Author: Vicky Joseph

Recently, the KLPA asked members for feedback on proposed adaptations to the changing room building at the Ladies’ Pond.  Members identified a number of issues with the City’s initial proposals including:

1. Creating a through route from the pathway, via the toilets to the changing rooms would create a congested space which may present challenges to some disabled swimmers e.g. those with a visual impairment or reduced mobility.
2. Having a combined accessible toilet and shower room, would reduce the availability of the accessible toilet.
3. Any adaptations to the buildings need to be preceded by rectifying the damp and drainage issues in the buildings, otherwise the adaptations are likely to fail

KLPA Committee members met with City managers, the architect, the City’s accessibility consultant and project managers on 5 May 2022 to discuss the proposals.  In the meantime we had received confirmation that the buildings constructed in 2016 did not comply with building regulations in respect of disability access in a number of ways when they went up (e.g. see photo above from accessibility report produced in 2018). 

Following the meeting on 5 May 2022 a series of alternative options has been proposed by the City and we would like your updated feedback.  This survey is open to all members, and weare particularly interested in feedback from members who have a disability and who want to comment on the 3 proposed layouts:

• Option 1 – Split the WC block in half, side to side. Two toilets accessed from the pathway and two accessed from changing room.  One of two inside WCs has grab rails. Combined accessible WC/shower room created, which is enlarged by removing the panelling in the existing accessible WC (plan here).
• Option 2 – Split the WC block in half, side to side.  Two toilets accessed from the pathway and two accessed from changing room.  One of two inside WCs has grab rails.  Combined accessible WC/shower room created, which is enlarged by removing the panelling in the existing accessible WC.  Create an enhanced additional changing cubicle inside main changing room (plan here).
• Option 3 – Leave WC block much as it is now but one WC cubicle has grab rails. Combined accessible WC/shower room created, which is enlarged by removing the panelling in the existing accessible WC (plan here).

Now, please answer the brief survey below (closes at 6pm on Friday 20 May 2022): 

The City has decided not to alter the external shower area at this stage but we have emphasised the need to rectify the drainage issues here, as well as damp elsewhere in the buildings. Otherwise the adaptations are likely to fail.

There are some relatively quick fixes such as more pegs in the changing cubicles which have been agreed to.

If you have any further comments which you would like to share with the City, please email via the addresses below and copy to klpamailbox@gmail.com.

HH-Swimming@cityoflondon.gov.uk
Stefania.Horne@cityoflondon.gov.uk (Heath Superintendent) 

Thank you for your continued input on this subject.

We are about to update the membership list and will be holding this information on our new online system “MemberMojo“. 

MemberMojo is a UK based company which is GDPR compliant.  It will be used by the KLPA to maintain membership records in one secure place, and this company will not send you marketing emails or sell on your data.

Many members have joined or renewed using this system already.  Existing members who are life members, or who pay by bank transfer/standing order will have their details transferred here too so that all data is held securely in one place. By using MemberMojo we aim to avoid holding different parts of our membership data in different places.

Next March, annual members will start to receive renewal reminders via MemberMojo with a link to use to pay for their 2023 membership.  This will also encourage all members to align their renewal date with our membership cycle of 1 April to 31 March.  Whilst you can continue to renew your membership using bank transfer or cash payment, we hope that most members will opt to renew via MemberMojo next year.  If you do so but have previously paid by standing order, please remember to cancel your standing order in time so that you do not pay twice!  You do not need to have access to internet banking to renew via MemberMojo as this is done through card payment via the secure payment system “Stripe”.

If you are a life member you should not receive any reminders from MemberMojo but we will use this system to maintain our records of your membership.

Membership Privacy Notice

IMPORTANT: By providing this information you agree to the KLPA storing your details and contacting you when we have information to communicate.  We will NOT share your data with any other organization or individual other than to carry out our core functions, for which we currently use the following external services: MemberMojo to administer your membership details, and Mailchimp to send communications to you by email.

The City of London Corporation is proposing to make alterations to the existing changing rooms at the Ladies’ Pond.  The buildings went up in 2016 but it soon became evident that there were problems with their accessibility and construction.  The proposed works are intended to improve accessibility and to resolve some of the persistent problems with damp and drainage.   There have been several periods of closure to address serious maintenance issues since 2016.

We are seeking your views on this project which, if it gets planning permission, might be undertaken between November 2022 and May 2023. (This timeframe includes work being undertaken at the Men’s and Mixed Ponds.)  We have been assured that it should not be necessary to close the Ladies’ Pond to do this work, but there will be operatives on site during opening hours to carry out the works. 
 
The City is proposing to enlarge the accessible toilet cubicle to include a shower, and this will reduce the size of the main toilet block.  They are proposing to remove the back wall of the main toilet block and open up a route directly into the changing rooms, which will mean the loss of one changing cubicle but easier access to the toilets. Some of the hand basin facilities lost due to the removal of the internal wall would need to be mounted on the external wall near the door into the main toilet block.  In addition, alterations to the external shower area are being considered which may address some of the damp and drainage problems here.

The KLPA would also like to know your views on the use of changing gazebos in various areas at the Ladies’ Pond.

Please take a look at this diagram and then answer the questions in the brief survey here:

https://klpa.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0e871ffde380e120f7dffe46c&id=40125e39a7&e=878d13563e

The KLPA survey will be open until 6pm on Tuesday 26 April 2022.  We intend to share a report of the survey results with the City i.e. overall percentages and anonymised additional comments (where these help to highlight any particular concerns).

The City is also conducting a survey on these alterations which asks one open-ended question about the proposals at question 4.  Please complete the City’s survey too if you have the opportunity.

If you would like to provide more detailed feedback to the City of London Corporation about these proposals, or anything which you think is missing, please email via the addresses below and copy to klpamailbox@gmail.com.

HH-Swimming@cityoflondon.gov.uk
Stefania.Horne@cityoflondon.gov.uk (Heath Superintendent) 

Thank you for your input.

In recent years the discharge of raw sewage into Britain’s waterways has led to widespread campaigning and protests. Our own local water company Thames Water is regarded as a prominent polluter. It has received extensive media coverage, including accounts of fines for dumping raw sewage into the River Thames and other regular discharges into tributaries such as the River Lea (more here). The Ladies’ Pond itself has  also been affected by contamination incidents from a nearby Thames Water damaged sewer in recent years.

On 23 April 2022, campaign group Surfers Against Sewage is holding a series of protests around the country to call for an end to “permitted” sewage pollution by the UK water companies.  This includes a protest in London, by the side of the River Thames at the Embankment.  This will take place from 1 pm and further event details can be seen here (this Facebook page is visible to non-Facebook-users).

Cleaner seas, wetlands and rivers will mean more places that are safe for swimming, but this is also essential for the continued survival of the plants and animals which depend on those habitats. More information about the campaign work of Surfers Against Sewage can be seen here.

STILL TIME TO RENEW YOUR KLPA MEMBERSHIP BY END OF APRIL 2022

If you pay for annual membership, and have not done so yet, please renew by the end of April 2022.  We will be updating our mailing list after this date and anyone who has not paid will be removed from the list.  We update the mailing list annually to ensure that we meet data protection requirements too.

WHY RENEW?

• Receive news about the KLPA’s campaigning work to restore and maintain inclusivity at the bathing ponds.
• Find out about unexpected closures of the pond e.g. bad weather.
• Get regular updates about KLPA social events.
• Receive news about other relevant campaigns and activities which may interest you e.g. local planning applications affecting Millfield Lane, or campaigns about access to open water swimming and the reduction of water pollution.
• Have regular opportunities to feed back to the KLPA with your views on issues which affect the Ladies’ Pond, to inform our discussions with the City of London Corporation.
• Get regular updates about the activities of the KLPA Committee and receive information about how you can become more involved.
• Find out about KLPA merchandise and where to buy it.

Annual membership is still just £5 and there are also life membership options.  KLPA membership is separate to the charges to swim which are levied by the City of London Corporation.  To renew your membership please go to our website and click “join us”.

The City of London Corporation has announced via Twitter that the bathing ponds will be closed tomorrow due to “high winds”.  Further updates can be seen here. 

Currently no Met Office weather warnings are in force but this may change.  Details can be seen here.

If you require further information please contact the City of London Corporation via:

HH-Swimming@cityoflondon.gov.uk (please copy to klpamailbox@gmail.com).

If we get more information in the meantime, this will be posted on the website.

Our friends from the Highgate Men’s Pond Association have invited KLPA members to a swim and breakfast event at the Men’s Pond on Saturday 9 April 2022, from 8 am to 11 am.

Hot drinks and croissants will be provided, along with the company of our friends from the Men’s Pond. The invitation has also been extended to the Mixed Pond Association, Hampstead Heath Winter Swimming Club and Parliament Hill Lido swimmers.

In order to access the Men’s Pond it will be necessary to use your season ticket wristband or to pay at the entrance, as you would at the Ladies’ Pond. The changing area at the Men’s Pond is no longer divided into two sections but gazebos have been provided to facilitate changing for Ladies’ Pond visitors (a large towel might also come in useful).

Children over 8 who have completed their swim test (and have a wristband to prove it) will also be welcome, and will need to be supervised by their adult when at the pond.

If this is not enough excitement for one weekend, the KLPA will be holding a merchandise sale at the Ladies’ Pond on Sunday 10 April 2022, 9-11 am. Knitted hats (including a new pink edition), seasonal mugs and Wild Swimming Walks books will be on sale for £10 each (hats and mugs can be bought in sets of 4, including mix and match combinations, for £35). Silicon hats are still available for £5. Payment can be taken by cash or card.

Please remember to renew your membership if you pay annually, as this is now due for renewal for 2022. You can do so here with MemberMojo, and details of life membership options are also available.

This provides an update on swimming arrangements at the Ladies’ Pond during the summer months of 2022, and the City of London Corporation’s (COLC) increased swimming charges which will take effect on 1 April 2022.

During the period June to August 2022, online booking through Eventbrite for one hour time slots will resume between 12.00 and 16.45 hrs. “Capped free flow” will be in use at other times. The capped free flow times are based on a maximum bather load of 100 swimmers and further access will be controlled by stewards if the pond reaches capacity. Details of the opening hours and the times when pre-booking via Eventbrite applies can be seen here (COLC document).

We understand that the telephone booking line, available to those unable or unwilling to use online bookings systems will still be 020 7332 3779.

Day ticket and season ticket prices will increase by 4.9% this year, fittingly taking effect on 1 April 2022. Full details can be seen here (COLC document). For a few days it is still possible to renew a season ticket at the 2021 prices here.

One option which is not well known is that a carer accompanying a swimmer who needs this support, can make use of a free access wristband. This wristband can be applied for by the swimmer herself or her carer (so if the swimmer applies for the wristband and has different carers at different times, the wristband can be used by different carers at different times). All of this information is available on the third “Ticket Details” page of the online season ticket application process if “Carer” is chosen. The swimmer or carer applying should tick a box to say she understands a declaration printed above. Whilst the website states that carer wristbands are given “on a case by case basis”, it does not detail any criteria or require evidence to be provided other than a name. A screenshot of the page is here. It is important that swimmers who need the support of a carer to swim are aware of this option. If you know of a swimmer who has struggled to access the ponds over the last two years, because she is not aware that a carer can accompany her for free, please pass on this information.

If you have any concerns about the summer swimming arrangements or price increases please continue to address these to the City of London Corporation:

HH-Swimming@cityoflondon.gov.uk
Stefania.Horne@cityoflondon.gov.uk (new Heath Superintendent)

Please copy any such correspondence to klpamailbox@gmail.com.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2022 The Annual General Meeting of the KLPA was held on 20 March 2022, and over 40 members were in attendance.  Unfortunately the meeting was not quorate so the vote on constitutional amendments could not take place.  The proposed amendments were discussed however and the Committee will do more work on this document to bring back to our next AGM.  As the committee nominations which were received ahead of deadline were unopposed, those nominees were confirmed as follows: Mary Powell (chair) Victoria King (new member) Lucy Zanetti (treasurer) Pauline Latchem Cathy Peake (secretary) Judith Perle (new member) Beth Feresten Susie Rose (new member) Ann Griffin  After 6 years of hard work on the KLPA Committee, in various roles, Ruth Hallgarten stood down as Chair.  She was presented with gifts and was thanked for her efforts.

On 23 February 2022, the KLPA and supporters finally arrived at the High Court.  We boldly went in our swimwear to the steps of the court, put on some clothing, and went inside for a hearing that lasted one and a half days.

This case was brought by claimant Christina Efthimiou, backed by the KLPA, and supported by the wider Heath swimming community.  A Judicial Review hearing focuses on detailed legal argument rather than courtroom high drama, but was nonetheless fascinating to watch.  KLPA committee members Ann Griffin, Pauline Latchem and Mary Powell were present in court or via video link for the whole hearing.  Christina Efthimiou was also able to observe the hearing via video link.  We were joined by other supporters from the KLPA, Highgate Men’s Pond Association and the Hampstead Heath Winter Swimming Club.  A more detailed report will follow shortly in the KLPA Newsletter.

We anticipate that a judgement will be handed down in about 4-6 weeks and will keep members updated.

It is still possible to contribute here to the legal costs. Whatever the outcome of the case, some costs will fall outside the protection of Legal Aid, so all contributions will be gratefully received.

Some of the press coverage of the court hearing can be seen here:

Camden New Journal 24 February 2022
Evening Standard 23 February 2022
Guardian 23 February 2022
Ham & High 23 February 2022
Ham & High 24 February 2022

We have been advised of the following details concerning access to the Public Gallery on 23 and 24 February 2022, to watch the Judicial Review proceedings to challenge the charging regime at the Hampstead Heath bathing ponds:

Where: Royal Courts of Justice, Strand, London WC2A 2LL (map here)
Court Number: 76
Public Gallery Capacity: Approx 50 (accessible courtroom and further information about accessibility is here.)
Hearing Sessions:  23 February 10.30 am to 1 pm and 2 pm to 4.30 pm.  24 February 10.30 am to 1 pm.
Security:  Please allow approx. 30 minutes to clear security before entering the courtroom.
Online Access: This is only available in exceptional circumstances to members of the public who are unable to attend a court hearing in person.  To request an individual link to watch the hearing, please email the court directly (email address here).  This link must not be forwarded to anyone else and it is illegal to broadcast a hybrid hearing in any way using this link.

Please be aware that members of the public who access the public gallery will be expected, as far as possible, to stay seated for the 2.5 hours of each session, and observe in silence.  If you are attending court, you will be expected to wear a face covering, unless exempt.  More information about what to expect in the court building can be seen here.

The Judicial Review will focus on the specific issues of alleged disability discrimination rather than the wider principles of charging to swim on Hampstead Heath.  The hearing will be focused on detailed legal arguments. 

A lot of work has been put into this case by the KLPA, Kate Egerton and the legal team at Leigh Day, Zoe Leventhal QC and her team at Matrix Chambers, and of course claimant Christina Efthimiou.  We would like to thank everyone who hascome forward to help and to pledge financial support for this legal challenge.

Supporters are invited to assemble outside the court on 23 February 2022, from 9.15 am for a photo opportunity and potential press coverage, even if you cannot commit to attending the hearing.  The KLPA banner will be present as a focal point and supporters are invited to bring their own home made banners on the theme of inclusion and fair access.  However please be aware you may not be able to take these banners into the court building.

The Judicial Review to challenge the charging regime at the Hampstead Heath bathing ponds is almost with us. Claimant Christina Efthimiou, supported by the KLPA, has alleged that the current charges amount to disability discrimination. The hearing is on 23-24 February 2022 at the Royal Courts of Justice on the Strand. 

Please come to show support outside the court:

When: 23 February 2022.  Assemble from 9.15 am for 9.30 am.
Where: At the front of the Royal Courts of Justice
Dress Code: Swimwear and KLPA accessories

We are expecting press interest so let’s make an impression outside the court! The KLPA banner will be there as a focal point and members are encouraged to make their own banners supporting fair access and inclusivity at the bathing ponds. It is time to be noticed; please spread the word.

We expect to have more information about the public gallery arrangements early next week and will forward this to members as soon as we have it.

Thank you to everyone who has supported this campaign and contributed to the Crowdfunding so far. Every donation matters, as it shows the breadth of support for inclusivity at the bathing ponds.