Here’s the link:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/surrey/hi/people_and_places/history/newsid_8751000/8751094.stm

“Things are going swimmingly for one of the more unusual members of Surrey Chambers of Commerce, Guildford City Swimming Club.

Founded in 1889 by a local youth Maurice Quittenden, the Club moved to Castle Street Baths from the Guildford Boathouse, where it stayed for 70 years. After World War 1, swimming resumed with the formation of a junior section, and a new pavilion was built for river swimming in 1921, the first time women were allowed to compete at a gala. Affiliation to Surrey came in 1931 and in 1934 (Edit: 1933) the Guildford Lido was opened.

The Southern Counties 220 yards and 440 yards championships were held at the Lido in 1946, and the Club organised the first Surrey Constabulary Gala in 1949. An influx of children in the 1940s and 50s necessitated an extra hour on Club Nights, with water polo played on the river on two other evenings.

In 1954 agreement was reached on a winter season, and in 1957 fixtures were arranged with Woking, Farnham, Aldershot, Redhill & Reigate, and Epsom. In 1971 the new pool at Bedford Road was opened and in 1993 Guildford City moved to its current home at the Spectrum Leisure Centre. Since May 1998 Chief Coach Richard Garfield, with his poolside management team, has helped the Club achieve unparalleled results, with swimmers being included in the Great Britain Squad and World Class Squad. Guildford City is now considered one of the top Clubs in Great Britain winning the National Speedo B Final in 2005. After winning the Speedo South East League, the club is now competing in the National Speedo A final and recently won the Surrey County Championships with almost twice the points of its nearest opponents”.

Taken from http://www.surrey-chambers.co.uk/members_news.php?memID=190

On the 1^st May I headed off to Guildford for an early morning radio interview with BBC Surrey regarding my upcoming “Channel Swim” attempt. I decided that after my interview I would head down to Guildford Lido to train for a couple of hours, as this was the first day it was open to the public this year.

Whilst in my car and listening to BBC Surrey Radio, I heard of the charity “Channel swim” organised by Jim and so on arrival at the Lido I thought I would go and introduce myself. I was made very welcome by those involved, and was subsequently invited to join in with the task of completing the channel distance. Amongst so many fantastic and dedicated swimmers, I thought I’d better rise to their challenge and offered to complete 6km for them.

Although not the fastest of swimmers, I did “grind out” my 120 lengths and continued to do a few more to complete a 2 hour training swim. The pool was fantastic, the water warm and fantastic quality and the weather held out (I didn’t even notice that it rained for a period of time whilst I was swimming).  

I was immediately captivated by the Lido, and although not swimming there since a child (over 25 years) I knew I would be back very soon. True to my word, I have found the early morning opening times great for when I’m not trudging around a lake. Mondays and Fridays at 6.30, the pool is quiet (well at least at the moment) and great for carrying out various sprints, stroke technique and long distance sets without bumping into people. And the showers are lovely and warm……….Hugh.

We are very pleased that Hugh is supporting and enjoying the Lido and  even more pleased to help Hugh in any way we can to boost his fundraising for his 2 chosen charities: 

CICRA – Crohn’s In Childhood Research Association and the NACC – National Association of Colitis and Crohn’s 

If you would like to know more about Hugh’s big swim, please visit www.hughsbigswim.com 

 Hugh has kindly agreed to keep us up to date on his training over the next few months, check the link on the right for further news.

Guildford Lido
Lido 7: Sunday 10th. June 2007
We arrived at Guildford Lido to be greeted by a very friendly lifeguard who let us in for free as we were swimming for Save the Children. What a wonderful pool: feels like I’ve died and gone to heaven: 50 metres long, water quality excellent.

It had well cared for grass terraces set in 3 acres of landscaped gardens and seemed to represent a charm of a bygone age. Many people including families were picnicking, sunbathing or just lazing around in the pool. The whole place was immaculate and the staff and patrons clearly took a real pride in the place. We completed our mile swim in good time, around 25 minutes for Dave and 28 minutes for me (well he is younger than me!). We got out to a super cup of coffee from the cafe and Sally took the obligatory photo for the record. Great part of the day!

“Following the success of my debut swim on Saturday 1st May, during which I did 50 lengths and having seen the location of the 2 fountains, I would like to propose that when funding permits a phased restoration of the fountains to their original glory and splendour be undertaken as I was informed that they are fully restorable as all the original pipework is still in situ. Although the bases remain nothing of the fountains themselves remains, and replicas of the originals would have to be made.

It would be interesting if anyone has any photos of the original fountains, which is essential if exact replicas are to be reconstructed. Regarding materials it can be done the traditional way in stone (as a new replica fountain was made in this way for TINSIDE LIDO PLYMOUTH. The other alternative (which is less expensive) is for replica fountains to be reconstructed in FLUME QUALITY GRP (the material from which waterslides are made) as this has been used to replicate architectural features to great effect the standard being so good it is impossible to tell it is not real stone!

 Regarding the Heritage aspect of this idea, the changing huts appear to be original 1930s and what about the shelter opposite the playground? Is this 1930s? And what of the pool itself, this appears to be original?

I know this is quite an undertaking but it could be done, this is something we could raise funds for throughout the year with sponsored swims etc! We could begin THE GUILDFORD LIDO FOUNTAIN RESTORATION APPEAL. “