Artist’s impression of how Heath sauna could look

• IT is somewhat alarm­ing that the City appears to be “seriously consid­ering” the proposal for a sauna at the ponds on Hampstead Heath, (Hampstead Heat? Swim­mers sweating over ponds sauna bid, November 16).

I have been swimming at the Mixed Pond since the 1960s and over the years it has barely changed. Therein lies its appeal. The facilities at the pond are simple, natural and totally basic and everyone appreciates its somewhat rustic and unsophisticated charm.

The whole essence of the place is that it is solely for swimming and the last thing it needs is to be tarted up with a sauna!

If Mark Lamb wishes to have a sauna after his swim, there are other outdoor pools he can visit in Camden, for example The Oasis and the Lido.

Alternatively, if he has a spare £100,000 sloshing around, he could build a sauna in his garden and have a cold shower before and afterwards!

The City is now making large amounts of extra cash since charges for swimming were introduced post-Covid and it is no surprise that its serious consideration of Mr Lamb’s scheme would be a way of further increasing its funds if a sauna were to be installed at the Mixed Pond, as the City would be sure to substantially hike up entry charges.

It must also be noted that there is limited space at the Mixed Pond and it is quite clear that the demographic of the visitors would change as would the social mix, as [Mixed Pond Association co-chair] Margaret Dickinson has rightly pointed out.

Visitors might come who had no intention of using the pond for its proper purpose, that is, to swim. They would just be there to use the sauna which would have the effect of over­crowding in an already limited space.

Please leave the Mixed Pond alone, as its peace and simplicity are the main reasons that people love it.

RUTH MAXWELL, NW3