Although lockdown is easing and the bathing ponds have been prepared and tested for safe re-opening, government guidelines still ban their opening, even though other open water swimming venues such as the West Reservoir in Stoke Newington are already operating.
Despite this, together with other swimmers’ associations and groups, we have resumed our campaign against the City of London’s decision to enforce the increased charges for swimming decided before lockdown (from £2 to £4 for an adult ticket and from £1 to £2.40 for concessions).
We have asked them to reconsider their new charging regime in recognition of the financial, physical and mental stress caused to the community by the impact of Covid-19 but so far they have not been willing to do so.
On Sunday 5 July at 3pm, KLPA members, together with fellow swimmers from the Highgate Men’s Pond and the Mixed Pond Associations, will gather at the front gate of the Ladies’ Pond in Millfield Lane to demonstrate their shared connection to and respect for the Hampstead ponds and other swimmers. Expect colourful masks, and two metre socially distanced physical connection as pond swimmers embrace the ponds as closely as current circumstances allow.
Please come and support us!