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Invitation to a breakfast swim up for debate
• JOHN Allen should know that Jane Shallice was precipitate in her invitation to men to breakfast and swim at the pond (Pond politics, January 17).
The matter requires the backing of the membership of the Kenwood Ladies Pond Association at its AGM in March. The present committee is careless of its duty, enshrined in its constitution, to “provide for women and girls… a quiet, peaceful place to swim and relax” Already there is an annual mixed triathlon event which uses the women’s pond and reciprocal swimming facilities have been offered to the men when their pond is closed.
Neither of these, as far as I’m aware, has either passed through committee or been put to the membership. In the context of swimming many women do wish to be divided by gender Mr Allen. That’s why we use the women’s pond. I would encourage all members out there to attend the AGM so that full consultation takes place and democracy prevails. So hold your horses John Allen.
MAGGI RAY-JONES, N6
• In response to the letter (Clear Off, January 24) what transpired to be a genuine mistake and acting on misinformation in visiting the Kenwood ladies’ pond on New Year’s Day, gives Maggi Ray-Jones a platform to lambast half the human race as ‘predatory’, ‘plundering’, people who have nothing better to do than ‘dominate’ everything in sight. Of course I respect the ‘right’ of women to ‘own’ the ‘few’ spaces designated to them, of course I understand the cultural reasons for women needing a place to swim. I would not dream of encroaching on the ladies’ bathing pond without an invitation.
I’m grateful to Jane Shallice for her kind offer of a breakfast swim in the spring. I can be easily spotted, as I’ll be wearing a cap with horns attached and carrying my model longboat to sail on the pond.
Michael Andrew, NW5
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