Category: Uncategorized

We are sorry to have to confirm that the bathing ponds on Hampstead Heath, and Parliament Hill Lido, will be closed with effect from Thursday 5 November 2020.  This is due to the start of the Coronavirus national lockdown in England announced on 31 October 2020. The lockdown will last until at least Wednesday 2 December 2020. Indoor and outdoor swimming venues must close during this period. 

Many members have communicated to the City of London and the KLPA their sincere hope that outdoor swimming could be exempted.  We are all aware of the benefits to our physical and mental health of this activity, as well as the sense of community at the bathing ponds and lido. However, the decision to close both indoor and outdoor swimming venues in England has now been taken at government level.

We urge all KLPA members to resume their adherence to the terms of the national lockdown and to continue to respect the closure of the bathing ponds. This is in order to protect frontline staff on the Heath and avoid putting any additional strain on the NHS and emergency services.

The continued restrictions connected to the Coronavirus pandemic and the risks to health are placing a strain on us all. The KLPA intends to maintain a sense of community through communications with members.  If you are facing practical difficulties, feel isolated, or are aware of other swimmers who may be in that situation, please let us know. We will do our best to match up swimmers who can provide assistance. If you are in any position to assist with practical tasks or by lending a friendly ear please do let us know as well.

We hope to be able to swim together before too long and hope that you will all stay safe and well in the meantime.

The Kenwood Ladies Pond Association

Many of you may already have seen and signed the petition launched last week, calling on the UK government to allow open-air swimming to continue under any new lockdown.  Now that a second lockdown has been announced, and is due to commence on 5 November 2020, we are waiting to hear if open-air swimming can continue.

If you would like to sign the petition, which has received enough signatures to receive a formal response from the government, you can do so below.

We have seen many heartfelt pleas from members for swimming to be allowed to continue given the clear benefits to mental and physical health at such a difficult time for all of us.  The open-air nature of our activity does avoid many of the hazards of poorly ventilated enclosed areas, as well as helping to maintain our sense of community.

The City of London’s next steps in managing the bathing ponds and Lido will be based primarily on government decisions in the next two days, subject to a parliamentary vote.  However, if swimming is still permitted, this will also need to take into account safe working practices for frontline staff on the Heath, in particular the lifeguards.  Each one of us can support that process by following safe distancing instructions whilst swimming on the Heath.

SIGN THE PETITION

On Saturday night the Prime Minister announced a second lockdown in England with effect from 00.01 hours on Thursday 5 November 2020, lasting until at least Wednesday 2 December 2020.  Further details are awaited and it is not yet clear what the impact will be on the Hampstead Heath bathing ponds.  Yesterday the City of London tweeted a holding announcement here.

The current government guidance is here, setting out a broad outline of which businesses and activities can remain open or must close. Outdoor swimming, whether in open water or lidos, is not specifically mentioned and more information is to follow. The gov.uk website goes on to say that “a full list of the business closures will be published and set out in law.”

We understand that Heath managers will be considering that more detailed information in the next day or two before making any announcements.  As soon as we know more, KLPA members will be informed.

Access to swimming is important to us all, and if the ponds have to close again many of us will miss the benefits of swimming outdoors during such a difficult time. However, the bathing ponds are also a workplace and we must be mindful of the health, safety and welfare of frontline Heath staff.

As soon as any more news becomes available KLPA members will be updated.

Ladies’ Pond swimmers have long known the health benefits of cold-water swimming.  This was confirmed by press reports last week, of research at Cambridge University, exploring the possibility that cold-water swimming protects us from the effects of dementia. This BBC report explains how the protein RBM3 is stimulated in our blood by a chilly dip, and may have protective qualities.  Ladies’ Pond swimmers took part in this research. 

The Camden New Journal also reported on the negative impact of the new charging regime on the very swimmers who might benefit most from this protective effect of cold water swimming.

Furthermore the Ham & High has reported on the impact of the charging regime on swimmers with disabilities.

The large meadow at Kenwood Ladies’ Bathing Pond is now open for women and girls to enjoy the surroundings of the Ladies’ Pond.  Women and girls will once again be allowed to enter the meadow for free. 

Visitors will still be asked to follow COVID-19 safe practices, including sanitising their hands (available on steward’s desk), following a one-way system and safe-distancing. Numbers will be limited as the meadow will still be used for changing by swimmers. Visitors will also be asked to register their details for NHS track and trace (either using the NHS app or leaving their telephone numbers). Up to 10 women and girls at a time will be able to enter the meadow as visitors.

This is our space to reclaim from 29 October 2020.

At this time of year, we would usually be encouraging members to turn up for a shared breakfast in spooky costumes.  KLPA social events often attract large numbers of swimmers socialising and eating together.  This year, alas, that is not possible due to Coronavirus restrictions, but you can still mark the occasion on Saturday 31 October 2020.

If you would like to take part, come in your Hallowe’en themed swimwear throughout the day from 7am until 2pm.  The usual safe distancing rules and maximum swimmer number (60) will still apply. 

From 9am to midday on 31 October 2020, the KLPA will be selling bright knitted hats for early morning swims (£6 each, or £10 including a donation) and mugs designed by pond swimmer Sue Hellard (£10 each, or two for £15).  Please bring the correct money as we will not be handling change.  These items will be sold in the bike park area to allow extra space for anyone queuing to make their purchases.

HELP US TO KEEP THE POND WELCOMING

We have, unfortunately, received several reports recently of verbal abuse towards lifeguards at the Ladies’ Pond.  KLPA members are asked to help set a good example to all other swimmers by showing courtesy and consideration.  It has been a difficult year for everyone.  Whatever tensions there have been this year, with the new charging regime and restrictions on swimmer numbers, the lifeguards and other frontline Heath staff have been doing an amazing job and deserve our support. 

The casual lifeguards employed through the summer months will soon be finishing their contracts, and any KLPA member who wishes to show her appreciation with a card, gift or word of thanks would be welcome to do so.  Full time lifeguards remain in post all year.

Please remember that photography and filming are generally not permitted at the Ladies’ Pond, unless express permission has been granted by the City of London.  Please respect the peace and privacy of other swimmers and refrain from taking photos or videos whilst at the pond.  Many other swimmers do not want to appear unwittingly on others’ social media feeds.

In 2015 the KLPA published Wild Swimming Walks, in co-operation with Wild Things Publishing.  This described 28 lake, river and seaside days out by train from London and was very popular with KLPA members and other Heath swimmers. 

The publishers are thinking of reprinting the book and are open to making small amendments. Have you spotted a direction that doesn’t make sense or found a stile replaced by a gate?  Were you disappointed that a suggested swimming place is hopelessly overgrown or too shallow?  Did you notice nearby a better swimming spot than the one suggested? These are the sort of things we would love to hear about.  

We are especially interested to hear from anyone who may have done the Winchfield to Hook walk in the last few years as the swimming places there were already a bit unreliable and one person has said they found even a shallow swim was impossible, while we know the canal sometimes has algae problems.  Of course, we also want to correct any typos that sharp eyes may have spotted.   

Unfortunately this is not a chance to add new walks, although the editor Margaret Dickinson is always keen to hear of new swimming spots.  We did offer the publishers a sequel with a new batch of swim/walks but they declined.

If, when doing any of the walks, you have noticed anything that needs changing please let Margaret know at mdickinson@ndirect.co.uk, or on 020 7485 1457.

We have been asked again to remind swimmers to observe the safe-distancing measures in place at the Ladies’ Pond. This is to help keep the bathing ponds open through winter, in the context of increased COVID-19 infection rates and new restrictions elsewhere.  Please: –

– Do not arrive at the gate in groups of more than six.

–Do not crowd in under the gazebos in breach of safe-distancing requirements (more gazebos and benches have now arrived).

-Respect others’ space, do not place your belongings on top of theirs.

-Dispose of rubbish in the correct place or take it home with you.

Following these measures will help keep the Ladies’ Pond open this winter. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP.

The Ladies’ Pond is open again! If we want it to remain open we MUST comply with social distancing rules.

Additional gazebos and benches have been brought in to assist us in maintaining a 2m distance from our fellow swimmers whilst changing. A maximum number of three people is allowed under each gazebo.

Please respect these rules and help to keep the pond open through this winter.

The City of London has informed us that the Ladies’ Pond will re-open on Monday 12 October 2020 at 7 am, as water quality test results are now satisfactory.

Thank you for your patience in the meantime.  The KLPA is continuing to challenge both the City of London and Thames Water about what has been happening since early September, both the (known) contamination incidents and the follow up action taken by the responsible authorities.

If you have experienced any ill-effects from these contamination incidents please inform Hampstead Heath Management via: –

Bob.Warnock@cityoflondon.gov.uk
Anne.Fairweather@cityoflondon.gov.uk
HH-Swimming@cityoflondon.gov.uk

Please copy to klpamailbox@gmail.com