Month: October 2020

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 [email protected], 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: –

[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]

Please copy to [email protected]

The City of London have informed us that the Ladies’ Pond will remain closed over the weekend as water quality test results are still not satisfactory.  As soon as we have any more news we will let KLPA members know.

The Lido will be open for Ladies’ only swimming between 1.30 – 4.30pm.

The Ladies’ Pond has now been closed twice in the space of three weeks due to water contamination incidents.  The City of London is due to inform us of the findings of its own investigation and the KLPA is continuing to challenge both the City and Thames Water about what happened and their responses to these incidents. 

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

[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]

Please copy to [email protected]

In the Camden New Journal this week, there is a stinging rebuke for the City of London for its flawed consultation with swimmers early in 2020.  This comes from the former chair of the Highgate Men’s Pond Association, Chris Piesold. The article is here and worth a read.

MEETING PAPERS AND VIEWING LINK

The next meeting of the Hampstead Heath Consultative Committee takes place on 19 October 2020 at 5.30 pm and can be viewed online here.

The full public agenda pack can be downloaded here. Items up for discussion include: –

– Report on the 2020 summer swimming season including survey report.

– Report on the 2020-2021 winter season swimming arrangements.

-Draft Hampstead Heath Ponds and Wetlands Plan.

-Revised tender programme for Heath cafés.

-Use of Fixed Penalty Notices.

-Code of Conduct for dog walkers/licencing of professional dog walkers.

-Proposed celebrations for 150th anniversary of the 1871 Hampstead Heath Act (yes, really!).

This committee advises the Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park Management Committee in its decision making about the running of Hampstead Heath, but it was ignored earlier this year during the process of imposing increased swimming charges.  Both committees may now be at risk of abolition following a report on the governance of the City of London Corporation by Lord Lisvane (here).  It is feared this will make the management of Hampstead Heath even more remote and undemocratic than it is now. 

Local press coverage of this proposal can be seen here in the Camden New Journal and here in Ham & High.

We have been asked by the Lifeguard team to remind swimmers to observe the safe-distancing measures at the Ladies’ Pond (when it re-opens). 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 are being sourced). Respect others’ space and do not place your belongings on top of theirs. Dispose of any rubbish in the correct place or take it home with you. Following safe-distancing rules will help keep the Pond open this winter.

The Ladies’ Pond continues to be closed due to a further incident of water contamination over the weekend involving elevated E-Coli levels.  This may be linked to wash-off of contaminated soil by heavy rain this weekend in the area where the original sewage leak was discovered and repaired.  The pond will remain closed until the City of London receives satisfactory water test results.

In the meantime, a women-only session will be available at the Lido from 1.30 pm to 4 pm.  Pond-only season tickets will be accepted for entry here.  In addition, mixed swimming remains available at the Mixed Pond during normal opening hours.

The most recent contamination incident is reported today in Ham & High here.

KLPA updates can be seen here: @KLPA1985 
City of London updates can be seen at @CityCorpHeath 

If you experienced any ill-effects which might be linked to this continuing problem, please inform Hampstead Heath Management at:

[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]

Please copy to [email protected]

PS: City of London Update – Lord Lisvane’s report published recently, which recommends the abolition of many of the City of London Corporation’s committees (including those linked to Hampstead Heath), is reported here in Camden New Journal.