90 years ago, the Corporation Swimming Pool now the Peterborough Lido was officially opened on the 28th May 1936. Last weekend we celebrated its 90 years with a Big Birthday Weekender. Organised by PCHLL Vivacity Marketing team who organised a wonderful programme of events.
After months of work and preparation for this weekend, from the Vivacity Lido Marketing team, the Friends of Peterborough Lido (FoPL) gardening volunteers and FoPL Committee Members, who then helped throughout the weekend by selling the FoPL book, 90 years of Peterborough Lido and Vivacity Lido memobilia as well as meeting and greeting visitors as they arrived.
Click on a photo to enlarge it or to scroll through a gallery.
The Big Birthday Weekend Part 1
Friday 29th May: The morning swimming session was especially busy and although not officially part of the weekend programme, there was an atmosphere of excited anticipation of the celebrations ahead and some rather special meetings took place.
A group of ladies arrived, all had been champion swimmers during the 1970’s. They had hoped to enjoy the weekends celebrations, unfortunately though, the only day they were all free was the Friday. The morning reunion was very special for all involved including mother and daughter Sue Cole and Pamela Cole, Nee Hornsby, Liz Rose nee Rollings, Corinne James nee Berrisford and Helen North nee Allpress, all of whom had spent their teenage years swimming at the Lido with the Peterborough Swimming Cub (COPS). They had arranged a reunion at the Lido to reminisce and share their Lido experiences together. Bill Marriott, one of our FoPL members, also a veteran champion swimmer and COPS team captain during the those early years, came along to meet the group. Many personal memories were shared that morning by these old friends; among them Helen who recalled one particular memory when she had encouraged her swimming pal, Ann to bring along her younger brother, Brian to the Lido. Brian, proved to be such a strong swimmer and soon began winning medals, not only at local level, but at national and international level too, going on to win the 1972 and 1976 Olympic Games. He is Brian Brinkley OLY MBE who became the first official swimming coach for the COPS.
Helen had made contact with Brian who together with another vintage swimmer Nick Elliot joined the happy party. Shortly after Steve Simmons, a past member of COPS and a member of Brian’s 1987 English Channel swim relay team, arrived. They all had a wonderful morning reliving memories together, enjoying the Lido’s atmosphere and looking through their photographs, scrapbooks and memorabilia. Pamela was especially excited when she saw an image of her younger self on the newly transformed changing room doors which showcase the life at the Lido over 90 years.
The magical midnight swim.
The evening saw the official launch of weekend celebrations with an ever-popular Midnight Swim. At 7pm the gates opened and there was a buzz of excitement with the sound of laughter and water splashing as swimmers arrived. As dusk approached the festival lights and music enhanced the magic of swimming under the stars and a glorious waxing moon. Young and old attended that night to join in the party atmosphere.
John Parker of the Peterborough Sub Aqua Club had once again helped to clean the pool that day and was busy putting the finishing touches to an interesting display in the club room on the balcony under the clock tower. The display was open throughout the weekend for visitors to take a look and learn more about Peterborough Sub Aqua Club and see a small collection of Dive memorabilia.
The Sub Aqua club display in their meeting room under the clock tower
The Big Birthday Weekend Part 2
Saturday 30th May: The weather couldn’t have been better with sunshine, blue sky and a light breeze it was pleasant after a week of heatwave temperatures. The atmosphere was just as electric as the previous evening as the sun terraces and poolside began to come alive with Peterborough Swimming Club, (COPS) officials, young people, families and past and present COPS members for the Family Fun Gala. The Gala attracted people from all generations young people, adults and veteran swimmers all ready to participate in the various races. The wonderful sounds and scene were reminiscent of the pictures of those very early year Galas from the 1930s. Even Bill, our 90-year-old member, signed up to race and with his sleek racing dive in lane 4 of the men’s 50m freestyle he certainly held his own and demonstrated clearly that age is no barrier to swimming.
In the early afternoon, there was a small official Birthday party and cake cutting attended by Council Leader Cllr, Dr Shabina Qayyum, MP for Peterborough Andrew Pakes, Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Paul Bristow, Peterborough Mayor Cllr Chris Harper, Chief Operating Officer of Peterborough Positive Pep Cipriano, staff from PCHLL/ Vivacity and representatives from Friends of Peterborough Lido.
The party atmosphere continued with an afternoon Pool Party with a programme of entertainment on the lawn. Swimmers continued to enjoy the water, others found their spot to picnic at the tables, on blankets on the terraces or lawn. Children could take part in paint and craft activities in the shaded area by the café. Provided by Noughts and Crosses.
Local groups and bands provided the afternoon and evening entertainment from an open-air stage on the lawn. First on stage was the Palmy Ukulele Band with their own cover versions of popular sing along tunes from the 60’s to 2000s and beyond. The dancing had begun and this joyful start to the afternoon was followed by dancing to local bands Dusk til Dawn, 1960s to current covers band, The Contacts, a Motown, Northern and 70’s soul band and finally the ever-popular Groove Cartell, a Funk, Soul & Motown band. Everyone joined in with Groove Cartell to sing Happy Birthday to the Lido. It was certainly a night to remember for all.
Big Birthday Weekend Part 3
Sunday the 30th: The morning started once again with bright sunshine and pleasant breeze. Swimmers arrived with eager anticipation to be entertained by the incredibly talented guitarist, Steve Bean. Steve who is a regular early morning Lido swimmer himself. This somehow made the whole experience of his performance even more special for those who know him as a fellow Lido lover. It was a wonderful experience to swim to the sound of classical guitar and so relaxing. At the end of Steve’s set, everyone on poolside and in the pool and gave him a round of applause and remarked on how nice it would be to have the experience again.
Celebrations continued Sunday afternoon with family fun, including a fancy-dress or best dressed competition and more live music. First up was U3A Ukulele Band for whom this was their first public performance and the added fun encouraging the audience to join in the singing. A roving microphone was passed to willing participants, with a set of lyrics, and a lot of fun was had by all. The GB Home Guard Band followed beginning their first set with their rendition of the classic Disney track, When You Wish Upon A Star and including a selection of rousing marches, songs from well-known musicals and a rather unique and comical performance by one of their trombonists who had the audience in fits of laughter. Gabriella Pineda Rodrigues then performed a variety of songs from her repertoire including pop opera, showtunes, 40s/vintage and Disney tunes. The GB Home Guard Band then returned to the stage and invited audience participants to the front to play along with a range of percussion instruments. What a fabulous fun way to close the final evening of the Big Birthday Weekender with many happy memories made.
What a great weekend it was…truly memorable. Celebrated in style with three days full of pride, nostalgia and excitement. We owe grateful thanks to PCHLL Vivacity Marketing Team, Nina and Claire. To Sam the Operations Manager and her team, especially the hard working team of lifeguards, to our former chair, Clare, for the great photographs she took throughout the three days, to the Lido cafe team, to all the great volunteers who helped the weekend go smoothly, to all the musicians who entertained everyone over the weekend and most of all to the community who attended making the weekend so successful.
A final selection of images from a perfect celebratory weekend
