valley so beautiful we are lost for words.

It is at the foot of Cnicht, a hill that from the right spot looks like a famous pointy mountain in somewhere foreign – from the summit you can see clear to Ireland. The village of Croesor has a very active community who have built their own lido slap in the middle of Snowdonia against the will and the might of local authority and facility manager gauleiters.

The Guardian swimming supplement (outdoors is so radical!) missed this one.

In April 1963, to create a safe swimming area for local children who were always sloping off down the valley to lovely pools where they were at greater risk and out of sight, local resident Tudor Owen started digging a hole in a very hard bit of Wales. Insurance, grants, local authoriity support, forget it. Children might happily clamber over rocks in the beck - but a pool - without lifeguards in Snowdonia where they leave some of the most beautiful bits of Britain outside in all weathers - forget it.

By redirecting the stream into a whole dug with a JCB and using a big paddle to block the outflow, a swimming pool was created through which the water flows as you swim. Over the years with a bit of cement here and a few stone flags there the community built itself a container for a bit of occasional, friendly and fresh sheen to slip through and enjoy. The River Authority used to be in charge of the water that flowed through the village but the sums they wanted to allow water for generating power had caused a woolen mill downstream from Croesor to go back onto the National Grid. This meant some stealth was required in the early years but more recently the Environment Agency has had a more lenient and affordable approach to non-profit organisations.

Still entered through a simple, unlocked kissing gate beside the footy pitch behind the primary school the pool has gradually changed and developed since 1963. The pool is not always full and relies on weather, water flow in the river and Tudor getting it ready to use. As the health and safety wallahs have tweaked the project the loose shale floor had to go, the glaciated rock gently falling into the pool had to be sawn off in case someone slipped on the same stuff that litters mile after mile of Wales but there it is still working. After a run up and down Cnicht or the Moelwyns or as a stop off on the Paddy Buckley with a coffee and a bun from the Cyfeillion Croesor caffi that has grown from the community effort of the construction of the pool you could be in ... Croesor.

We recommend, full Welsh breakfast at Pete's Eats in Llanberis or Eric Jones's opposite the Tremadoc crag and then, from Croesor, legging it up Cnicht, then making as if toward Siabod until veering right to the old slate workings at the obvious place. There are several wonderful tarn pools on the route in which to swim, (or there are two delightful twin pools north west of Cnicht toward Llyn Dinas that must be the finest swimmable puddles in Wales). Then a long glorious descent back to Croesor toward the setting sun, pick up a coffee and a bun at the caffi and head for the pool.

If you bump into Tudor you will get a lesson in Welsh and the history of not only the pool but the whole area. Your job, if you go there, is to write the Croesor entry for Wikipedia.

Clissold Swimming Club (in Hackney) has 22 World Record Holders!

webteam — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 21:24:44 GMT

Seems the Guinness Book of Records people were kept busy by London swimmers this weekend. Clissold Swimmers worked alongside dozens of other London Swimmers to break the world record for the largest synchronised swim at London Fields Lido on Saturday. In beautiful sunshine swimmers aged from 7 through to our masters swimmers swam themselves into the Guinness Book of Records. Special congratulations to 10 year old Adam who was the only male swimmer in the pool on the day. A large audience were treated to a display by the European Champions and also the champions from the over-60s category at 71 years old.

The Guinness World Record attempt has opened up a new opportunity for Londoners to get involved in something new and exciting whilst aiming to make synchronised swimming more accessible to anyone who would like to have a go. The Big Sync will bring together the young, and the not so young, to work together, have some fun and achieve a new world record.

(Via CSC news Clissold Swimming Club has 22 World Record Holders!: .)

Heritage Open Days - 7th/8th/9th sept 2007

webteam — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 00:58:15 GMT

Heritage Open Days - 7th/8th/9th sept 2007

This is a national annual event organised by the Civic Trust, It provides a welcome boost to many campaigns, as people can then see for themselves how fantastic it would be if places like Broomhill and Cleveland were restored and re-opened. It has also taken place at Haggerston and Marshall Street in London.

Broomhill first opened for these days in 2005 and over 700 people visited during the sat and sun; both archive photos and plans for the future were on display and we also now have James Sharpe's 4 minute film called "The Pool" made before the lido closed in 2002.

(available on You Tube)

Leisure Opportunities: Brockwell Lido

webteam — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 23:23:33 GMT

"Good write-up about Brockwell Lido in the Leisure Opportunites publication, emphasising all the different threads that have gone into making this a success."

(Via poolingresources at Yahoo! Groups AND ....Leisure Opportunities: Brockwell Lido: .)

Daily Rain Threatens Openair Pools Future (from The Northern Echo)

webteam — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 20:31:39 GMT

"VOLUNTEERS who run one of the last open-air swimming pools in the region are worried about going down a financial plughole because of one of the wettest summers on record.

Since it opened to the public nearly six weeks ago, only about 200 swimmers have turned up at the pool at Stanhope, in Weardale, County Durham."

(Via Daily Rain Threatens Openair Pools Future (from The Northern Echo): .)

Lido feeling the heat of cider

webteam — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 00:40:53 GMT

Shurely shome mishtake! we have heard of council officers claiming such initiatives were science-fiction pipe-dreams. Perhaps future proposals could see Council Chambers connected to Lido pipework.

"Mendip District Council and Avalon Leisure have teamed up with fruit cider-maker Brothers Drinks to warm Shepton Mallet's lido using recyled heat from the drinks factory."

(Via Leisure Opportunities News Lido feeling the heat of cider: .)

Mendip Council News

BBC Somerset News

Midlothian Advertiser

New Statesman - Liquid pleasure

webteam — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 06:11:27 GMT

"It takes 114 strokes of front crawl to swim from one end to the other. Through tinted goggles, the intense blueness seems more subtropical than south London, but, pausing for breath at the shallow end, beyond the roar of the fountain, one can just make out the rumble of the London-to-Brighton line."

(Via New Statesman - Liquid pleasure: .)

POOLING RESOURCES launched

webteam — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 17:55:29 GMT

Pooling Resources was launched on 4th February 2007 in response to the feedback received from two major conferences: "Reviving Lidos" (March 2006) and "Making a Splash: National Campaigners' Conference (June 2006)

It aims to provide news and information on pool campaigns, cutbacks, & closures across the country, whilst highlighting success stories like the re-opening of Droitwich Lido, the 70th Birthday Celebrations at Brockwell Park and the renewed hope for Woodgreen Pool in Banbury.

The Yahoo Forum Group is the first stage of this project, with a fully fledged website to follow. (Sponsorship welcomed!)

Sally Wainman is the Founder and Moderator of this group and hopes that all those interested in the future of Britain's swimming pools - indoor/outdoor; historic/modern; closed/open - will feel encouraged by the formation of this new venture.

Flooding in Yorkshire

webteam — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 19:48:48 GMT

While we regret the suffering and tragedy that much of England was suffering due to heavy rain and in no way want to make light of that we, just like the BBC, were struck by the possibility of a Sheffield Wednesday Swimming Club swimming at Hillsborough Lido.

Lidos for cool kids

webteam — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 14:07:33 GMT

"Last summer, sweltering in London, we found lidos were the perfect way to beat the hosepipe ban and keep our two young children from melting.

Unable to fill the paddling pool, we would pile the children into the car along with a picnic, rugs, towels and inflatable balls and head off to one of the country's 100 or so open air swimming pools."

(Via Lidos for cool kids-Global-TimesOnline : .)

New £1.5m lido to open

webteam — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 17:25:44 GMT

"A new lido in Worcestershire is due to open seven years after the previous one closed.

The Droitwich Lido has a 40m (131ft) by 18m (60ft) heated outdoor swimming pool, beach area, fountain and wet play area for children.
Wychavon District Council has invested £1.5m in the project which has a new reception and cafe and opens on Monday. The council has now handed the site over to Wychavon Leisure, which will manage the facility on its behalf."

(Via New Lido to open )

Jubilee Pool Penzance

webteam — Sat, 02 Jun 2007 03:02:44 GMT

"The pool is open every summer from the end of May to early September, providing a fabulous venue for swimming, sunbathing or simply relaxing by the poolside.

A small ‘baby pool’ set within the main pool provides an ideal environment for children to enjoy the water in safety.
There is a delightful poolside café which is open all day, enjoy freshly prepared food, from coffee and refreshments, lunch to an evening meal with the pool as spectacular backdrop."

(Via Jubilee Pool Penzance: .)

Campaign Group Bows Out In Style (from Droitwich Advertiser)

webteam — Sat, 26 May 2007 17:47:35 GMT

Unfortunately the re-opening of the Lido has been delayed - we understand that, sadly, there has been some vandalism damage on the site that needs to be rectified. We have no official revised date but there are strong rumours that it may be the end of June.

"THE campaign group which has been instrumental in saving Droitwich Spa's landmark Lido swimming pool is now disbanding after achieving its goal. SALT (Save A Lido Today), which is made up of town residents, was set up to get the Spa's Lido open once again."
"SALT would like to thank all our supporters, also the thousands who voted to reinstate the Lido in the parish poll. I am convinced the result of which greatly influenced the decision to reopen the Lido, albeit with a new modernised look.

(Via SALT Campaign Campaign Group Bows Out In Style (from Droitwich Advertiser): .)

Droitwich Lido reopening approaches

webteam — Fri, 11 May 2007 07:02:53 GMT

Re-opening this summer. - posted - 8th May 2007

We still have no official date for the opening of the Lido but have received information giving the following;

Opening times; Monday to Friday 11am-7.30pm, Saturday and Sunday 10am-5pm. Prices Adult £3.50, Junior/over 60's £2.00 Children 2-5years £1.00, under 2years-free.

Looking across from the park the Lido looks very inviting. We eagerly await the opening date and will advise as soon as possible.

Latest photos can be viewed HERE, You can visit the Lido Campaign's website at Droitwich Salt Lido

A message to Seaton from Ladywell Pool Campaign's Max Calò

webteam — Thu, 03 May 2007 06:22:15 GMT

In Lewisham last year a pool campaign changed the local council. That night eleven seats within walking distance from the pool changed colour.

Max Calò has read the posting below this one and says,

"Good luck to the good people of Seaton.

It's election day for many local authorities across the Country and it's one year since our local elections here in Lewisham.

One year ago, our campaign to save our local swimming pool entered the electoral arena, but not with a list or a pet candidate, we did it with a voice. And the voice was saying that the old lot didn't work for us and needed changing. We realised that we are the local community and we can influence an election.

That night eleven seats within walking distance from the pool changed colour and a long-standing majority party became minority. It's the same Mayor, he got re-elected but without the usual landslide.

For the local Labour Party that electoral result came as a shock. The single-party local authority previously known as the People's Republic of Lewisham had become pluralistic.

Things are better here now, it's far from ideal but there is a higher degree of scrutiny of the Mayor's decisions. We even managed to keep our swimming pool open.

Power to the people. People who are free to vote for whoever they think does the job best. Free from nonsensical loyalty to a group that can only deliver the Government Agenda.

It's your community, elect some of yours, not theirs."

LINK

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Art Deco Pool is a National Architectural Gem

webteam — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 21:43:19 GMT

"Simple yet stylish - one of Scotland's three surviving outdoor seaside swimming pools has been recognised for its outstanding architectural and historic importance.

Historic Scotland has awarded category A-listed status to the Tarlair tidal pool complex, east of Macduff, in Aberdeenshire.

Dr Debbie Mays, Historic Scotland inspector of historic buildings, said: "Tarlair is especially interesting because of its simple yet stylish Art Deco design which has remained pretty well intact through the decades."
The complex is also important because it is an early one, and because it included a boating pool as well as the ones for swimming and paddling.'"

(Via Historic Scotland News: .)

How life-saving deal rescued lido from the tide of history

webteam — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 18:59:45 GMT

"Britain's largest tidal seaside lido has been saved from closure.

Funding for the Jubilee Pool, an Art Deco masterpiece built in the 1930s, was to be cut by Penwith District Council because the authority could not afford to run both the lido and a multimillion-pound indoor leisure centre built in the Cornish town two years ago.

The council had proposed restricting the lido's opening times this year to just six weeks during the summer holiday but locals feared that this would result in the lido's eventual closure."

(Via How life-saving deal rescued lido from the tide of history: News-UK-TimesOnline: .)

Stand for your pool? Local elections 2007

webteam — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 04:29:04 GMT

"Nominations for this year's local elections close on 4th April at noon, so there is still time to contact your local Council if you would like to stand as a local candidate. It is free to stand in local elections and anyone may put themselves forward as an Independent Candidate or a Save my Pool Candidate providing 10 people within your chosen ward/district will sign the Nomination paper.

I am hoping to stand again, for the fifth year running, so please e-mail me if you would like further details; the basic costs are a set of leaflets and a lot of exercise walking round to deliver them!!"

(Via lidos at Yahoo! Groups Stand for your pool? Local elections 2007: .)

Tide turns for old outdoor pool in Scotland

webteam — Wed, 14 Mar 2007 18:18:07 GMT

"An art deco outdoor swimming pool at Tarlair in Aberdeenshire has been given the top status by Historic Scotland.

The tidal pool, built in the 1930s, has been granted category A-listed status because of its architectural and historic importance."

(Via BBC NEWS | Scotland | North East/N Isles | Tide turns for old outdoor pool: .)

Daventry Lido - Piece of Town's History Torn Down

pool@... — Mon, 22 Jan 2007 19:43:37 GMT

MONDAY JANUARY 22 - A PILE of rubble is all that remains of Daventry Outdoor Pool this week as bulldozers finally tore down the much-loved building.

After removing tiles from the roof earlier this month, demolition workers brought in heavy machinery and began knocking down the walls at the site off Chaucer Way.The demolition stepped up a gear on Thursday – just as Conservative leader David Cameron visited the town to learn about the successes of local recycling.

Campaigner Bill Spencer, chairman of the Swimming Pool Association, said he was 'sickened' by the final loss of the facility., which was opened after a massive fundraising drive by district residents.

"Forty years it has been here and only for the council to come and knock it all down. Disgusting. It makes me sick," he said.

The site is to be transformed into a 240-space temporary car park, while other car parks in the town are developed as part of the Town Centre Vision.

Daventry Express

icWales - Lido seeks cash lifeline or risks going under

webteam — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 18:47:38 GMT

"ONE of the last lidos in Wales will be filled in this spring if a planned deal to save it falls by the wayside.
The local authority is denying backing out of the agreement to help campaigners trying to save one of the last of the historic outdoor pools in Wales.
The pool at Hendy, near Llanelli in Carmarthenshire, has not been in use since 2002, and needs to be completely rebuilt if it is to be put back in operation."

(Via icWales - Lido seeks cash lifeline or risks going under : .)

Winter Swim Championships to leave Finland for Tooting Bec?

pool@... — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 21:36:01 GMT

Soumen LATU (Finnish Outdoor Winter Sports Association) has invited the South London Swimming Club, based at Tooting Bec Lido, to host the 2008 World Winter Swimming Championships. Soumen LATU has overseen the annual Finnish National since 1984 and the biennial World Championships since 1992. In 2006 the championships attracted entrants from 18 countries. A member of the SLSC said "This could be a fantastic opportunity to raise the profile of swimming in London and the UK generally as it is sure to attract a lot of press interest".

SLSC committee are currently canvasing the membership on this - watch this space!

Historic London lido to mark centenary with free swims

pool@... — Tue, 12 Sep 2006 20:35:14 GMT

London's largest outdoor pool was today preparing to host a weekend of free swimming-inspired activities to celebrate 100 years of serving the capital's communities.

This weekend, September 16 and 17, Tooting Bec Lido will open its turnstiles to the public for free swimming sessions, an art exhibition, a talk on the history of the pool and a tree planting ceremony.

The lido, which has been celebrating its centenary this summer, was the first open-air pool to be built on London County Council land.

Originally known as the Tooting Bathing Lake, the project was devised by the Reverend John Hendry Anderson, who was the rector of Tooting between 1897 and 1913, as a means of helping the unemployed.

The lido is almost twice the length of an Olympic pool and contains one million gallons of unheated water.

Dive In Movies - celebrating Tooting Bec Lido centenary

pool@... — Sat, 29 Jul 2006 01:30:30 GMT

South London Swimming Club celebrate the centenary of Tooting Bec Lido with a weekend of films at the lido.

Since the earliest days of cinema, swimming pools have been a source of fascination for film makers, allowing for an irresistible combination of dreams, longings and all manner of watery worlds and adventures. Many of early cinema’s first screen star celebrities were swimmers – athletic heroes and heroines such as Annette Kellerman, Buster Crabbe, and Johnny Weissmuller capturing the public’s imaginations in all their bathing-suited gorgeousness.

Projecting films onto a giant air-screen in the garden beside the Lido, DIVE-IN MOVIES celebrates one hundred years of features, shorts and archive footage, all featuring swimming pools and swimming. Ticket price to include a swim in the magnificent 100 yard pool, a Centenary drink and an evening of film.

Lidos Lose Lottery Lolly

webteam — Thu, 11 May 2006 17:55:41 GMT

"Is the health and welfare of Manchester United's team more important than your own? Well, we know of a few misguided folks who might answer yes, but that's not the point. In today's Guardian Janet Smith, author of Liquid Assets, offers the information that whilst Man Utd Ltd Inc or whatever they are these days was recently awarded £30, 000 to Improve the health of its staff from Sport England - those nice folks who've been distributing £2.2 billion of lottery money to sports since 1994 - not a single lotto penny in 12 years has been spent on any of our open air swimming pools.

Today Ms Smith will be presenting a summary of the Reviving Lidos conference to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, in the hope that it might raise their interest in changing Sport England's lack of investment in lidos, despite their criteria that grants will be offered for opportunities that foster social inclusion, boost health and combat crime. Of course Sport England have to have their criteria, how could any kind of organisation exist in this humanitarian, benevolant, civilised western society we live in without them? But perhaps someone might want to take them on a day out to Brockwell, or any of the other 97 pools left after over 300 other closures and explain to them s.l.o.w.l.y. exactly why open air pools pretty much do all of the above. Maybe we could drag them to one of only 8 listed pools left open. Tie bricks to their legs and throw them in. OK, perhaps a little harsh, maybe just give them a good ducking before being thrown out for misbehaving by the life guard.

Sport England have defended themselves by saying that most open air pools have restricted opening hours, regardless of whether this is the truth or not; the heated Hampton Pool is open 365 days a year. We don't see Man U's players playing 365 days of the year, although perhaps they should. Make 'em earn some of those ridiculous wages they get paid for a 90 minute run around a couple of days a week.

Smith's arguments that the current situation is ridiculous considering the current various campaigns to improve social welfare, reduce obesity levels and improve our quality of life ring loud and true. The most exercise we've ever gained from a football team is getting up to turn off the TV any time one appears. We have, however, spent many happy hours splashing around Tooting Lido in the summer months, chatting with old friends, making new ones and replacing the years that commuter-related stress was taking off our lives with new happy and relaxed ones.

Open air pools are not only a cultural heritage worth hanging on to - and some have received money from the lottery heritage fund - but as the midday sun grows longer and hotter, a grand place for mad dogs and English persons to congregate, chill,and get some exercise. Not perhaps a bad deal for anyone really who doesn't fancy the long trip out to the nearest swimmable beach.

Image from Freston's Flickr Broomhill Pool set

(Via Londonist Lidos Lose Lottery Lolly: .)

Janet Smith: Investment in open-air swimming pools

webteam — Thu, 11 May 2006 01:22:28 GMT

"On a sunny weekend in January, scores of swimmers descended on Tooting Bec Lido in south London. More than 300 of them - some from Finland, the US and even Australia - plunged into the unheated water of London's biggest pool to take part in the UK's first cold-water swimming championships. Tessa Jowell, the minister for culture, media and sport, was not among them - despite declaring, in reply to a question in the House of Commons that same month, that she took the occasional dip in the Hampstead Heath ponds."

(Via SocietyGuardian.co.uk | Health | Janet Smith: Investment in open-air swimming pools, Wednesday May 10, 2006, The Guardian: .)

Making a splash in historic pools

webteam — Thu, 27 Apr 2006 05:24:07 GMT

The biggest ever gathering of campaigners for historic swimming pools will take place in London on Saturday 24 June at ‘Making a Splash,’ a national conference organised by the Victorian Society.

Delegates will hear from council representatives, heritage professionals, architects, and local campaigners about the issues and challenges facing historic pools. They will have the chance to express their views, publicise their campaigns, and contribute ideas to a conference report which will be sent to the Departure of Culture, Media, and Sport.

‘Pools are big news,’ said Dr Ian Dungavell, Director of the Victorian Society. ‘Historic pools have so much to offer and people care about them. It’s not good enough to close and demolish buildings just because they’re old. Instead we must work together to find ways of keeping these marvellous buildings open for local communities to enjoy.’

For more information and a booking form for ‘Making a Splash: the National Pools Campaigners’ Conference,’ please visit www.victorian-society.org.uk or email Ann Morgan, community@victoriansociety.org.uk.

Lido conference proceedings posted

webteam — Tue, 25 Apr 2006 04:31:15 GMT

This is to let you know that the proceedings of the lidos conference are now available to download from here

Janet Smith, author of Liquid Assets, the lidos and open air swimming pools of Britain, published by English Heritage as part of the Played in Britain series on sporting heritage, will be leading a delegation to present the proceedings to DCMS at 10.30am on Wednesday May 10th.

Broomhill questionnaire launched

webteam — Fri, 31 Mar 2006 16:47:28 GMT

An on-line questionnaire about the future of Broomhill Pool is now available by logging on to Broomhill Lido home page - and clicking on the Questionnaire box above our Justgiving poster;

This takes you straight to a fairly comprehensive list of questions and although many of you may not live near Ipswich there is no reason why you can't give us your views on the pool as a possible tourist attraction

Plans To Make A Big Splash At Lido (from News Shopper)

webteam — Mon, 27 Mar 2006 07:23:51 GMT

Oliver and the Lido Gang spotted this

"COUNCIL bosses are to thrash out plans to develop a £3.8m state-of-the-art diving centre at a historic outdoor swimming pool.
The plans would see the Charlton Lido's 50m main pool and baby pool refurbished and allow the redevelopment of buildings on the site to create a 35m-deep diving centre on the site. It would be the only diving facility of its kind in the country, offering a specialist diving training centre alongside the open-air pools."

(Via Plans To Make A Big Splash At Lido (from News Shopper): .)

BBC: Things going swimmingly for lidos

webteam — Fri, 17 Mar 2006 18:55:47 GMT

"Us Brits are known for our liking of the great outdoors.

But just a few years ago many of the UK's lidos were facing closure, or if already closed, the demolition ball.

Cheap package deals, which saw people head to foreign lands for holidays, and a lack of council cash were blamed.

But the fortunes of outdoor pools are on the up - so much so that a conference is being held this week for lido lovers to share secrets on saving local venues."

(Via BBC NEWS | England | London | Things going swimmingly for lidos: .)

Seaton: The Meeting ...

webteam — Mon, 06 Feb 2006 07:24:18 GMT

Well….What a turn out! Our people counting made it more than 250 people. More than 250 people turning up for a public meeting on a cold February evening is a pretty impressive show. How many more are standing behind and supporting those who could attend? Young people; older people; competitive swimmers; swimmers for health; swimmers for pleasure; employees; Councillors.
About the only identifyable group of Plymouth citizens that were missing were Cabinet Members.
The people attending were many, are angry and will be voters at their next local elections. Thanks yet again to the Evening Herald (apart from their counting) and here are the reproductions of the story, an Evening Herald editorial and the transcript of our medical advisor's talk. At the bottom of this post is an example of the letters that should continue to be sent to.
It is best to use your own words though.
Evening Herald 2-1-06 story (1)
Evening Herald 2-1-06 story (2)
Evening Herald 2-1-06 editorial
Transcript of our medical advisor's talk

Example of the letter to send to
"

(Via Save Seaton Pool The Meeting: .)

good news from Droitwich Spa

webteam — Thu, 26 Jan 2006 18:26:56 GMT

At the meeting of the full Wychavon District Council last night the Council's plans for the £1.5million revamp of the pool were given the go-ahead. Subject to planning permission, work should start in April - although construction of the wet play areas (separately funded) has already commenced.

SALT regards this as a partial victory - this time last year we expected that the Lido would be demolished to make way for flower beds - athough we do have reservations about the restricted swimming facilities proposed and the consequent limitation of the potential market - but at least Droitwich Spa will retain an open air salt water pool and the original 'art deco' style pavilion will be an integral feature.

We intend to try to keep people aware of developments and I would urge you all to check out our website from time to time.

What are the Cold Water Swimming Championships?

webteam — Thu, 19 Jan 2006 23:38:44 GMT

Tooting Bec Lido, 21 -22 January 2006

Like any other competition the CWSC will be a mix of solo and relay races over two days. Those taking the plunge will only have to swim 33 yards (30 metres). What makes this championship special for competitors and spectators is that it will all take place in cold water! It will be the first contest of its kind in the UK, something we are all very excited about! The competition has been ASA (Amateur Swimming Association) approved.

If you are quick and beg and grovel sufficiently you may even swim on the Sunday CLICK HERE.

Lido Conference 16 March 2006

webteam — Thu, 05 Jan 2006 20:53:23 GMT

A one day conference on the future of Britain’s lidos and open air swimming pools

exploring the funding, conservation, design and campaigning issues that concern one of Britain's most popular forms of recreational architecture

speakers to include pool operators, architects and campaigners

11am - 5.00pm at The Gallery, 77 Cowcross Street, London EC1M 6EJ (nearest tube Farringdon)

Tickets: £40 or £20 (concessions/members of lido users’ groups)

Sandwich lunch, coffee and tea included

Technorati Tags: UK Lidos, London Swimming

Cold Water Swimming Championships preparations continue

webteam — Wed, 07 Dec 2005 21:24:38 GMT

Did everyone notice that cold snap last week when the boilers of Britain went into overdrive? Well a group of people chose to start their prep for the cold water swimming championships there and then - you would wouldn't you. Great site for the Tooting Bec centenery year too with a photo that offers little encouragement to the 'nesh' out there in swimland.

Technorati Tags: t, d

Tooting Bec Lido's call for ice cold swimmers

webteam — Sun, 20 Nov 2005 19:13:10 GMT

"Swimmers are being invited to attend the UK's first Cold Water Championship.
The South London Swimming Club (SLSC) is to host the event in January at the Tooting Bec Lido, in both the club and venue's centenary year.
The lido is said to be the UK's largest, unheated, fresh water open air pool where the average water temperature in January is 4C (40F).

The event is open to everyone and races are based on age groups from under-19s through to the 80s and over."

(Via BBC NEWS | England | London | Lido's call for ice cold swimmers: .)

Droitwich Spa Lido - latest

webteam — Sat, 01 Oct 2005 00:39:15 GMT

"The Friends Of Droitwich Lido And Its Park issued the following Press Release"

Ian continued, "There will be a period of public consultation and it is vital that everyone gets involved in this. Community involvement will be key to the success or failure of this venture and we must all be active in the lido's future. The proposals and the timescales are quite ambitious but I do think for such an important site they should be. We must remember that this isn't just Droitwich's lido: this is the nation’s lido and the only one of its kind. We must remember that this is a nationally important attraction."

(Via lidos at Yahoo! Groups Droitwich Spa Lido - latest: .)

London-RIP: City swimming pools we've liked

webteam — Wed, 21 Sep 2005 20:09:25 GMT

"Swimming pool/sports venue you loved? Email London-RIP and tell us about it."

(Via London-RIP: City swimming pools we've liked: .)

(thanks Oliver, Jackie and Mike)

Janet Smith takes Liquid Assetts on lecture tour

webteam — Thu, 15 Sep 2005 16:41:21 GMT

Janet Smith, author of "Liquid Assets", will be giving a lecture to The Twentieth Century Society on the history and architecture of Britain's lidos and open air pools, on Monday 7th November at 6.30pm, at The Gallery, 77 Cowcross Street (through the arch -> basement), London EC1M 6BP (nearest tube Farringdon).

Tickets are £6 for members, £8 for non-members and £5 for students, and should be available on the door.

Do go if you can, Oliver

from the Lidos History Society Yahoo Group

NEWS ITEM KINGSBURY PARK

webteam — Fri, 26 Aug 2005 17:06:00 GMT

"“THE future of a dilapidated and disused outdoor swimming pool could finally be resolved with the scrapping of long awaited development plans.
People in the area have grown increasingly impatient as the site has laid unused since the pool was closed in 1988.The once busy outdoor pool is now nothing more than a fenced off grassy field gone to waste.While several efforts have been made to find a developer who will build a new pool on the site, all have proved unsuccessful so far.
An agreement seemed to have been reached with the Leisure firm Next generation in 2002, when plans to build a private health club and public swimming poolwere submitted to the London Mayor.While negotiations with Next Generation are still ongoing, no final application has beenapproved, and the whole project could be scrapped.
Council leader, cllr. Ann John said, “Next Generation’s timetable does not suit us and we are beginning to think sticking with them is going to be problematic.”
A report is currently being prepared by the the council’s environmental and culture department will be available “very soon.”
It will discuss the situation with the pool, allowing a decision to be made following public consultation.Cllr. John added, “It has been a very long and difficult saga, but we cannot let it go on anymore.”Cllr. John who spent “spent many a happy hour” swimming in the pool as a youngster, is still keen to build a new pool in Kingsbury.
She said, “ We need a new pool in the borough and it would fit the bill very well indeed.”The old Kingbury Pool , which was opened in 1939, is remembered fondly by many residents. ....With Willesden Sports Centre, being rebuilt, Vale Farm is currently the only functioning swimming pool in Brent.”"

(Via NEWS ITEM KINGSBURY PARK: .)

Lidos on R4 TODAY - You & Yours does a great piece

webteam — Thu, 25 Aug 2005 07:14:41 GMT

You and Yours did a great piece on Lidos concentrating on two, Droitwich and Hathersage, and reflecting on the state of Lidos across Britain in 2005 after the publication of Liquid Assets the recent book on Lidos. We can recommend the terrifying cycle down the hill (it needn't be) from Stanage rocks to plunge into the Lido at Hathersage.

Lidos on R4 TODAY

webteam — Wed, 24 Aug 2005 16:57:16 GMT

"You & Yours on R4 are running an item on lidos this Wed (24th), featuring Droitwich Spa and (probably) Ilkley Lido. The prog is on between 12.00 and 1.00 p.m."

(Via lidos at Yahoo! Groups Lidos on R4: .)