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September 2023 September 2023
behaviour. However, although their Richard Keegan who usually swims every day told
main food is from flower nectar and us that he normally swam at the London Fields
pollen, which they consume as they Lido but that it was temporarily closed for
pollinate flowers, these lack some refurbishment. He loved it here. “There is
salts which are components in the something about swimming outdoors with the
soil which they need for birds overhead. You always come out happier
reproduction. than when you went in”.

The second picture is a hoverfly Shane told me that the pool had its regular
feeding on meadowsweet which customers throughout the year. It never closes and
grows in profusion on the wet even during the winter months opens from 7am to
12 noon. A regular 50 to 70 people still turn up
during the cold clear days of winter. They come from all quarters of the social
boggy area of Souls Moor. A favourite with spectrum and include doctors, lawyers and bus drivers. I gather that the famous
many insects, a close up view shows the judge Lord Phillips has used the pool.
banded body of a hoverfly. There are
over 250 different species of hoverflies in The lido works closely with the Hampstead Ponds and
the UK and this is one of a wide range with hundreds of people turn up for their annual Christmas
differing widths and shapes of yellow or Day swim in the Men’s Pond.
white bands across the abdomen.
The lido organises an annual duathlon with a number of
Then we have a Brimstone butterfly its lifeguards taking part. Competitors swim 3 lengths in
feeding on Purple Loosestrife. There are the lido, and then run between and swim in the men’s,
fine stands of spikes of this attractive plant ladies and mixed ponds. It sounded great fun!
that also grow in the wet soil of Souls Moor. It also ran a Safety Awareness course last week where
The Brimstone has two broods a year, firstly youngsters were taught what to do in an emergency
in early spring and then again later in including CPR. Twenty five children turned up to this very
August. successful event.

However, the lido had seen a recent sadness when Glyn Roberts a great stalwart
Photos: Tony Bates over 25 years, passed away on New Year’s Day. He was affectionately known as
“Mr. Lido” and had an almost encyclopaedic knowledge of the lido and the

heath. Glyn had been involved in so many aspects of the lido. He also once
Contact Us successfully lobbied the City of London for them to buy some all-terrain buggies
so that people with disabilities could explore the Heath.
If you would like to know more about the work of the Wildlife and Environment
Group or to be included on our e-mailing list, please contact: As a mark of respect for Glyn the lido was closed the following day and it was
obvious that everyone, customers and staff included, still missed him greatly.
Tony Bates at tonybates19@gmail.com / 01929 471563 or
I would have loved to have met Glyn. It seemed to me that he represented all
Mike Gee at mike.n.g@outlook./com / 0775 988 4942 that was good about the lido; the friendship, the compassion, the fun. Where
ever I go, I realise that swimming, indeed sport itself, is all about the people. This
transcends everything.

I loved this lido. After my swim and a quick snack in the poolside cafe with its
delicious food and imaginative menu, we came away with that special feel
good factor. It should be on every swimmer’s bucket list!

Bob Holman
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