‘The decision that the mixed pond is treated differently is wrong’

• I ASSUMED and presumed (erroneous things to do) that the City of London Corporation’s new charging regime at the Hampstead Heath ponds would mean the mixed pond would be open (like the women’s, men’s and lido are) throughout winter.

It pains me that some of the young, vivacious, and friendly lifeguards will be made unemployed because of this decision. The decision that the mixed pond is treated differently, that is, can no longer be accessed by those of us who pay either daily or annual charge(s) is wrong.

A good few years back the winter swim club won a heroic victory to gain access for its members to swim in the mixed pond. They fought valiantly and smartly to overcome litigation and have kept the winter swimming there alive. They should be, and are, celebrated for doing so.

However joining the winter swim club is not a given. In my case I tried last year (and was told face-to-face by one committee member that it would happen). Suffice to say my emails were never answered, despite meeting one “helpful criteria”, that being I once held a now-expired surf life-saving / lifeguard qualification.

I was also told through “the grapevine” that having been an outspoken podcaster and an alleged “rule breaker” (despite having worked in the criminal justice system for 18 years) that I, and a few others, were deemed “risky and possibly irresponsible”.

Nevertheless this is not about me and many others annoyed at the city corporation, or those of us on this private members’ club’s waiting list.

The bigger issues are paying for an annual swim pass that excludes a pond, the possible exclusion of many a passionate winter swimmer, and the ongoing enclosure and charging for access to our public spaces by an organisation that oscillates between calling itself a charity one minute and a corporation the next.

Then there’s the human beings and clubs who think they have dominion over nature and paradoxically turn into the very thing they were once fighting.

ANDRE LOPEZ-TURNER
Quadrant Grove, NW5