• YOUR article on Mark Lamb’s proposal to install a sauna at the Mixed Pond slightly misquoted me in saying I thought that no winter swimmers were interested, (Hampstead Heat? Swim­mers sweating over ponds sauna bid, November 16).

I actually said that informal soundings suggested that only a small minority might be in favour, most were opposed and some strongly opposed.

I explained we’d not done a formal consultation because the Heath superintendent recently told representatives of the MPA and the Hampstead Heath Winter Swimmers Club that the City of London was not currently considering the proposal.

It’s important to add that those opposed, as far as I know, are not against saunas in general but for various reasons think the proposal is not appropriate for the Mixed Pond. We are waiting for more clarity about the scheme.

You mention a favourable response to an Instagram post about the sauna but this may not be representative of swimmers’ views as the Instagram site, despite its title, is not well known by pond users and apparently has far more followers than the number of swimmers.

Many of the responses may have been from people who have not visited the pond. Also were they aware the sauna is expected charge users £10 on top of the entrance fee?

MARGARET DICKINSON
Co-Chair
Mixed Pond Association