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Lido legacy helps keep my family in the swim
• YOUR article on “St Pancras’s inner-city health resort” is a wonderful reminder of Camden’s heritage (August 14). It seems we’ve come full circle. People like to swim but many cannot afford to do so as much as they would like, especially those with children or on limited incomes. If the government makes good on its promise to provide free swimming for all, including at Parliament Hill Lido, it will be an important legacy from our Olympics Committee to Londoners.
The 1938 lido was built to improve the health of the people living in Camden. As a post-war child, the 6d charge was too much for my two brothers and me, so we often bunked in, climbing over the walls, squeezing like Houdinis through the impossible, narrow-spaced exit gates or slipping in with the crowds. We knew the lifeguards. Those who were friendly turned a blind eye to our escaping from London’s streets into the lido’s sanctuary. Later, the early morning swim became my preferred exercise. A ritual which has stayed until this day.
At the lido’s opening ceremony, St Pancras councillor Harry Smith acknowledged that lido facilities were normally available only to the rich.
He continued: “We considered that the lidos should be made easily available to the very poor. Not only will this lido be a common meeting ground for Hampstead and St Pancras residents, but it will very likely become a centre for Londoners in general.”
Following the turbulent history of the lido, including surviving the war, the dismissal of the London County Council and changes of ownership, the intent of providing accessible swimming for all has again been raised by the government.
On June 6, the government announced a new £140million fund to boost sport and fitness through free swimming for over-60s. Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell recently said: “Ten million people stand to benefit from our exciting free swimming plan. I hope this is just the beginning and that by 2012 we can offer free swimming to all.”
The City of London supported the lido’s cause by spending nearly £3million on phase one refurbishments. In 2005, for the first time in the UK, a stainless steel lining was fitted to the pool, thereby minimising water loss and lowering maintenance costs. This Grade-II heritage building has been given an extended life under the care of the City of London.
I’m one of the millions who have already benefited by frequently using the lido. As are my wife and three children. The 1938 lido legacy continues through the generations of my family with whom I share my love of swimming. Hopefully, Ms Jowell’s intention of providing free swimming for all will become a reality.
LEEROY MURRAY
Castlehaven Road, NW1
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