The city of Leicester, history, next to the Statue of Liberty lies one of Leicester's best kept secrets; one of 8 historic Leicester Lidos. Chris Ayriss presents the history of Leicester through the eyes of the swimmer. This well loved bathing place built well out of site, to protect the modesty of the bathers. In the early days of modern swimming, working class boys swam everywhere. Jumping and diving the commotion continued all summer long. The Bedehouse was always packed during the summer - especially on a Sunday. Sadly all 8 of Leicester's Lidos are now closed, along with our five paddling pools. (Castle Gardens) The growth in Leicester's population was matched by an increasing interest in swimming and bathing. Matthew Web swam the channel in 1875, inspiring working class men and boys to swim like heroes. Leicester's association with bathing extends back to Roman times. Yet the Roman Baths were never intended for swimming. The river Soar was used as a swimming pool by the Romans. Leicester's Daniel Lambert taught boys to swim. It was hear that Leicester swimmer - John Jarvis - trained for the Paris Olympics in 1900 being the first triple gold medal winner. North Bridge Frog Island at the third lido on our tour, trouble was brewing. Before we all travelled into the city by car, workers walked into town and they couldn't help noticing the swimmers. Joseph Dare a middle class evangelist complained about the bathers. Abbey Park Lido, children could not resist a summertime dip in the river in the park.
Today it's hard to imagine just how popular river swimming was in Leicester. Attitudes have completely changed and we are now afraid to go swimming in natural waters. Swimming is forbidden at Leicester historic park lido by Leicester City Council.http://hungouttodry.co.uk/page26.htm Not everyone agrees with this -- The River and Lake Swimming Association along with the Outdoor swimming society are helping authorities to overcome fear and prejudice in order to allow swimmers to return to the wild. Here we see crowds coming to watch swimming events in the park on show days. The excitement then matched the enthusiasm we see at today's football matches. Quiet as the river now seems its swimming history lives on in the memories of Leicester's swimmers and in photographs. In Leicester we proudly display our history in museums across the city. Yet our swimming heritage is hidden away perhaps we are embarrassed by it? Further along the River we come to the National Space Centre. And just behind it we find the remains of Abbey Meadows Bathing Station. Bathers were charge to swim in waters heated by The Pumping Station. Leicester Lido in Humberstone brought great delight to the citizens of Leicester. Kenwood Lido in Knighton was a day trip destination during the sunbathing era. You may be wondering why a city so full of swimming history hides it from public view? To find out and to have your eyes opened to the impact that swimming has had on your life and culture, read: HUNG OUT TO DRY Swimming and British Culture, by Chris Ayriss. Available from all good book shops and online at http://hungouttodry.co.uk
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