Friends of Guildford Lido

We swim with legends

janetta — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 11:59:18 +0000

Next time you’re taking a swim in the Lido (only 10 days of this season left, but hey, who’s counting?) you could well be sharing the pool with a Channel Swimming legend, our very own Jim Boucher. Not only has he crossed it solo once – more than most swimmers can ever dream of doing, it’s not called the Everest of swims for nothing – he’s now done it twice.

A remarkable achievement, read Jim’s account here:

http://www.h2openmagazine.com/readers-swims/jim-bouchers-second-english-channel-crossing.html

AGM & new Working Party

janetta — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 06:46:55 +0000

Whilst we’re waiting for the AGM minutes to be posted (sometime next week when holidays are over & we’re able to get them up) we want to share this.

The main issue concerned the future of FOGL which came into being in its current form against the context of the rethink, by GBC, of the financing of its Leisure Services and, as an extreme case, the possible closure of the Lido. The AGM felt the immediate future of the Lido is now secure, based on communications from GBC and the new operator (Freedom Leisure). FOGL now has an opportunity to re-think its purpose and to re-establish itself as the primary source of consultation with FL and to build a relationship that sees the Lido develop and flourish to the satisfaction of all parties.

The present FOGL committee is now suspending its role and activities in favour of a working party tasked with:
• Meeting with GBC stakeholders
• Deciding upon a meeting agenda and options for discussion with Freedom Leisure
• Communicating with the FOGL members
• Facilitating a presentation by Freedom Leisure to FOGL members, possibly including an end of season event
• Formalising a new structure at an EGM, nominally November 2011 The working group comprises: Janetta Bensouilah, Rebeca Mallard, Philip Griffiths, John Worgan, Jim Boucher. Any FOGL wishing to make inputs and suggestion should contact Janetta via the website

2011 AGM

janetta — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 06:39:13 +0000

The Friends of Guildford Lido are holding the 2011 AGM on Tuesday 9th August at 8pm.

The meeting will be held in a room at Spectrum Leisure Centre. All are welcome to come along.

£30,000 raised for Help for Heroes at the Lido

janetta — Sat, 18 Jun 2011 07:40:44 +0000

I wanted to thank you for all your help with our 2swim4life event at Guildford Lido on 30 April/1st May . We had the most enjoyable time in the fabulous setting of Guildford lido and it was lovely meeting so many people from all professional and swimming disciplines. Your part enabled us to raise a final total of £30,000. 00 for Help For Heroes, which I have asked to be dedicated to Battleback. We were so happy to be associated with you and were pleased that you were able to assist us – we couldn’t have done it without your help .

Best regards, Lesley Zimmerman

2swim4life co-ordinator

New operator announced

janetta — Sat, 18 Jun 2011 07:36:46 +0000

Details of the GBC decision on the new operator can be found here:

http://www.guildford.gov.uk/article/8404/New-operator-for-sports-and-leisure-facilities?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Morning swims

janetta — Sat, 04 Jun 2011 10:02:07 +0000

A quick reminder that there are morning lane sessions on Saturdays & Sundays 9-10am for those who want to enjoy the pool before the public session, especially useful on hot days when the place gets busy.

There are also the fabulous early sessions on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays 7.30-10am. There’s no better way to start your day.

2Swim4Life event kicks off the season

janetta — Mon, 02 May 2011 08:55:36 +0000

Wow, the amazing 2Swim4Life challenge was hosted at the Lido on Saturday and it was truly an amazing sight and fantastic achievement by the swimmers taking part. To see the pool being ploughed up and down all night by swimmers, overseen by Russell and his team was something the Lido hasn’t seen before.

We’ll post more details soon plus photos, but right now, we’re in recovery mode as the 24miles have taken it out of some of us !

Pool opens this Saturday

janetta — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 08:33:51 +0000

Only a couple of days to wait before the Lido opens for the season.

The Mayor will officially open it at 9am, season ticket holders can get in and have their first swims of the season from 9.30am before the pool opens to the public at 10.30am.

The 2Swim4Life 24hour swim challenge that is taking place in half the pool starts at 9.30am and ends 24 hours later on Sunday morning. The challenge is set to raise thousands for Help for Heroes, both through the sponsorship efforts of those taking part and the sale throughout the day of merchandise and raffle tickets. Please come along and enjoy an early season swim, show your support of the Lido, the swimmers and the charity. It’ll be a great day for all!

Opening Day

janetta — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 09:27:50 +0000

The pool will be open in under 2 weeks. Opening day is Saturday 30th April. Season-ticket holders can get in an hour before everyone else for their swim, so if you haven’t yet got yours for the season, might be worth popping along in the next week or so to get maximum benefit. Available from the Lido or Spectrum.

The 2Swim4Life event is shaping up to be a fantastic opener to what we hope will be a busy and successful season for the Lido. During the day, the event will be held in half the pool, whilst the remaining half is for everyone else to enjoy. Then when the pool closes to the public in the evening, it will continue on through the night using the whole pool and the 24 hour swimmers will be joined by those aiming for the lesser (although still amazing) 12 hour overnight swim.

Throughout the event, Help for Heroes merchandise will be available to purchase along with raffle tickets, and we hope the event raises a fantastic amount of money for the charity.

If anyone has an hour or two to spare to help make teas and other hot drinks, count lengths and generally lend a hand, please make yourselves known to us either via email, or on the day. We especially need a bit of extra help in the wee small hours, so any night owls amongst you who are looking to while away a few hours being useful, we’d love to see you!

Volunteers needed

janetta — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 18:13:13 +0000

Not long to go now till the Opening Day and we need lots more volunteers to help out with the 2Swim4Life Event in aid of Help for Heroes.

People will be needed throughout the day & night to make teas & hot drinks, count lengths, chat to the swimmers & offer them support and help when they’re out the pool between their miles and anything else the organisers need a hand with. Lots of people have kindly said they’ll be happy to come along and offer some time, but we need more.

If you can donate just a little bit of time, please do get in touch either with us here via email, with Russell (Russell.Atkins@guildford.gov.uk) at the Lido, or Lesley Zimmerman the fabulous woman behind the 2Swim4Life event (lesleyzimmerman@2swim4life.co.uk).

The event has been getting loads of coverage in the swimming community both here and abroad, all fantastic publicity for the Lido right at the start of the season.