Kentish Town Baths

• I HAD a tingle go down my spine as I read the account of the saving of Kentish Town Baths.

I was one of those who strongly campaigned to stop the council at the time from closing the wonderful Victorian building in order to convert it into dwellings.

When I read in the Camden New Journal at that time that this was intended, I made up my mind to stop this from happening.

I took myself along to the your offices in Camden Town and so my campaigning journey began. I was one of those who stood outside in the cold in my swimming costume.

Drivers tooted as they went by, some even stopping to give a pound or two towards the cause. I became part of a group determined to save our baths.

The Victorian Society greatly appreciated the wonderful Victorian building and joined the cause and I have to say it was one of the nicest campaigns I’ve taken part in.

The building was saved. We were involved in choosing the colour scheme and various other assets such as ensuring facilities for disabled and a learner pool for young children including babies.

The campaigning group, including my husband and I, attended the grand opening ceremony by the former Olympic swimmer, namely, Mark Foster.

I used to swim there since the age of nine. My parents used to sit in the balcony watch­ing me train with St Pancras Ladies Swim­ming Club as I became a local champion swimmer.

Today I swim for pleasure and as I make my way up and down the lengths, I swim with great pride, safe in the knowledge that Kentish Town Sports Centre, as we know it today, has been saved for the present and future generations to come.

BRENDA HUMPHREYS
Chair of London Schools Swimming Association