Evening Sun Shines On Picnic At The Lido Celebrations

Published on: 21 Jun, 2013
Updated on: 31 Jul, 2013

Several hundred people enjoyed a glorious evening at Guildford Lido on Friday (June 21) to mark the 80th anniversary of the opening of this rather special open-air pool.

People enjoying the Picnic at the Lido on Friday, June 21, to mark its 80th birthday.

Held on exactly the same day of the year as when it was opened, Friday evening’s ceremony, led by the Mayor of Guildford, Diana Lockyer-Nibbs, recreated the official opening ceremony in 1933.

Guildford town crier David Peters.

This time around the formal proceedings started with Guildford’s town crier David Peters. He was following in his family’s tradition as his great grandfather, Albany Peters, was town crier in 1933.

Ann Tizzard, a Guildford swimming instructor for 27 years, who was a baby at the time of the lido's opening, but was taken there with her parents, and Alderman Bernard Parke, whose grandfather Councillor Joseph Parke was one of the dignitaries at the opening of the lido.

Ann Tizard, a Guildford swimming instructor for 27 years, was a baby at the time of the lido’s opening, but was taken there by her parents. Alderman Bernard Parke’s grandfather, Councillor Joseph Parke, was one of the dignitaries at the opening of the lido.

Among the borough councillors, aldermen and freemen present, was Alderman Bernard Parke, whose grandfather, independent councillor Joseph Parke, was also at the opening 80 years ago.

In re-enacting the event of 1933, the mayor spoke some of the same words as her counterpart, William Harvey, did all those years ago.

The Mayor of Guildford, Diana Lockyear-Nibbs, gets ready for her swim.

The Mayor of Guildford, Diana Lockyer-Nibbs, gets ready for her swim.

As then, a children’s rubber ring was thrown into the pool and the mayor took the first swim, followed by onlookers who had been standing at the poolside.

The mayor retrieves the rubber ring.

While many took the opportunity to have a dip in the pool, others gathered on the lido’s lawns to enjoy the picnics they had brought while listening to a jazz and swing band.

Taking a dip on a lovely summer’s evening.

A number of guests joined in the 1930s sprit and dressed in period clothes, some even in Thirties-style swimwear.

Freedom Leisure manages Guildford Lido on behalf of Guildford Borough Council. At Friday’s event, Freedom Leisure’s marketing manager Rob Price welcomed former manager of the lido Tim Hall and thanked current manager Angie Doyle for her many years’ service at the pool. He also paid tribute to the borough council’s parks department for the great job it does looking after the lido, and the help received by the Friends of Guildford Lido. Mr Price also mentioned the new slides that are currently being installed.

Enjoying their picnic 1930s-style, Guildford’s honorary remembrancer Matthew Alexander and his wife Henrietta.

In her speech, the mayor reminded those gathered of the lifelong legacy the building of the lido has been to the people of Guildford and surrounding villages.

She also spoke about Alderman William Harvey and his 1932 work fund that helped to provide employment for local people during the Depression and how many local men helped to build the lido.