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January 2024 January 2024
CLIFTON LIDO disaster in the Tall Ships Race 1984 saw the Tall Ship Marques overcome by a
severe storm en Route to Halifax with the loss of 19 of her 28 crew members.
The background reasons contributing to this disaster are not for discussion on this
The History occasion but suffice to mention that it contributed to me being made a
Yachtmaster Offshore and Ocean examiner for the Royal Yachting Association
The Victoria Clifton Baths was originally opened on 29 July 1850 with a single (aka the RYA). This has been a large part of my activity (and income) for the last
admission fee of one shilling (5p) including two towels, from 6am to 3pm. In 1880 30 years.
Victorian Baths Limited bought the pool for £2,200. In 1897 the Corporation of
Bristol purchased it for £3,025. The lido was almost certainly designed by the During all of this time Sarah and I were quietly enjoying the times when our
architectural firm of Pope, Binden and Clark and it reflected an Egyptian style of respective paths crossed and we enjoyed our travelling together. At the same
architecture and served the community for over 100 years. time, I found myself spending more and more time in Bere Regis and realising that
it was the only place that I was quietly regarding as home. A most welcoming
The lido, as with many at the time, became the focal point of the community and
in the 1930s, the first electrically lit pool in the UK. For many generations it was the environment and population.
place for social gatherings, courtship and exercise. To paraphrase a well-known local retired farmer, “ It’ll see I out “

Sadly, by the 1980s the pool had fallen into disrepair and closed in around 1992. David Gray
The threat of demolition hung over the lido for 13 years as the Sovereign Housing
Association tried to gain consent from the city council to bulldoze the site and
turn it into flats. However, local people campaigned to keep the lido open and
succeeded in getting it made a grade11 listed building.
In 2006 the Glass Boat Company purchased the building and was granted full
planning permission to restore the pool and associated buildings.
2009 G P Lewis

The satnav proved Interior/Exterior Painter & Decorator
invaluable as we
navigated our way
through the centre All aspects of painting and
of Bristol to the newly decorating undertaken including
reopened Clifton
Lido. The pool itself is Domestic, New builds, Refurbs
situated in the and Commercial.
narrow side streets of Qualified and with over 30 years
Clifton and it took a
little careful driving to park our car in a roadside space experience, will offer friendly
immediately opposite to the pool. advice if needed.

As we entered the spa tearoom which overlooked the pool, my first impression  1st class finish If you require a job done hassle free
was ‘Wow, what a wonderful place!’. I checked in at reception and was greeted Free written quotes by an honest, friendly tradesman
by the very friendly and helpful staff. I was issued with a clothes hanger cover and  please give Gavin a call on
told that I could either use their indoor changing rooms or the outdoor cubicles  Fully insured
with brightly striped canvas “doors”. I chose the outdoor facility and returned with  No job too small or big 01929 471704 or 07977
my belongings to be deposited in my own personal locker. 047314, Email:
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g.lewis515@btinternet.com.

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