The protest at the ponds

• FURTHER to your report (Open up the ponds on Hampstead Heath, demand protesters, May 21), it seems that the goalposts have been moved slightly.

The Corporation of London, now desperate to justify its stance on the continued closure of Hampstead Heath’s swimming ponds, has now underlined its concerns about the safety of the lifeguards and moved away slightly from its previous stance about social distancing; which was absurd to regular swimmers, given that overcrowding is rare and also manageable.

This is not a rational argument.

First, if someone were to have a heart attack and drown they would sink to the bottom in a matter of seconds. The pond would then be closed and the body recovered.

This is a rare occurrence and does not involve cardiopulmonary resuscitation, CPR. In fact I have yet to find anyone who can remember the last time CPR was administered at the ponds.

Secondly, swimmers are not asked if they have TB, hepatitis or HIV before they go to the ponds, all of which could, in certain circumstances, pose a risk to lifeguards and other swimmers.

I have yet to hear a single sensible argument to support the claims of the Corporation of London or that of the various associations which, apparently, represent swimmers.

All the relevant associations were contacted in advance of my demonstration on Monday May 18. Apart from The United Swimmers Association, all wrote back to me to say they would not support it.

Furthermore, individuals on the committees made an executive decision not to inform their members and allow them to make up their own minds as to whether they wished to attend.

The Ladies Pond chair, Nicky Mayhew, publicly denied that they had been contacted in spite of the fact that they had replied to my original email inviting them to join us.

The Mixed Pond Association closed down the winter swimmers Whatsapp chat group after dialogue appeared questioning their stance on continued closure.

It makes one wonder at the purpose of these associations when their policy is determined by a very small group of people who refuse to trust decisions to their membership.

NICK SILVER
Address supplied