Hampstead Heath ponds swimmers protest again but disappointment as pools not covered by government reopening guidance

Regular Kenwood Ladies' Pond swimmer Barbara Massey at a socially-distanced protest against charging to bathe on the Heath and the continued closure of the Ponds. Picture: Polly Hancock (Image: Archant)

Although the City of London Corporation (CoLC) has begun trialling measures which would see the ponds reopen, it has not set a reopening date after it emerged such facilities were not listed by the government among those which could reopen on July 4.

And at the weekend, campaigners resumed their campaign, which dates back to January, against the new compulsory charges – £4 for adults, £2.40 for concessions – to swim on the Heath.

At a socially distanced protest in Millfield Lane, swimmers again got out their banners and criticised the move.

READ MORE: Hampstead Heath pond swimmers trial social distancing, but campaign against charges will continueSwimming groups like the Kenwood Ladies’ Pond Association, the Highgate Men’s Pond Association, and the Mixed Pond Association, have maintained the winter’s consultation on charging was a “sham”, and urged the Heath’s managers – the CoLC – to explore other ways of raising the money needed to keep the ponds sustainable.

Hampstead Heath pond swimmers form a socially distanced line around the perimeter of the Ladies Pond in protest against the imposition of charging to swim. Picture: Polly Hancock (Image: Archant)

But citing increased lifeguard and safety costs, and a need to know how many swimmers are in the ponds and the Parliament Hill Lido are at any one time, the CoLC approved charges in March, shortly before the coronavirus saw the ponds shut.

Ruth Hallgarten, chair of the KLPA explains “We want to remind the CoLC that we haven’t gone away and we still oppose their new charges. The decision to enforce payment will destroy the unique atmosphere of the ponds and exclude many swimmers. We’re calling on them to show compassion and reconsider its plans in the light of the unprecedented financial, physical and mental stress caused by Covid-19.”

The CoLC has said charges are the only way to maintain the ponds, and that it “understands how important the ponds and the Lido are” to north Londoners.

Anne Fairweather, who chairs the CoLC’s Heath Management Committee, said trials meant the ponds could reopen as soon as was allowed.

She added: “We have put a lot of effort into getting ready for opening in a COVID-secure way and hope that the government revises its position on pools shortly.”