Hampstead Heath ponds: ‘Real inclusion means finding a fair way to enable every swimmer to have access to such a precious resource’

• WITH Covid-19 rules relaxing soon, will we go back to the ponds being overwhelmed, on warm days, with huge numbers of swimmers?

The Kenwood Ladies’ Pond Association campaigns for the pond to be open to everyone, all the time, with no obligation to pay, but how does this fulfil their mandate, “to preserve the pond with its peaceful natural qualities”?

We have talked to many women who struggle with crowds, some with disabilities and mental health issues, for whom the rationed access provided by the booking system has made it possible, for the first time in several years, to swim on warm days.

Pond associations need to work with the City of London to recognise that real inclusion means finding a fair way to enable every swimmer to have access to such a precious resource.

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