Lido lovers mark 90th birthday of 'city's jewel'

2 hours ago

Shariqua Ahmed

Pat Hemsley, 79, said Peterborough Lido had given her family "terrific memories"

Peterborough City Council Pat Hemsley, who is wearing a navy blue coat and a blue jumper, standing by the poolside. She is smiling at camera. — Pat Hemsley, 79, said Peterborough Lido had given her family "terrific memories"

A city's lido is celebrating its 90th birthday.

The Grade II listed Art Deco pool in Peterborough opened in 1936 and has survived several threats of closures and even a World War Two bombing.

This year, mechanical covers have been installed at the lido on Bishop's Road, which opened for the 2026 season on 28 March - two months earlier than in 2025.

Pat Hemsley, 79, said it had been a "privilege" for four generations of her family to have enjoyed swimming there, adding it had given them "terrific memories".

Peterborough Lido on its opening day in 1936

Friends of Peterborough Lido A black and white image of the Lido building with people queuing outside. — Peterborough Lido on its opening day in 1936

"My dad, who was 15 at the time, was at the opening day in 1936. He had watched it being built and was an avid swimmer ever since," Hemsley said.

"He also met mum here.

"My first memory of the lido was when I was six or seven years old. Mum and dad encouraged me to do my first length.

"So, dad got into the pool with me at the deep end and mum stood at the shallow end and I was encouraged all the way along.

"I also came here to the lido as a schoolgirl. I was at Eastholme School, which was down the road.

"We came no matter the weather, there was no heating then. Terrific memories.

"My children continued this and what a huge privilege [it was] to do it with my grandchildren.

"I often think when I am swimming here: my dad doesn't know it, but four generations of his family have really enjoyed every minute of fun and life at the pool."

The outdoor heated pool on Bishop's Road opened on 28 March for the 2026 season

Vivacity Peterborough Large outdoor swimming pool with a two-storey green building in the background. — The outdoor heated pool on Bishop's Road opened on 28 March for the 2026 season

Operators Vivacity said several events had been planned for the celebrations, including an exhibition about the lido's history at Peterborough Museum from 16 April.

Friends of Peterborough Lido said a commemorative book with archive images and personal stories from swimmers past and present had also gone on display.

Sales of the book will help raise funds for the lido, originally known as the Corporation Swimming Pool.

Peterborough photographer Chris Porsz thinks he took this picture in the 1980s

Chris Porsz Picture of the lido- a yellow-ish building with a green roof with grass in front of it, with The Lido written in red at the front of the building. — Peterborough photographer Chris Porsz thinks he took this picture in the 1980s

Mark Fishpool, 69, said his parents had visited the pool in the 1940s and 50s.

His first visit to the Lido had been in 1964, he recalled.

"It was the go-to place for young people to meet others around that time," he said.

Peterborough photographer and paramedic Chris Porsz remembered the lido being "packed with long queues" in the 1970s.

He said: "It was a fun place and people would have picnics on the green grass outside.

"I remember there used to be three diving boards at the lido.

"The top one was really high. One day I remember standing on it and deciding if I want to jump off it [or not] and there was a queue behind me waiting for me to go.

"I decided not to in the end. It was quite scary, I thought."

The 73-year-old said a lot of people of his generation had memories of Walter Cornelius, regarded as a Peterborough legend, who worked as a lifeguard.

Known as a "strongman", he had originally been from Latvia and had arrived in Peterborough during the Cold War.

"He was a character and a great swimmer," said Porsz.

Porsz's daughter, Emma, also worked as a lido lifeguard in the 1990s, he said.

The west wing of the Lido was damaged in June 1940

Friends of Peterborough Lido A black and white image of the lido, with a damaged frontage. — The west wing of the Lido was damaged in June 1940

Bill Marriott, who has just turned 90, is an active swimmer and a member of the Friends of Peterborough Lido.

He has attended the opening day of most seasons, usually dressed in a vintage 1930s costume.

His many swimming medals and trophies have been loaned to Peterborough Museum for the forthcoming lido exhibition.

In 2025, Vicky King formed the Peterborough Lido Belles, a group of women who dress up in retro-themed costumes

Vicki King, 64, said she felt "very passionate" about the lido, which she described as the city's "crown jewel".

"It's just beautiful. I'm standing here now and I just think, 'Oh God, it's so lovely'", she said.

King campaigned to save the Lido in 1992, and continues to fight for its survival.

"I met my first love here, Chris Allen. God bless him. He died a couple of weeks ago. This place is my life," she added.

"When I come out of here, I'm on top of the world, I feel so good."

Megan Studholme-Dooley is part of Peterborough Lido Belles

Megan Studholme-Dooley A selfie-style picture of Megan Studholme-Dooley, who is wearing a red polka-dot swimming costume and a floral hat. She is standing on the edge of the pool. — Megan Studholme-Dooley is part of Peterborough Lido Belles

Megan Studholme-Dooley was a lido lifeguard in the 1990s. She said it had been part of her family since it opened.

"Having this open fills my heart with joy. I love this place so much," she said.

"My grandad swam and played water polo for the police.

"I have worked there myself and met my best friend there in 1990 - we were both lifeguards. I met my husband there too.

"Swimming in here, whatever the weather, seeing that big sky and the trees, the soothing of the water and that tingly feeling you get when you get out is my therapy."