Artist’s impression of how Heath sauna could look

• I MAY be late to the party but thought I would wade in on the mixed pond/sauna debate, (Hampstead Heat? Swim­mers sweating over ponds sauna bid, November 16).

It is quite incredible to see this generous offer of an individual willing to put up £100,000 of his own money to build an affordable and accessible sauna met with such opposition.

It does speak to the strength of the arguments against the sauna, however, that the reason it is deemed “unworkable” is because of a fear it could “change the social mix” of the pond.

God forbid Hampstead Heath acquires a sauna at absolutely no cost, open to all, as the 370 members of the winter swimming club may feel a little less exclu­sive.

It really would be a shame if such an exciting proposal with so many potential health benefits wasn’t taken forward based on this weak and speculative reasoning.

FELIX TASKER
Thurlow Road, NW3