File:Hyde Park (6853353480).jpg

Summary

A pre WW2 photograph of Hyde Park Lido also known as Lansbury's Lido, named after George Lansbury the Commissioner of Works at the time of opening in 1929. Sergeant Edward Owen describes bathing in the Serpentine, in an earlier age. "Of course most people who come to the Park of an evening are aware of the swarm of small boys who assemble on the bathing ground (or space), some four hundred yards allotted for that purpose on the south shore, who have been waiting hours before the time, especially after a hot day in July ; (they come in droves and batches from all quarters of London) anxiously looking for the signal to plunge in-and this signal was the approach of the Royal Humane Society boats from the opposite side of the water, exactly at half-past seven, to be in readiness to render assistance to any of the bathers that may be in danger of drowning-three as a rule, one at each end of the boundary and one in the centre. I assure you it is no easy job for the police a few minutes before the approach of these boats to keep them from undressing and plunging in, the eagerness of the young rascals being so great. When I say “undressing” I mean stripping off what little they have on-the word is superfluous, for to keep them from undressing long before the time was a matter of impossibility; It appeared a certain amount of gratification to them to undress, and it was only with firmness and intimidation of sending them away altogether that they could be prevailed upon to squat about with even their shirts on. We usually supplied ourselves with a light stick or cane, and shook it at them in a threatening manner, occasionally impressing upon them the fact that they would get a taste of it, if they did not behave themselves, or we should have been overrun; and even when the boats did appear, and the shout went up-“All in!” I have been in a state of suspense while the boats were coming across, as in sheer excitement the smaller ones were so apt to get out of their depth. But it is surprising-owing, I believe, to the promptness and watchfulness of the R.H.S.’s boatmen under Mr. Supt Horton-that very few casualties happen; and when you come to consider, three men have to keep at this particular rush (I don’t think I shall be exaggerating) between six and seven hundred bathers, young and old, under their observation, I think you will admit all credit is due to this Society. A scene of excitement now takes place, the splashing, laughing and yelling one to another in their intense delight for the First few minutes are perfectly deafening, and is heard almost all over the Park; many, I am sure, hear this din and wonder where it proceeds from. After the bathe and the excitement are over, then comes the dressing business, and often trouble with it, for I have frequently known a youngster’s neighbour take a fancy for his superior pair of boots, leaving his inferior pair instead, and often not even that consideration shown, to say nothing of the squabbles one with another brought about by the intermixing of each other’s clothing. So much for evening bathing. Just a little about the morning-that takes place from five to eight o’clock, all the year round. This may be doubted, so far as the attendance is concerned, but it is actually true, for, frost or no frost, there are an exceptional few elderly bathers who come regularly and have their morning dip; even should the ice be ever so thick, they manage to keep a sufficient space so as to have a plunge at this one particular spot. I have often seen them with a drag pole breaking the ice which had frozen since the morning before. There is also the Christmas morning swimming race by members of the Serpentine Swimming Club, of course weather permitting; what I mean to say is, let the weather be ever so rough and cold, if the frost has not been too severe and the course is clear of ice, the race comes off-about a hundred yards, I believe, and quite far enough too, for the competitors are very glad to get out and dress; they have plenty of attendance from their friends, who supply them with liberal drinks of hot rum and milk to drive the cold out. If any of my readers have any doubt as to the authenticity of this race taking place (it certainly sounds incredible), I would refer them to the Sporting Life newspaper or the Secretary of the S.S.C., Mr. Rowlly, and they will soon be assured on the matter. The summer morning bathing is much more pleasant to stand about and witness. I have seen some fine short distance handicap races given there by the above club during bathing hours. Some of my readers may remember Dave Ainsworth, the champion short distance swimmer, an old member of the S.S.C. Of course he was always scratch man in a race. I have seen the limit man in a hundred yards race apparently within twenty yards of the winning flag before the starter, with watch in hand, has given Dave the word “Go.” He has gone off the diving plank like an arrow, and ploughed through the water after the style of a little steam launch-pass a dozen, and nearly, if not quite, win. I have witnessed these races many times with great interest. A race introduced since my time, but most certainly worthy of mention for its humane idea, is the Lord Howard de Walden’s “Clothes Race” (everything on-no undressing); it is generously encouraged with prizes given by that nobleman and also by Mr. Burdett Coutts. Other gentlemen also present prizes to be competed for in the ordinary races. Last, but not least, is a handsome cup presented annually by the proprietors of The Daily Telegraph newspaper, known as the “Daily Telegraph Cup.” I may add the police are always on duty there during bathing hours, to see that the rules of the Park are not infringed".

Licensing

Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.