Author: Vicky Joseph

Last year we consulted KLPA members through two surveys (here and here) about proposed adaptations to the changing rooms to improve accessibility.  This feedback was shared with the City of London Corporation.  Their planning application, registered on 11 July 2022, also included works to the back fence and construction of a “stewards’ hut” along the entrance path, as well as work at the other bathing ponds. Planning consent was granted by Camden Council on 26 September 2022 without a full planning committee meeting taking place.

The City’s tendering process has taken longer than expected, due to an initial lack of interest from potential contractors and increasing construction costs.  The City is now almost at the stage of appointing a contractor and the following tentative timings have been discussed with the KLPA (please note these dates may still change).

At the Ladies’ Pond work is expected to start around 20 March 2023 and continue for 6 weeks, until the end of April 2023.  The City is planning to keep the Ladies’ Pond open during these works, although there will be some disruption:

1. The main WC block will not be available and temporary toilets are to be installed, probably inside the entrance to the large meadow.
2. The outside shower and internal changing rooms should remain available.
3. Contractors are expected to be on-site from 8am each day, and will be accessing their work area in the current accessible WC via a walkway which will be screened at the sides.
4. We have been assured by the City that the large and small meadows will remain available for changing and that privacy will be maintained for swimmers.
5. We are trying to ensure that there will be one hour in the morning (7am-8 am) when no contractors will be on-site so that the women-only environment will be maintained during that time slot.

The information above is at present tentative, and may be subject to change, as the City has not yet confirmed the appointment of a contractor.  Once contracts are signed there will be a design and mobilisation period of up to 6 weeks before work can commence anywhere on the Heath.

When we have further information about the time frame and arrangements during the works, members will be notified.  If you have any questions about the details of the construction project itself, please contact HH-Swimming@cityoflondon.gov.uk.

The KLPA is holding its first merchandise sale of 2023 next Sunday from 9 am until 11 am at the Ladies’ Pond.

We have knitted hats and mugs for £10 each, or £35 for a set of four, including mix and match options.  We also have a new delivery of the Wild Swimming Walks book, still at the reduced price of £10, rather than the retail price of £14.99.

Please come along and show your support; we look forward to seeing many KLPA members on Sunday.

Hampstead Heath workers balloted on strike action

On 16 January 2023 Ham & High reported that the trade union GMB is balloting City of London staff, including those employed on Hampstead Heath, about potential strike action following a 3% pay offer.  The result of the ballot is expected in early February.

The full article can be seen here.

The City of London is proposing price increases for activities across the Heath of at least 5% in 2023/2024.  The KLPA has responded to the proposed price increases and we are awaiting the City’s final decision.

This is an update on proposed price increases for 2023/24.  At its last  meeting with the swimming associations in December 2022, the City revealed plans to increase most charges on the Heath, including those for swimming, by 5% in the next financial year (details here).  Whilst this is less than the current inflation rate, it still represents another significant price rise after several years of such increases, including disproportionate increases for concessionary tickets since 2020. 

The KLPA and the other swimming associations were invited to submit their written comments in time for the next meeting of the Hampstead Heath Consultative Committee which takes place at 17.30 hrs on Monday 16 January 2023.  The KLPA response is attached here. A link to the online public gallery for the Consultative Committee meeting on 16 January 2023 is here.

The Consultative Committee’s deliberations will be fed back to the next meeting of the Hampstead Heath, Highgate Woods and Queen’s Park Management Committee on 8 February 2023, at which any decisions about the charges for 2023/24 are expected to be finalised.

Further updates will follow.

THAMES WATER LIVE MAP OF SEWAGE DISCHARGES
CHECK BEFORE YOU SWIM!

Following pressure from the public and campaign groups Thames Water has finally launched a real time interactive map showing discharges of sewage into our rivers. 

Their area stretches from Gloucestershire to Essex, so if you are planning to take a dip in any rivers which might be affected by foul water discharges from storm overflows, please take a look at this map first.   Recent press coverage can be seen here and here.

The Ladies’ Pond will close early on Monday 19 December 2022 so that Heath staff, including lifeguards, can attend the staff Christmas lunch at the Guildhall.

Last entry to the water will be 10.45 am and vacate water time will be 11 am.  Swimmers will be asked to leave site by 11.15 am so that staff have time to change and travel to the Guildhall.  Please help to ensure that they are able to do so on the day, by vacating in good time.

The Ladies’ Pond will be open as normal on Tuesday morning (weather permitting!) at 7.30 am.  Full details of current opening times and Christmas Day arrangements can be seen here.

There is one more opportunity to purchase KLPA mugs, hats and books before Christmas, on Sunday 18 December 2022 between 9 and 11 am.

Mugs and knitted hats are £10 each or can be bought in sets of four for £35 (including mix and match).  The Wild Swimming Walks book is available at the reduced price of £10, instead of the retail price of £14.99.  We still have a limited number of silicon hats for £5.

This will be the last stall of 2022, so please do come along if you still have some last minute presents to buy.

NEW YEAR’S DAY

Unfortunately it has not been possible to co-ordinate an organised event for New Year’s Day this year.  We are now unable to operate, as in pre-pandemic years, from the rear window of the lifeguards’ office, which causes difficulties with keeping an urn boiling and topped up in a safe location.  There are not enough committee members available on the day to operate safely from the more recently used location near to the stewards’ hut.

We hope to be able to organise an alternative event early in 2023. In the meantime if you do swim on New Year’s Day, we hope you have a very enjoyable visit to the pond and urge all members to share good wishes with the lifeguards for 2023.

The KLPA would like to wish all members a peaceful end to 2022 and a Happy New Year for 2023.

We are writing to let you know about the swimming arrangements at the Ladies’ Pond and Men’s Pond on Christmas Day.  Both ponds will close earlier than normal, as is the usual practice, in order to allow lifeguards to get away home on Christmas Day:

Ladies’ Pond

• Open at 7.30 am
• Last entry into water 11.15 am
• Vacate Water 11.30 am
• Ladies’ Pond closed for day from midday

Men’s Pond

• Open 7.30 am
• Last entry into water 10.15 am
• Vacate water 10.30 am
• Includes mixed dip for men and women 8.30 am to 10.30 am
• Pond will then close to the public so that the Lifebuoys race can take place at 11 am.
• No other races will take place at the Men’s Pond this year.

We are currently discussing with the City of London options for an event on New Year’s Day at the Ladies’ Pond, and will update members accordingly.

Please join us in thanking the lifeguards for their hard work throughout 2022, and assist them in being able to close on time on Christmas Day. 

ENJOY YOUR SWIM BUT DON’T OVERDO IT!

Recent press coverage of hypothermia incidents at Parliament Hill Lido; swimmers advised to shorten their time in the water as temperatures drop:

BBC London
Camden New Journal
Ham and High

Please enjoy your swim, heed the lifeguards’ advice and look out for your fellow swimmers.

The last KLPA merchandise sale for 2022 will take place on Saturday 3 December between 9 and 11 am at the Ladies’ Pond.  Come along to buy your seasonal gifts or to indulge yourself in a modest treat.

KLPA merchandise items continue to sell for just £5 (silicon hats) to £10 each (books, knitted hats and mugs).  There are multi-buy options for the knitted hats and mugs, including mix and match (a set of 4 for £35).  The Wild Swimming Walks book is already discounted  to £10 from the retail price of £14.99.

We have tried to keep the prices affordable through 2022 and this price range is ideal for workplace Secret Santa purposes too!  The bright knitted and silicon hats also help the lifeguards to see you when swimming in poor light conditions during the winter months.

Payment can be made by cash, cheque or card.

TIME CHANGES AT THE POND

Please note that another time change takes effect from Monday 28 November 2022, due to reduced daylight. The Ladies’ Pond will open at 7.30 am, with vacate water time moving back to 2.45 pm.  Swimmers will need to leave the Ladies’ Pond completely by 3 pm.

These times will be in effect until 4 February 2023.  Further details of time changes can be seen here.

The KLPA will hold its monthly merchandise stall at the Ladies’ Pond, on Sunday 30 October 2022 from 9 am to 11 am. 

We have fluorescent knitted hats in bright colours (pink, orange and yellow) for just £10 each.  Seasonal KLPA mugs, designed by pond swimmer Sue Hellard, are available for £10 each or can be bought in sets of 4 for £35.  The knitted hats and mugs can also be bought in mix and match sets of 4 for £35.

The Wild Swimming Walks book is available at the discounted price of £10.  Silicon hats are still available for just £5 (yellow, green and pink). 

As the mornings get darker, our bright coloured hats help with visibility for the lifeguards.  The hats, books and mugs are also popular as presents.

Help to support the work of the KLPA and join us at the merchandise stall on 30 October 2022.  We aim to keep our merchandise prices affordable so that they are accessible to as many swimmers as possible, and they all have a practical use.

You can pay with cash, cheque or by card payment. Thank you for your continued support.

30 OCTOBER 2022 – DEADLINE FOR NEWSLETTER CONTRIBUTIONS
Please send in your newsletter items by Sunday 30 October 2022.  Do you have an interesting new swimming place which you have discovered?  Have you been involved in any campaigns for access to clean swimming places?  Would you like to share your swimming themed poems or artworks?  Please send your items, ready for publication, to klpamailbox@gmail.com.

30 OCTOBER 2022 – WINTER TIME CHANGES
Please note that the closing time at the Ladies’ Pond changes with effect from 30 October 2022 (last swim 2 pm, vacate water 2.15 pm, closed at 2.30 pm).  Full details are available here.

The KLPA has been contacted by Barbara Leger, an undergraduate student at University College London, who is undertaking research for her dissertation at the Kenwood Ladies’ Pond. Her research is focused on sensory and embodied aspects of swimming at the Ladies’ Pond, to inform understanding of outdoor swimming and its motivations.

She hopes to interview regular swimmers at the Ladies’ Pond using a swim-along interview method. Indeed, Barbara will be undertaking the first part of the interview in the water at the Pond, followed by a traditional interview out of the water. 

Interviews are scheduled to take place between 22 October and 4 November 2022, and will take about one hour.

Find out more about the project and how you can take part here.   If you are interested in taking part you can contact Barbara directly via:

Email barbara.leger.18@ucl.ac.uk
Phone (or WhatsApp) +33 6 43 61 96 35.

We are pleased to announce that our friends from the Highgate Men’s Pond Association have been invited to a swim and shared breakfast at the Ladies’ Pond on Saturday 8 October 2022 from 9 to 11 am.  This is an opportunity to reinforce our alliances across the Heath, as well as to enjoy ourselves and socialise.  We last visited the Men’s Pond for a breakfast event in April 2022 and it is a pleasure to return the invitation.

The KLPA will provide hot drinks and croissants, additional contributions are welcome.

If you are eligible for a free swim before 9.30 am (under 16/over 60), please ensure you pass the checkpoint at the entrance before this time.  Access to the upper meadow alone, without swimming, remains free of charge but this does not allow access to the toilets.